On behalf of the Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association (NaHHA), we extend our deepest gratitude to the Native Hawaiian community, the public and the visitor industry for their support and participation in the 2nd Annual Hoʻokipa Hawaiʻi Weekend, a two-day community and culture event.
We mahalo the Office of Native Hawaiian Relations, the Royal Hawaiian Center, and all of our incredible partners and sponsors who helped to uplift this gathering of more than 100 Kānaka Maoli entrepreneurs, cultural practitioners, demonstrators, speakers, haumāna, artisans, crafters, keiki, and logistics support services. NaHHA is also a proud recipient of an Office of Hawaiian Affairs’ Hoʻākoakoa Lāhui event sponsorship.
This year, we focused on continuous engagement on two stages and activated three floors leveraging Native Hawaiian partnerships with other nonprofit organizations such as INPEACE and their Kaulele Exhibit, with opportunities for sharing by 15 cultural practitioners in the Royal Grove at Helumoa, while growing circular economy best practices by showcasing over 60 Native Hawaiian-owned small businesses.
This event supports opportunities for the Native Hawaiian community to actively participate in tourism in ways that are beneficial to them, all while supporting a regenerative methodology mindset and best practices guided by the value of mālama and driving economic development for Native Hawaiians which reinforce our deep connections to our ʻohana, moʻomeheu, and ʻāina.
Hoʻokipa Hawaiʻi Weekend serves as a platform for cultural expression and preservation – ensuring that our practices, traditions, and values continue to thrive in spaces like Waikīkī, where our aliʻi envisioned Native Hawaiians as active participants in the evolving world, ensuring that we engage meaningfully with both malihini and kamaʻāina while maintaining the integrity of our Native Hawaiian cultural identity.
We know that our founders, Dr. George Kanahele and Sen. Kenny Brown, would have been proud to see visitors and kamaʻāina alike return to Waikīkī to experience Hawaiian culture in a safe, inclusive space – one that uplifts Native Hawaiians socially and economically. Through this event, NaHHA was able to demonstrate how cultural tourism can be a force for good ensuring economic empowerment, creating pathways for economic and community resilience, cultural sustainability, and social justice.
As we look ahead to hosting Hoʻokipa Hawaiʻi Weekend again in February 2026, we want to thank our community for continuing to participate in the important conversations that take place when one or more Kānaka gather! A heartfelt mahalo to everyone who came out to share their support, shop and enjoy company amongst friends and ʻohana.
Mahalo nui to our community members, cultural practitioners, Native Hawaiian small businesses, vendors, nonprofit partners and the entire logistics team who helped bring NaHHA’s vision to life. Our aloha is with every single one of you!
Mahalo, mahalo, mahalo from Team NaHHA.
To view highlights from Hoʻokipa Hawaiʻi Weekend 2025, visit www.nahha.com
Event Partners & Sponsors: Office of Native Hawaiian Relations, Royal Hawaiian Center, JSS By Design, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Southwest Airlines, First Hawaiian Bank, The Ritz-Carlton – Oʻahu Turtle Bay, Hawaiʻi Visitors and Convention Bureau, Waimea Valley – Hiʻipaka LLC, Kualoa Ranch, Maui Hotel & Lodging Association, NMG Network, INPEACE, Monkeypod Kitchen, Aulani – A Disney Resort & Spa, Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce, Elite Parking, Outrigger Resorts & Hotels, Highgate, The Kālaimoku Group, The Gay Agenda Collective, and ʻŌiwi TV
, we extend our deepest gratitude to the Native Hawaiian community, the public and the visitor industry for their support and participation in the 2nd Annual Hoʻokipa Hawaiʻi Weekend, a two-day community and culture event.){kind=link}