A blessing ceremony ahead of construction for Hālau of ʻŌiwi Art (HOA) - the first government-funded hula center in Hawaiʻi – was held onsite today in Wailuku. Construction is anticipated to begin April 28, 2025.

County of Maui Director of ʻŌiwi Resources and Kumu Hula Kaponoʻai Molitau offered the blessing today over County contractors F&H Construction, other project partners and the site as a whole. HOA is the first of its kind and the largest investment by any county or the state to establish a permanent place for hula and associated ‘ōiwi arts.

“Where in all of Hawaiʻi do we have a place for hula? Where?” Kumu Hula Hōkūlani Holt, who leads the HOA steering committee, asked during today’s ceremony. “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.”

Located at the corner of Church and Vineyard streets, HOA will be dedicated to the study, practice, celebration and perpetuation of hula and other ‘ōiwi arts connected to hula.

“The Hālau of ʻŌiwi Art will be a place where hula, mele, and hana noʻeau are not only practiced but nurtured as living, evolving traditions,” Mayor Richard Bissen said. “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.”

Once completed, the two-level, approximately 47,000-square-foot HOA facility will not only serve as a central meeting space for hula hālau and related ‘ōiwi arts. Also, it will offer indoor and outdoor events and gatherings, a shelter space, a resiliency and recovery center and Kaunoa Senior Services classes.

Mayor Bissen today thanked former Mayor Michael Victorino, who was in attendance, and the Maui County Council, whose leadership set the project on its path forward. “We will do our very best to get this over the finish line,” he said.

Mayor Bissen also acknowledged kumu who have been crucial to the design process, including Holt, Molitau, Cody Pueo Pata, Hiʻilei Maxwell-Juan, ʻĀlika and Kehalani Guerrero, Mapuana Aʻarona, Kahulu Maluo-Pearson, Sissy Lake-Farm, Jamie Moanikeala Whittle-Wagner and Nāpua Silva.

“As we begin construction, we reaffirm our collective belief in the importance of culture, of learning and of community connectedness,” Mayor Bissen said. “This project embodies the values of ʻohana and aloha ʻāina, it is a model of what collaboration and purpose can achieve.”

The $53 million facility (including $11 million in federal funds) was originally planned with community support and approved by Maui County Council in 2022. Permitting, bidding and contract were executed in 2023. A site blessing was held in September 2024.

HOA is a collaboration among diverse groups of Maui hula hālau, with the support of the County of Maui, and guided by the Huamakahikina Declaration. The declaration was ratified by an international coalition of kumu hula and adopted by Maui County Council resolution on Nov. 5, 2021. For information on HOA, visit www.hoamaui.com.

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