To care for the source.

Preserving the legacy of Hawaiian ʻawa through community, education, and cultural stewardship.

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Mālama I ke Kumu — Caring for the Source

Our Story

A grassroots Hawaiian nonprofit rooted in mālama, kuleana, and pilina, dedicated to the protection, education, and perpetuation of ʻawa practices across Hawaiʻi.

Mālama I Ke Kumu was born from a deep love for ʻāina, culture, and community. Rooted in Hāmākua, Hawaiʻi, our organization is dedicated to protecting, preserving, and perpetuating the ancestral knowledge and practices surrounding ʻawa — one of Hawaiʻi’s sacred canoe plants.

Our name, meaning "To Care for the Source," reflects our mission to honor the connections between land, people, and plants. At our farm in Kaukamōlī, generations of practitioners, farmers, and families gather to cultivate ʻawa, share stories, and carry forward the knowledge passed down from kūpuna.

As ʻawa faces growing global commercialization, we stand committed to safeguarding its integrity — ensuring it remains a living tradition for future generations. Through education, ceremony, and stewardship, we reconnect our communities to ʻawa's moʻolelo, its genealogy, and its place in the Hawaiian worldview.

Our story is one of kuleana, pilina, and aloha — caring for the source so the source can care for us.

Explore past gatherings, ceremonies, and community events that reflect our ongoing relationship with ʻawa and ʻāina.

Stories from the ʻĀina

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Education

We provide workshops and hands-on learning experiences rooted in traditional Hawaiian knowledge, covering the history, cultivation, and ceremonial use of ‘awa. Our educational model blends oral histories, ethnobotanical science, and practice-based learning.
Community

We convene ʻaha ʻawa (formal ʻawa ceremonies) and hālāwai (meetings) in each district of Moku o Keawe, creating safe spaces for cultural exchange, relationship building, and strategic conversations about the future of ʻawa.
Research & Advocacy

Our project gathers and archives mo‘olelo (stories) and moʻokūʻauhau (genealogies) of Hawaiian ʻawa, strengthening local knowledge bases and ensuring the protection of this cultural resource against industrial agriculture and foreign appropriation.