Maui County offers grants to protect cultural resources, strengthen connections to Hawaiian knowledge
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The Maui County Department of ʻŌiwi Resources is encouraging nonprofits working to protect Maui Nui's cultural resources and strengthen community connections to Hawaiian knowledge to apply for grant funding.
The county said the amount of funding for each division will be determined once the applications have been reviewed, but the average amount awarded is expected to range from $25,000 to $50,000. Applications will be accepted from July 31 through Aug. 31.
Maui Huliau Foundation, ʻĀinakūkoʻa o Waiohuli Kai
Maui Huliau Foundation’s ʻĀinakūkoʻa o Waiohuli Kai program is among previous recipients of Maui County Department of ʻŌiwi Resources grant funding. Photo courtesy Maui County
A free informational webinar set for 11 a.m. Aug. 11 is intended to help applicants navigate the process. People may register for the webinar at mauicounty.gov/oiwiresources.
Grant funding will be awarded under each of the department's divisions, along with a new grant funding category.
• Kīpuka Division -- ʻŌiwi Strongholds: To safeguard and steward lands of concentrated natural and cultural importance to ensure enduring access to healthy natural resources and spaces where our community may thrive.
• Kumuwaiola Division -- ʻŌiwi Resources: To champion and preserve the life-giving, life-sustaining elements of the natural world by defending and amplifying the conditions to ecocultural landscapes and vital native cultural resources.
• Pai Ka Leo Division -- ʻŌiwi Voices: To revive and reinvigorate the use of Hawaiian language in government and in our larger community in sincerity and fidelity to both official languages of Hawaiʻi -- ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi and English.
The county said a new grant funding category with a maximum request of $2,500 will be available for fiscal year 2027 as well.
Kūikawā Grants are special community grants that support cultural events, educational workshops and community activities celebrating Native Hawaiian history and culture. One example provided would be an event or activities that celebrate Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian Language Month), which is observed in February.
For more information, call (808) 270-6170 or email oiwigrants@co.maui.hi.us.
Ke Ao Hāliʻi
The Ke Ao Hāliʻi program is among previous recipients of Maui County Department of ʻŌiwi Resources grant funding. Photo courtesy Maui County