Aloha e Kaiāulu,

On October 5th, 2024—during an early morning ʻaha on the shores of Kaihalulu Bay—Kūpaʻa Kuilima was born. Formed by indigenous community leaders and working mothers determined to protect Turtle Bay and Kahuku lewa, our organization has grown from a sunrise gathering into a committed movement rooted in aloha ʻāina.

We didn’t get to formally celebrate our one-year anniversary, but we want you to know:

We are still here.
We are still fighting.
We remain committed to our mission, vision & values.

Our Purpose & Work
Kūpaʻa Kuilima advocates for pono, community-led stewardship of Kahuku Lewa—from Waialeʻe to Keana. We uplift Native Hawaiian values of balance between kānaka and ʻāina, challenging overdevelopment that threatens cultural sites, coastal ecosystems, iwi kūpuna, endangered species, and community well-being.

We organize residents to hold government and developers accountable to fair, transparent processes that honor the voices of those who call this place home.

What We Do Year-Round
As a volunteer-led, grassroots organization, much of our work happens quietly, consistently, and behind the scenes. Over the past year, we have:

• Hosted and attended community meetings
• Organized educational events
• Held cultural gatherings on shorelines and in community spaces
• Supported public participation at agency hearings and meetings
• Coordinated sign-waving events
• Provided news interviews, podcast appearances, and press engagement
• Maintained and updated online educational materials weekly or biweekly
• Held board meetings weekly or biweekly to plan, review, and strategize
• Conducted fundraising activities and ongoing grant writing to sustain our work

Everything we do is powered by volunteers who continue to show up — for the ʻāina, for the culture, for future generations.

We Need Your Support to Continue This Work
As we enter our second year, your support is essential. There are two immediate ways to kōkua:

1️⃣ Kūpaʻa Kuilima Fundraising Raffle
2️⃣ Hawaiʻi People’s Fund Matching Program

Your support keeps us kūpaʻa, steadfast, in protecting Turtle Bay, safeguarding iwi kūpuna, and restoring balance across Kahuku Lewa. Mahalo for standing with us during our first year. Mahalo for continuing the journey into our second.

With deep gratitude,
Kūpaʻa Kuilima

Support Aloha ʻĀina — Join Kūpaʻa Kuilima’s Raffle Fundraiser! 

Support aloha ʻāina and help protect Turtle Bay by entering Kūpaʻa Kuilima’s Raffle Bundle Fundraiser! All proceeds go directly toward safeguarding iwi kūpuna, endangered species, and ensuring our community has a real voice in the future of Kahuku Lewa. We want to continue to fight to protect Turtle Bay, but we can’t do it without your support.

Raffle Details:

Opens: Friday, November 7
Closes: Saturday, November 15
Winners Announced: Sunday, November 16
Entries: $10 each — no limit!
Shipping: $5 within Hawaiʻi / $10 outside Hawaiʻi
Pickup: Available on Oʻahu

Bonus Entry: Like, share, and follow @Kupaakuilima, then tag 3 friends on our raffle post for one extra entry!

Prize Bundles (Valued at $100+ Each):
 #1 – Punky Bundle

Punky Aloha 11x14 Art Print
Ulu Print Cooler Bag
Heather Brown Art Print
T-shirt
Volcano Winery White Wine Bottle

#2 – Kai Bundle

Heather Brown Art Print
Photo Print by Zach Noyle
Aloha ʻĀina Trucker Hat from Kahuku Farms
Honua Skincare Set and Pouch

#3 – You Pick Bundle (multiple bundles available; FCFS while supplies last)
 Choose any 3 of the following:

T-shirt (variety)
Art Print by Aloha Wares
Art Print by Heather Brown
Trucker Hat from Defend Oʻahu Coalition, Kahuku Farms, or Aloha Collection
Reusable Tote Bag (Kahuku Farms)
Volcano Winery Wine - Blush, White, or Macadamia Nut Honey
Honua Skincare Set and Pouch

Bonus:

The first 50 double entries ($20) will receive a free sticker pack! 
Winners will also receive a sticker and a sign (FCFS while supplies last; signs for O’ahu only, no shipping for signs).

How to Enter:  Donate via Venmo or by mail, and be sure to give us your contact information:

Venmo: @Kupaakuilima4ever
Venmo Link: https://www.venmo.com/u/Kupaakuilima4ever 
Mail checks to:
Kūpaʻa Kuilima
56-193 Pualalea Street
Kahuku, HI 96731

Kūpaʻa Kuilima is now an official 501(c)(3) nonprofit, so your donations are tax-deductible. Mahalo nui for standing with us to protect our ʻāina and community; together, we are Kūpaʻa Kuilima!

💚 Mahalo Nui to Our Raffle Donors! 💚

Our deepest gratitude to the incredible local businesses and community members who helped make our Kūpaʻa Kuilima Raffle Fundraiser a success! Your generosity fuels our work to protect Turtle Bay, safeguard iwi kūpuna, and keep aloha ʻāina at the heart of our community.

A huge mahalo to our amazing donors:
 💚 @AlohaWares
 💚 @HonuaSkincare
 💚 @KahukuFarms
 💚 @DefendOʻahuCoalition
 💚 @BrooklynHawaiʻi

 💚 @Hausmisfits

 …and to all the other individuals and ʻohana who shared, supported, and donated raffle items, we couldn’t have done this without you!

Every contribution strengthens our collective commitment to care for the land, the people, and the generations to come. Together, we are Kūpaʻa Kuilima, steadfast for Kahuku Lewa.

Stay tuned as we announce our raffle winners on Sunday! 🌿✨

✨ HULI25 is here — and Kūpaʻa Kuilima needs your kōkua! ✨
From Nov 1 – Dec 31, you can make your donation go twice as far by supporting #HULI25, the Hawaiʻi People’s Fund’s annual fundshifting campaign! 🌈

When you give through bit.ly/huli2025 and select Kūpaʻa Kuilima from the “Apply My Donation To” dropdown menu, 50% of your gift comes directly to us — fueling our work to protect, restore, and uplift ʻāina, kai, and community across Koʻolauloa and beyond. 🌿

Your contribution strengthens our collective movement for justice and regeneration, helping us stand firm in aloha ʻāina, community education, and systems change. 💪🏽

Let’s make this a season of giving that truly shifts power back to the people! Join us, share this post, and encourage your ʻohana to give today. 💕

➡️ Donate now: bit.ly/huli2025
🗓️ Campaign: Nov 1 – Dec 31
💰 50% of your gift goes to Kūpaʻa Kuilima!