$210K OHA grant supports fellowship through E Ala E Hawaiian Cultural Center

E Ala E Hawaiian Cultural Center was awarded a $210,000 grant from Office of Hawaiian Affairs to support Native Hawaiian young adults and emerging leaders through the Nā ‘Elele o Kahikina Congressional Fellowship Program.

The fellowship program is a cultural and civic leadership initiative based in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan region.

Grant funds will help strengthen connections to ‘ohana, mo‘omeheu (culture) and ‘āina by equipping Native Hawaiian ʻōpio makua (young adults) living away from home with mentorship, cultural grounding, professional development and opportunities to serve their community at the national level.

This aligns the fellowship program with Office of Hawaiian Affair Mana i Mauli Ola strategies and outcomes.

The fellowship aims to prepare the next generation of Native Hawaiian leaders to thrive in government, advocacy and community-based leadership roles.

It provides ʻopio makua a yearlong leadership development experience that includes cultural education, community engagement, congressional exposure, advocacy training and leadership opportunities. Nā ʻelele fellows will participate in workshops, service projects, networking events and cultural enrichment rooted in Native Hawaiian values.

“We are excited to partner with [Office of Hawaiian Affairs] in this impactful opportunity for our Native Hawaiian ʻopio makua,” said E Ala E Hawaiian Cultural Center Chief Executive Officer Kuʻulei Stockman in a release about the grant award. “Our E Ala E ʻohana understand the strategic importance of this program to nurture and grow future alakaʻi [leaders].”

The cultural center looks forward to welcoming and guiding the first Nā ʻelele cohort through professional activities and relationships to promote and perpetuate our Native Hawaiian culture and values.

Native Hawaiian nonprofit E Ala E Hawaiian Cultural Center serves through cultural education, youth leadership, community events and programs grounded in Native Hawaiian values. Its mission is to uplift the lāhui through cultural preservation, community connection and opportunities that strengthen Native Hawaiian identity and leadership.

Learn more by visiting the E Ala E Hawaiian Cultural Center website (www.ealaehcc.org).