Kūkulu Kumuhana O Anahola
Kūkulu Kumuhana: Pooling Strengths for a Shared Purpose
As expressed in Nana I Ke Kumu (Look to the Source), Vol. 1, this principle underscores the importance of coming together as a community, drawing upon our individual and collective strengths to achieve common goals.
Our name, Kūkulu Kumuhana O Anahola, emerged from this principle. We pool our collective strengths to create safe spaces that deter suicide, particularly within the Anahola Hawaiian community.
Our Why
Founded in response to tragic loss in 2008, our community experienced devastating loss with the deaths of three Anahola Hawaiian youth. We believe suicide can be prevented by trusting in the Paipala Hemolele (Holy Bible), remembering cultural values and traditions, strengthening the 'ohana through initiatives like the Agricultural Community Garden and Youth Center called Ulupono Anahola, providing suicide prevention training, and actively participating in community discussions to bring about positive changes.
Mission
KKOA's mission is to provide safe places and spaces to deter suicide by building life skills to strengthen one's identity through Hawaiian values, empowering individuals to manage their future successfully, and establishing a healthy, sustainable, thriving Hawaiian community.
Vision
We envision a thriving Hawaiian community free to express its authentic selves by encouraging the arts, both cultural and modern; utilizing new technologies to enhance the old; and establishing and managing a healthy and sustainable way of living.
Results
Since its inception, KKOA has been actively involved in the Anahola community by providing training classes for suicide prevention, hosting educational series for students and the community, building stronger 'ohana through events like outdoor movie nights, and providing essential support during times of crisis such as the Covid lockdown. Our efforts have resulted in tangible outcomes, including mobilizing teams to deliver thousands of meals and USDA/CSA boxes, partnering with organizations like Nourish Kaua’i to provide meal kits to the elderly, and securing licenses and completing assessments for community projects.
Together, let us embody the spirit of Kūkulu Kumuhana as we work towards our shared vision of a healthier, more resilient future for the Anahola community and beyond.
Our Logo
Artist Dondi Ho crafted KKOA's logo and shares “I painted a young budding ulu fruit, for it will take time to ripen and mature. Like the young ulu, let us nurture and strengthen the children to their full maturity, sending out plantings of trees bearing more blessed fruit.”
She expressed the connection and wisdom of Psalm 1:
"Blessed is the man... he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season."
Let's come together to cultivate a brighter future for our youth.
Our Goals
Building Life Skills
Empower Individuals
Strengthen Hawaiian Community
