Alu Like

Alu Like

Alu Like is a Hawaiian nonprofit organization established in 1974 to support Native Hawaiian cultural, educational, and economic advancement through programs and services across the Hawaiian Islands. Founded during the Hawaiian Renaissance and in the milieu of indigenous rights movements, the organization works with community groups, tribal entities, federal agencies, and private foundations to deliver culturally grounded services. Alu Like operates offices and program sites on Oʻahu, Maui, Hawaiʻi Island, Kauaʻi, Molokaʻi, and Lānaʻi, collaborating with institutions and leaders across Hawaiʻi to restore Hawaiian language, practice, and well-being.

History

Alu Like emerged amid the 1970s Hawaiian Renaissance alongside figures and organizations such as Duke Kahanamoku-era cultural revivalists, activists associated with the ʻAha Pūnana Leo movement, and community leaders connected to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. The nonprofit’s 1974 founding paralleled events like the occupation of Mauna Kea and the revival of practices celebrated at the Hawaiian Civic Club and in festivals like Merrie Monarch Festival. Early partnerships included collaborations with educators at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and advocates involved with federal initiatives such as the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act discussions and the emerging role of Native Hawaiian sovereignty movements. Over subsequent decades Alu Like expanded services during major state developments including the passage of Hawaii Statehood-era policies and interactions with entities like the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and philanthropic efforts from organizations such as the Kamehameha Schools and local foundations.

Mission and Services

Alu Like’s mission centers on the advancement of Native Hawaiian well-being through culturally informed education, employment, and social services. Service lines have interfaced with programs administered by the Department of Labor and educational frameworks influenced by the Hawaiian language immersion movement spearheaded by institutions like Kapiʻolani Community College and University of Hawaiʻi system affiliates. The organization provides workforce development connected to employers such as Queen’s Health Systems and cultural training compatible with venues like the Bishop Museum and the Hawaiʻi State Legislature’s cultural initiatives. Alu Like also supports elders and youth with services that coordinate with health providers including Hawaiʻi Pacific Health and social programs influenced by national models from Administration on Aging and Native American Housing Assistance and Self Determination Act-related activities.

Governance and Funding

Alu Like is governed by a board of directors drawn from Native Hawaiian community leaders, cultural practitioners, and professionals with ties to institutions such as Kamehameha Schools, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education. Funding historically combines federal grants from agencies like the Administration for Native Americans, state contracts with the Hawaiʻi Department of Human Services, philanthropic grants from foundations including the Alexander & Baldwin Foundation, and program income from partnerships with employers and educational institutions. Governance policies reflect legal frameworks tied to state statutes and jurisprudence developed in cases involving Native Hawaiian rights and administrative relationships with entities such as the U.S. Department of the Interior.

Programs and Initiatives

Alu Like’s portfolio includes employment services, elder care, youth leadership, cultural education, and entrepreneurship support. Employment programs align with federal workforce initiatives administered by the U.S. Department of Labor and coordinate placement with employers such as Honolulu County departments and private sector partners including Hawaiian Airlines and Alexander & Baldwin. Elder services connect to medical systems like The Queen's Medical Center and social services in collaboration with Hawaiʻi County. Cultural initiatives support Hawaiian language and practice through partnerships with immersion hubs like ʻAha Pūnana Leo and cultural repositories such as the Bishop Museum and Hawaiʻi State Archives. Entrepreneurship and small business programming interfaces with the Small Business Administration and local business networks like Hawaiʻi Lodging & Tourism Association to foster Native Hawaiian-owned enterprises. Alu Like also administers scholarship and mentorship initiatives that coordinate with academic institutions including Kamehameha Schools, University of Hawaiʻi Foundation, and community colleges across the islands.

Impact and Criticism

Supporters credit Alu Like with measurable contributions to workforce participation, elder well-being, and cultural revitalization comparable to outcomes sought by organizations such as Kamehameha Schools and Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Evaluations by state and federal grantors have highlighted successes in job placement, business startups, and services for kūpuna that mirror models used by national indigenous organizations like Native American Rights Fund and prototype programs funded by the Administration for Native Americans. Criticism has occasionally arisen concerning allocation of resources, transparency, and program performance, echoing debates seen in oversight of entities such as Office of Hawaiian Affairs and other community nonprofits. Some critics reference challenges in measuring cultural outcomes and call for tighter accountability in grant reporting similar to scrutiny applied to state-funded contractors and federally funded indigenous service providers. Alu Like’s leadership has responded by publishing program summaries, engaging external evaluators from institutions like University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and soliciting stakeholder input from community partners such as Hawaiian civic clubs and cultural councils.

Category:Non-profit organizations based in Hawaii Category:Native Hawaiian organizations