Kuleana Academy Application is now open.
Our application for Cohort 8 is now open.
Hawai‘i Alliance for Progressive Action (HAPA) is now accepting applications for the 8th Kuleana Academy, a four-month political leadership development and non-partisan candidate training program for emerging leaders in Hawai‘i. Participants will be evaluated and selected via a process that includes a panel made of HAPA board members and Kuleana Academy Alliance Education Partners. Applicants will be chosen by April 30, 2024.
Application Form
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Applications are open until March 31st.
Who should apply?
The program is geared toward individuals from across Hawaiʻi with a track record of community service and engagement; who are seeking to grow their political leadership, advocacy, and organizing skills and expertise. Whether it is running for elected office, managing a political campaign, or honing advocacy and organizing skills, Kuleana Academy provides in-depth training, mentorship, and connection to a community of like-minded leaders.
Programming & Dates
The Academy will tentatively be from May to September 2025, consisting of:
1) Political Leadership and Campaign Skills Training
Participants will attend training over the course of 14 Saturday virtual sessions and 6-8 In-person weekends. This will cover personal and political leadership development, public speaking, media training, critical community organizing skills, the basics of the legislative process, and the nuts and bolts of running a campaign.
2) Statewide Issues Education
Alliance Education Partners will host these sessions in their areas of expertise on issues that affect county, state, and federal policies. Topics may include: Understanding your political responsibilities, Kanaka Maoli cultural values, law and rights; environment, sustainability and development; labor, workers' rights and economic justice; agriculture and food security; educational policy; civil rights, reproductive and gender equity; criminal justice reform and public health. Most importantly, the program will explore the interconnection of all these issues.
3) Community-Based Hands-On Experience
Participants will engage in public speaking, writing, organizing, canvassing and fundraising.
4) Guest Speakers
Elected officials and community leaders share their candid life experiences running and serving in public office or working in advocacy work.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the KA Schedule?
Kuleana Academy is a combination of virtual and in-person weekends from mid-May to the end of September.
We meet some weekends virtually on Saturdays from 9 AM to 2 PM.
We meet some weekends in person on O’ahu on Saturdays from 9 AM to 4 PM, with an evening event set from 6 to 9 PM and Sundays from 9 AM to 4 PM.
You can view a sample schedule here. (subject to change)
How are Travel and Lodging Arranged?
Travel and lodging accommodations are provided for all participants traveling to O’ahu and anyone on O’ahu who might need lodging if they live 1 hr from the meeting space.
We try our best to accommodate special requests, but typically, the travel is arranged to fly out on the first flight on Saturday morning and the last flight out on Sunday night.
To save costs, we ask participants to room together.
What is the application process?
We review applications on a rolling basis. All applications are reviewed only after they have been submitted with 3 references. Applications are assessed by a selection committee made of the HAPA board, staff, Kuleana Academy alumni, and Alliance Education partners. The top 30 candidates will be interviewed by a member of the selection committee, and the final cohort selection will be chosen with a goal of identifying, recruiting, and training at least 3 emerging leaders from each county: Kaua‘i, O‘ahu, Maui, Hawai‘i.
