Puuhonua O Wailupe

Puʻuhonua o Wailupe is a Kanaka Maoli-led nonprofit organization dedicated to the protection of iwi kūpuna (indigenous Hawaiian burials), cultural sites, native landscapes, and traditional Hawaiian practices in Wailupe, Oʻahu. Established in 2022 by descendants, protectors, and caretakers of the area, our mission is rooted in Aloha ʻĀina and the understanding that caring for our ancestors and ʻāina is a sacred responsibility.

Wailupe is one of Oʻahu’s culturally significant landscapes, containing burial caves, trails, rock shelters, and other historic cultural sites.  Our organization was formed in response to ongoing threats to these sacred places and we work to ensure they are protected, restored, and cared for with dignity and cultural integrity with the help of hundreds of volunteers. Much of this work is guided by lineal descendants who continue to carry the oral histories and ʻike (traditional knowledge) of Wailupe. 

Puʻuhonua o Wailupe engages in land stewardship through invasive species removal, native and canoe plant restoration, erosion mitigation, cultural education, fire prevention, and community workdays focused on protecting iwi kūpuna and restoring the health of the land. We believe that protecting culture, environment, and ancestral burials are inseparable from the broader movement for Native Hawaiian self-determination and environmental justice. 

Summer Youth Internship Fundraiser

This year, Puʻuhonua o Wailupe is raising $8,000 to support youth interns for Summer 2026. These internships will provide hands-on opportunities for young people to learn about Hawaiian history, mālama iwi kūpuna (care for indigenous Hawaiian burials), native ecosystem restoration, and cultural stewardship while directly caring for the lands of Wailupe. Interns will assist with invasive species removal, planting native and canoe plants, fire prevention efforts, site maintenance, and helping secure and mālama the area surrounding sensitive burial and cultural sites.