RECLAIMING DEMOCRACY
What is Kuleana Academy?
Kuleana Academy is a non-partisan, political, civic, and community-rooted leadership accelerator program.
Kuleana Academy is a civic-leadership accelerator that fosters leaders from frontline communities that seek to center public and community interest ahead of corporate. The academy's curriculum and supportive environment give participants the tools, knowledge, and networks they need to make a real difference in their communities.
The academy's comprehensive curriculum provides participants with a broad overview of social, economic, environmental, and food system challenges that are interconnected and widespread in Hawai‘i.
Additionally, Kuleana Academy offers an in-depth exploration of present civic mechanisms, including Boards & Commissions, elections, advocacy, policy and organizing. This knowledge equips participants with a robust understanding of the civic landscape and the tools to navigate it effectively.
The story behind Kuleana Academy.
HAPA was at the forefront of the movement that passed ordinances in three separate counties to regulate biotech agriculture. But the celebrations did not last long; the biotech companies sought to overturn the new regulations. They appealed the case at the Ninth District Circuit Court, claiming that the regulation of GMO agriculture should be determined at the state level, not by counties. And in 2016, they prevailed. All our efforts to effect change through direct democracy had been summarily foiled.
Such policy setbacks brought into sharp relief the reality that the system stifled community voices while uplifting corporate interests.
This was not just an agriculture issue.
This was a democracy issue.
However, this obstacle only strengthened our movement. Our struggle became a broader & more unifying platform. This was not just an agriculture issue. This was a democracy issue. We recognized the need for more progressive leaders that could systemically revitalize local government with community-oriented individuals rather than corporate profits.*
*HAPA is a 501(c)3. We do not endorse any political candidate. We accept candidates from all backgrounds and political affiliations.
To date, we've completed 7 cohorts; we have 120 graduates.
12 graduates hold elected office at the county and state levels.
8 sit on Oahu Neighborhood Boards.
70 are currently leading community or civic projects or regularly engage in activism or advocacy.
5 sit on nonprofit Boards.
3 sit on a state or county State Boards or Commissions.
55 have worked on election campaigns.
39 have led policy initiatives at the county and state levels.
Hoʻomaikaʻi to our
Kuleana Academy’s Cohort 7!
HAPA’s Newest KA Alumni!
HAPA is excited to welcome the newest Kuleana Academy Alumni!
What’s Been Happening?
Kuleana Academy 2022 Election Recap
The election season is an important time when voters and the public can send clear messages in holding public officials accountable.
In the 2022 election year, we did not host another cohort. We did launch 2 “boot camps” to provide an electoral campaign skills refresher for our KA alumni and their networks. Our focused modular breakout allowed us to “dive deeper” into training for campaign-spending reporting, publicly funded elections, canvassing, district analysis, public speaking, etc. * HAPA is non-partisan and does not support candidates or campaigns.17 KA alumni ran for office this election cycle, with many other alumni managing their campaigns or providing other means of support.
Read more on our Kuleana Academy Elections Recap here >>
