Hawaiian Culture Initiative Action Plan:

The Hawaiian Culture Initiative (HCI) is one of nine initiatives of the Hawai`i Tourism Strategic Plan (TSP) 2005 – 2015. Developed by the Hawai'i Tourism Authority, the TSP represents a shared vision for a sustainable, responsible, and successful tourism industry. HCI’s overarching goal is to honor and perpetuate the Hawaiian culture and community.

The Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association (NaHHA) was named as the lead organization for the HCI. NaHHA’s first priority was to gather information and points of view from all stakeholders to create an informed Action Plan for actualizing the HCI. Numerous outreach efforts occurred including community meetings on all islands, individualized industry meetings, focus groups, special sessions, and the NaHHA Tourism Conference.

During this process it became clear that there were many diverse viewpoints about tourism, its impacts on Hawai`i, and Hawaiian culture. Yet, there also were many common areas of concern. The Action Plan includes forty-five (45) Actions to fulfill the HCI objectives, and represents a cross-section of stakeholder input. The Action Plan is an effort to integrate and perpetuate Hawaiian culture, historic perspective, and values throughout the state's tourism industry.

What is NaHHA’s role with the Action Plan?

1)  Promote the Plan: Make the Action Plan available to relevant stakeholders and the public;
2)  Explain and debate the Action Items: Facilitate meetings with various stakeholders to discuss      Actions and communicate which recommended Actions are underway;
3)  Gain commitment from proposed Lead Organizations or other entities to “champion”      recommended Actions;
4)  Support Lead Organizations or other entities in developing strategies and implementing Actions;
5)  Measure progress and evaluate implementation periodically;
6)  Continuously recruit new supporters and Lead Organizations; and,
7)  Re-focus and adjust priorities as we move forward.

View full Hawaiian Culture Initiative Action plan (PDF, 3.8Mb)

Huki Like `Ana - A Call to Action:

Huki Like `Ana - A Call to Action is a report of recommendations that came primarily from members of the Hawaiian community. There were other contributors in smaller numbers including personnel from government agencies, members of the visitor industry, and supporters of Hawaiian interests from other ethnic groups. These recommendations have been incorporated into the Action Plan along with other stakeholder input.

View full Huki Like Ana – A Call to Action (PDF, 3.2Mb)

• Keep informed about latest efforts between the Hawaiian community and the visitor industry through NaHHA's electronic newsletter, Ku`i Ka Pahu
  
• If you are a Hawaiian organization or visitor industry business, contact us to participate in a program that links business with community organizations in mutually beneficial partnerships
  
• Learn what members of the Hawaiian community have recommended about host culture and tourism in the Huki Like `Ana - A Call to Action document
  
• Join Kalo Kanu o ka `Aina - a group made up of Hawaiians and supporters that work in tourism - to share, learn and perpetuate Hawaiian culture, and support efforts for Hawaiians to become involved in the industry
  
• Support the Hawaiian Culture Initiative Action Plan and participate in championing recommended actions.
  

The issue of cultural training with relevance to the visitor industry is of great interest to NaHHA. We feel fortunate to have an opportunity to present Ola Hawai`i as one of several opportunities that addresses this issue.

Ola Hawai`i is a two-part project. First, we will develop a cultural training curriculum for workshop application, and second, we will establish an apprenticeship program for Native Hawaiians who will gain the credentials to conduct Ola Hawai`i workshops throughout the visitor industry. The content of Ola Hawai`i integrates leadership and industry concepts with Hawaiian history, language, sense of place, and cultural practices and beliefs. The intent is to help impact industry operations and hospitality services through employee development, which will translate into an enhanced experience for our guests visiting our Islands.

Ola Hawai`i apprenticeship program was launched in July 2007 with the selection of 14 instructor apprentices. The apprentices must attend approximately 82 hours of training sessions. By the end of Fall 2009, NaHHA will have at least 20 Native
Hawaiian Instructors qualified to conduct Ola Hawai`i leadership and cultural training workshops.

In the traditional kumu – haumana way of teaching and learning, we have as cultural and industry instructors Peter Apo, Tom Kaulukukui, Jr., and Ramsay Taum who will teach Ola Hawai`i. Collectively these three instructors have conducted hundreds of cultural training workshops in all segments of the visitor industry. Each of the instructor apprentices who successfully complete the sessions will be certified to conduct Ola Hawai`i for-fee workshops.

"O ke kahua mamua, mahope ke kukulu"
Learn first, then practice
(OLEO NO`EAU proverb no. 2459, pg. 268, Bishop Museum Press)
"Shaping the Future of Tourism: Expanding Opportunities for Native Hawaiians" is a three year project of collaboration and it was made possible through generous grants and in-kind donations.

For businesses, developers, and local community interested in training and consulting to perpetuate Hawaiian culture, values and traditions among their employees and managers, to bring a Hawaiian sense of place to their properties, or any other related needs, NaHHA can help you by referring an appropriate consultant.

We have staff members, consultants, business partners, and community associates who bring a wealth of experience, a variety of disciplines, and a multi-disciplinary approach to your projects.