Hawaiʻi's first government-funded hula center will break ground this month in Wailuku, Maui, marking a historic milestone for the preservation and promotion of Hawaiian culture. The Hālau of ʻŌiwi Art will span 47,000 square feet and will serve as a vibrant hub for the practice of hula, mele, and hana noʻeau, encompassing both indoor and outdoor spaces designed for performances, gatherings, and community events.

At a blessing ceremony before the construction began, Maui Mayor Richard Bissen expressed his deep appreciation for the cultural significance of the center. "It reaffirms our kuleana to protect and perpetuate the cultural foundations that have shaped our people for generations," said Bissen. "This space will nurture our keiki, uplift our kūpuna and inspire our kumu, ensuring knowledge is shared with intention and integrity and traditions are kept alive for future generations."

Beyond its role as a cultural center, the facility will also serve as a shelter space during disasters, a resiliency and recovery center, and a site for Kaunoa Senior Services classes. This multifaceted use is part of the vision for the center, designed to be a resource for the entire Maui community.

County of Maui Director of ʻŌiwi Resources and Kumu Hula Kaponoʻai Molitau led the blessing of the project, acknowledging the collaboration of local hula hālau and the guidance of Kumu Hula Hōkūlani Holt, who leads the steering committee. Holt, passionate about the importance of a dedicated space for hula, remarked, "Where in all of Hawaiʻi do we have a place for hula? Where? Nowhere. What a shock that was. We have football fields, soccer fields, skate parks, pickleball, but where is hula? Hula is the one cultural practice that continues throughout all of Hawaiian history without break."

The facility is part of a broader $53 million project, which includes $11 million in federal funding. The idea for the center was conceived with strong community backing and approved by the Maui County Council in 2022. After completing permitting, bidding, and contract processes in 2023, the project is set to begin construction on April 28, 2025.

Once completed, the Hālau of ʻŌiwi Art will stand as a testament to the enduring importance of hula in Hawaiian culture and will provide a space for future generations to learn, practice, and celebrate this cherished tradition.

Originally reported by Catherine Cluett Pactol in Hawai'i Public Radio.