About

Have you ever felt shame for not being educated enough in your own culture?

Hi, my name is Kamalani, and I am the Founder and CEO of Hoku’s Makana. For most of my life, I felt like something was missing. Growing up, I was taught that education was one of the most important things. However, despite having access to education, it was never enough to explain why I felt lost.

Then came college, where I began to explore my culture more deeply and dive into the history of what it truly means to be Hawaiian. The values, the responsibilities, and the burden. As my access to culture became more visible, the emptiness I once felt began to fade, and I started to better understand who I am as a person.

Through this realization, I came to understand that I am not alone. There are Hawaiians who feel lost or shameful for not being educated in their culture from a young age. There are those who want to reconnect but don’t know where to start, those who no longer live on the islands, and others who simply want to learn more about Hawaiian culture and reconnect with our ʻāina.

Hoku’s Makana was created for all of those reasons and more. It is a limited edition cultural box designed to uplift, support, and showcase Native Hawaiian business owners.

Each month, a curated box features exclusive products from Kanaka ʻŌiwi (Native Hawaiian) makers, paired with moʻolelo (stories), cultural history, and seasonal themes. Our goal is to connect the lāhui (Hawaiian community) and the wider world to Hawaiian culture through thoughtfully packaged stories and goods that honor place, people, and practice.

With hope and understanding, I hope this brand reaches kanaka across the world and helps them connect to home, even if they’re not able to come back.

Our Mission

Our mission is to expand the lāhui's outreach by educating and connecting individuals to Hawaiian culture while directly supporting Kanaka-owned businesses.