Mahakiki

Each year, Hālau Kū Māna honors Makahiki by hosting a three-day celebration that marks the start of the Lono season. This gathering brings together students, educators, ʻohana, alumni, neighbors, and community partners in a shared space of unity and celebration. The event is made possible through the commitment of volunteers and the generosity of families and community members who contribute their time, labor, and resources.

Makahiki at Hālau Kū Māna includes ceremonial protocols that ground participants spiritually and establish intentions for the coming year, along with hula performances honoring the season. The community collectively engages in preparation, learning, pāʻani (games), and pū paʻakai kākou, creating opportunities for intergenerational learning and the transmission of cultural knowledge. These shared experiences strengthen relationships and reinforce values of abundance, balance, and collective responsibility.

Through the continued practice of Makahiki, Hālau Kū Māna actively restores and sustains Hawaiian cultural traditions. This work extends beyond a single event, supporting the decolonization of school practices and calendars while affirming cultural identity and a commitment to ʻike Hawaiʻi.

With funding support, the school can continue to ensure meaningful participation from families and the broader community, and, importantly, provide compensation to the cultural practitioners and community members who have long contributed their time and expertise. This support honors their labor and acknowledges the essential role they play in sustaining these practices.