GENERATIONAL

GENERATIONAL

LEARNING

LEARNING

Through place-based, relationship-centered education, Kula nurtures Future Ancestors confident in their identity, grounded in ʻike kupuna, and prepared to kūkulu ea for their kaiāulu.

Through place-based, relationship-centered education, Kula nurtures Future Ancestors confident in their identity, grounded in ʻike kupuna, and prepared to kūkulu ea for their kaiāulu.

A Wahi for Learning

Rooted in Brilliance

Kula is Purple Maiʻa Foundation's educational hub—a wahi where Indigenous innovation, technology, and computer science serve community. We create culturally grounded learning spaces empowering keiki, haumāna, and educators to see technology as an expression of Hawaiian identity.

Preparing Future

Ancestors to Kūkulu Ea

Kula empowers keiki and community through Indigenous innovation, technology, and computer science. We nurture learning pathways where Native Hawaiian knowledge and modern tools meet—supporting learners to know their piko, find their passion, and live their purpose. By centering ʻike, moʻolelo, and pilina, Kula prepares Future Ancestors to design solutions that uplift their communities and carry forward ancestral intelligence.

From ʻIke

to Innovation

Kula designs and implements culturally rooted, technology-infused learning experiences across K–12 and higher education.

Hālau Hekili

A middle college high school program offering dual credit and the Hawaiian Knowledge and Innovation (HIKI) Certificate.

Hālau Hekili

A middle college high school program offering dual credit and the Hawaiian Knowledge and Innovation (HIKI) Certificate.

Hālau Hekili

A middle college high school program offering dual credit and the Hawaiian Knowledge and Innovation (HIKI) Certificate.

Waiw.AI Studios

A youth-focused initiative introducing AI through Indigenous innovation, cultural grounding, and mentorship.

Waiw.AI Studios

A youth-focused initiative introducing AI through Indigenous innovation, cultural grounding, and mentorship.

Waiw.AI Studios

A youth-focused initiative introducing AI through Indigenous innovation, cultural grounding, and mentorship.

Pilina Development

Professional learning for kumu integrating technology, Hawaiian culture, and moʻolelo.

Pilina Development

Professional learning for kumu integrating technology, Hawaiian culture, and moʻolelo.

Pilina Development

Professional learning for kumu integrating technology, Hawaiian culture, and moʻolelo.

Kūkulu Ea

Moving from story to solution by empowering educators and students to create culturally grounded innovations using computer science and digital tools.

Kūkulu Ea

Moving from story to solution by empowering educators and students to create culturally grounded innovations using computer science and digital tools.

Kūkulu Ea

Moving from story to solution by empowering educators and students to create culturally grounded innovations using computer science and digital tools.

Future Ancestors

Programs inspiring students to amplify traditional knowledge through contemporary technologies and innovation.

Future Ancestors

Programs inspiring students to amplify traditional knowledge through contemporary technologies and innovation.

Future Ancestors

Programs inspiring students to amplify traditional knowledge through contemporary technologies and innovation.

Paʻa Moʻolelo

A digital storytelling framework empowering youth and community to reimagine and share stories rooted in culture.

Paʻa Moʻolelo

A digital storytelling framework empowering youth and community to reimagine and share stories rooted in culture.

Paʻa Moʻolelo

A digital storytelling framework empowering youth and community to reimagine and share stories rooted in culture.

Learning that

Grows Communities

Kula affirms that learning is not only about skills—it is about identity, belonging, and responsibility. Through culturally grounded education, we cultivate young leaders who bravely amplify their collective brilliance and design solutions that empower their kaiāulu.

Expanding Access & Opportunity

Kula creates pathways for Native Hawaiian students to engage with technology, computer science, and innovation—opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach. Through programs like Hālau Hekili, students earn college credit while still in high school, and initiatives like Waiw.AI Studios introduce youth to emerging technologies through a cultural lens.

Strengthening Educator Capacity

Cultivating Identity & Purpose

Building Statewide Reach & Impact

Expanding Access & Opportunity

Kula creates pathways for Native Hawaiian students to engage with technology, computer science, and innovation—opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach. Through programs like Hālau Hekili, students earn college credit while still in high school, and initiatives like Waiw.AI Studios introduce youth to emerging technologies through a cultural lens.

Strengthening Educator Capacity

Cultivating Identity & Purpose

Building Statewide Reach & Impact

Expanding Access & Opportunity

Kula creates pathways for Native Hawaiian students to engage with technology, computer science, and innovation—opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach. Through programs like Hālau Hekili, students earn college credit while still in high school, and initiatives like Waiw.AI Studios introduce youth to emerging technologies through a cultural lens.

Strengthening Educator Capacity

Cultivating Identity & Purpose

Building Statewide Reach & Impact

The Team

Behind Kula

Kula is guided by educators, cultural practitioners, technologists, and community collaborators who believe learning is relational, place-based, and transformative.

Mike Sarmiento

VP of Educational Design

Mike Sarmiento

VP of Educational Design

Mike Sarmiento

VP of Educational Design

Jacqueline Kroupa

Lead Creative Technologist

Jacqueline Kroupa

Lead Creative Technologist

Jacqueline Kroupa

Lead Creative Technologist

Ikaika Bishop

Sensor Technician & Educational Specialist

Ikaika Bishop

Sensor Technician & Educational Specialist

Ikaika Bishop

Sensor Technician & Educational Specialist

Cerina Livaudais

Lead Education Technologist

Cerina Livaudais

Lead Education Technologist

Cerina Livaudais

Lead Education Technologist

Chaney Lopez

Education Technologist

Chaney Lopez

Education Technologist

Chaney Lopez

Education Technologist

Sarah Balai

Hālau Hekili Education Specialist

Sarah Balai

Hālau Hekili Education Specialist

Sarah Balai

Hālau Hekili Education Specialist

Tammy Jones

Hālau Hekili Education Specialist

Tammy Jones

Hālau Hekili Education Specialist

Tammy Jones

Hālau Hekili Education Specialist

Joshua Dang

Hālau Hekili Education Specialist

Joshua Dang

Hālau Hekili Education Specialist

Joshua Dang

Hālau Hekili Education Specialist

Learn With Us,

Learn With Us,

Grow With Us!

Grow With Us!

Interested in partnering, participating, or learning more about Kula? Geared towards:

Student or ʻohana exploring learning opportunities

Student or ʻohana exploring learning opportunities

Student or ʻohana exploring learning opportunities

Educator seeking culturally grounded professional development

Educator seeking culturally grounded professional development

Educator seeking culturally grounded professional development

School, university, or community organization looking to collaborate

School, university, or community organization looking to collaborate

School, university, or community organization looking to collaborate

We welcome connection and conversation.