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Kūkulu Kumuhana 2024 Focuses on Self Determination and Spirituality

Last November, more than 80 representatives from Liliʻuokalani Trust and other Native Hawaiian-serving organizations gathered at the Ka Waiwai Collective in Mōʻiliʻili to share a deeper understanding of Ea (self-determination) and Ke Akua Mana (spirituality and sacredness of energy/mana).

This dynamic community is the force behind Kūkulu Kumuhana, a wellbeing framework centered on Native Hawaiian worldview. (Scroll to the bottom of this page for more information about the framework, and names of planning committee members.)

The goal of Kūkulu Kumuhana is to create new, radical knowledge based on the wisdom of Hawaiian ancestors, leading to fair and equitable outcomes for Native Hawaiian people (lāhui kanaka), past and present.

Ea and Ke Akua Mana — the focus of the 2024 program — represent two of six dimensions of Kūkulu Kumuhana.

The six dimensions are:

• Ea: Self-determination and agency
• ʻĀina Momona: Healthy and productive lands and people
• Pilina: Mutually sustaining relationships
• Waiwai: Ancestral abundance and collective wealth
• ʻŌiwi: Cultural identity and Native intelligence
• Ke Akua Mana: Spiritually and sacredness of mana

At the gathering, skilled practitioners from Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, and Hawaiʻi Island led workshops in the areas of art, board and stone, and mele to demonstrate how hana noʻeau (the arts) influence Ea and Ke Akua Mana.

Participants also listened to a panel discussion about Hoʻoponopono (conflict resolution), helping them understand the connection between the six dimensions and ʻike kupuna (ancestral knowledge).

We invite everyone to view this multimedia presentation (link below), featuring the 2024 Kūkulu Kumuhana event and Ea and Ke Akua Mana. We recommend turning on the volume while viewing.

Click here to view the 2024 Kukulu Kumuhana Report

* The goal of Kūkulu Kumuhana is to "create new and radical knowledge based on the wisdom of our ancestors that contributes to realizing just and equitable outcomes for present and future generations of our lāhui kanaka (Native Hawaiian people)."

*We express our gratitude to the following members who planned the Kūkulu Kumuhana gathering in 2024: Paula Morelli, Nina Murrow, Lisa Watkins-Victorino, Consuelo Foundation (Dawn Mahi, Kaui Nichols), Kamehameha Schools (Brandon Ledward, Wendy Kekahio), Lili’uokalani Trust (Kathy Tibbetts, Pālama Lee, Penn Pantumsinchai, Jaysha Alonzo-Estrada), Office of Hawaiian Affairs (Carla Hostetter, Keith Gutierrez), Pacific American Foundation (Herb Lee), Papa Ola Lokahi (Samantha Scott, Melissa Kahili-Heede), and The Queen’s Health System (Kanilehua Kim).