This Summer Future Ancestors was able to grow our impact and reach through the generous support of Kamehameha Schools. For the first time we were able to work with students from 3 different Moku on Oʻahu and a hui of haumāna from Lānaʻi. Throughout the month of June these 65 Haumāna and 12 Kumu got a chance to explore their community with the intent of sharing waiwai with each other.

Through this learning experience our Future Ancestors were able to experience ‘Āina in both their own community and in communities many had never been. The most powerful part of the Program came on the last day of Future Ancestors in which we all gathered at Kalanihookaha Learning Center to learn about the life and moʻolelo of Lānaʻi! As we all stood in Piko together each hui shared an Oli of their place and I was reminded of the significance of the work we do to empower our next generation of Future Ancestors to reconnect with their place and each other to ensure a thriving Lāhui for generations to come!

Outcomes

• Provided summer learning opportunities for 68 students total, with 76% being of Native Hawaiian descent.

• Provided Culture-Based Learning Opportunities for 12 Kumu from four different kula including 3 Charter Schools and a Public School on the Island of Lānaʻi.

• Visited over 20 wahi pana across the state.

• Every haumāna that participated learned at least one Moʻolelo and one Oli rooted in their community.

• Through this process we have developed a network of Kumu who participated in this program together and are now sharing moʻolelo and overall support with each other.

• Students from different Kula and Moku were able to connect and develop friendships through this experience.

• Students who have had an opportunity to experience Our Future Ancestors program multiple times have taken their learning to the next level as evidenced by the video that a student created about their overall experience.

Purple Maiʻa has been blessed with the opportunity to continue to learn how to improve the Future Ancestors Program and we are excited to grow this movement into the future. We have plans to offer a Fall program for our Future Ancestors to carry on their growth and learning.