Annual Events
Our programs and events strengthen the health, culture, and wellbeing of Papakōlea, Kewalo, and Kalawahine. From annual gatherings to seasonal celebrations, each event reflects our commitment to ʻohana, place-based learning, and community resilience.
"Celebrating wellness, culture, and community in the spirit of aloha."
Since 2010, the annual Papakōlea ʻOhana Health Fair has brought together families from Papakōlea, Kewalo, and Kalawahine for a day of wellness, learning, and connection. Held on the first Saturday of March at Abraham Lincoln Elementary School, the fair is designed to uplift the health and well‑being of our lāhui through free health screenings, cultural workshops, keiki activities, nutritious food, and resources from local service providers.
Community partners include health systems such as Queen's Medical Center, Queen Emma Clinic, and Hawaiʻi Keiki; service organizations such as Papa Ola Lōkahi, Alu Like, Helping Hands, and Project Dana; and agencies such as the Department of Health, DHS Med‑QUEST, and UH Cancer Center Kū Ola. Additional vendors provide support in areas such as chronic disease prevention, tobacco cessation, maternal and child health, senior services, and cultural healing practices like lomilomi and kuʻi kalo.
This community‑centered gathering highlights the importance of preventative care and the role of culture in healing, while fostering unity and empowerment across generations. Open to all ages, the event honors our commitment to holistic, place‑based health rooted in the values of aloha, mālama, and kuleana—celebrating wellness, culture, and community.
A safe and festive Halloween night where Papakōlea, Kewalo, and Kalawahine families come together in costume and community.
Papakōlea's Community Trunk-or-Treat is a fun, safe Halloween celebration for keiki and families from Papakōlea, Kewalo, and Kalawahine. Held in the Lincoln Elementary School parking lot, local organizations and neighbors decorate their car trunks with creative themes and hand out treats, filling the space with color, excitement, and community spirit.
Families enjoy costumes, games, and a festive atmosphere designed to keep traditions alive while ensuring safety for all ages. This joyful gathering strengthens connections across the homestead and celebrates Halloween in a warm, family-friendly, community-centered way.
Papakōlea’s Christmas Holo Holo is a cherished annual event that brings holiday joy directly to the families of Papakōlea. Community volunteers come together to deliver festive cheer with decorated vehicles, music, Santa and Mrs. Claus, and gifts driven right to residents' doorsteps. This mobile celebration embodies the spirit of aloha, ensuring that every ‘ohana feels the warmth and magic of the season, even from the comfort of home.
Kula no nā Poʻe Hawaiʻi actively participates in the annual Aloha Festivals Floral Parade, a celebration of Hawaiian culture and heritage. In 2022, Faith Kalamau, a Community Health Worker with Kula no nā Poʻe Hawaiʻi, served as the Pāʻū Princess representing the island of Lānaʻi, highlighting the organization's commitment to cultural traditions. Additionally, Kula no nā Poʻe Hawaiʻi organizes huakaʻi (field trips) for kūpuna and their caregivers to attend the parade, fostering community engagement and honoring kūpuna through these cultural experiences.
Kula no nā Poʻe Hawaiʻi regularly joins in the annual Prince Kūhiō Parade, celebrating the legacy of Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole. This event brings together community groups across the state to honor Prince Kūhiō's contributions to Native Hawaiian rights and culture. Kula no nā Poʻe Hawaiʻi's involvement underscores its commitment to community pride, unity, and resilience within the Papakōlea, Kewalo, and Kalawahine homesteads.