Hanauma Bay Gets a New Name and a New Mission: Meet ‘Papahana Hanauma’

Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve is getting more than just a new education provider — it’s receiving a cultural makeover that puts Native Hawaiian values at the center of how visitors experience one of Oahu’s most treasured natural sites.

Starting this month, the Hui Mālama O Ke Kai Foundation has taken over education programming at the preserve, rebranding the experience as “Papahana Hanauma.” The shift marks a significant departure from previous programming, emphasizing Hawaiian cultural practices, traditional mo’olelo (stories), and indigenous approaches to coral reef stewardship.

The transition comes after the City and County of Honolulu selected Hui Mālama O Ke Kai through a competitive bidding process to replace the University of Hawaii Sea Grant program, which had managed education services at the bay since 2002.

“This is about connecting people to place in a way that honors the cultural significance of Hanauma Bay while protecting its natural resources,” said Keeaumoku Kapu, executive director of Hui Mālama O Ke Kai Foundation. “When visitors understand the Hawaiian relationship to this wahi pana (storied place), they become better stewards of the reef.”

Cultural Learning Takes Center Stage

Under the new Papahana Hanauma program, the mandatory education video and presentations will incorporate traditional Hawaiian knowledge systems and cultural protocols. Visitors will learn about the bay’s formation through Hawaiian mo’olelo, understand traditional fishing practices, and discover how ancient Hawaiians maintained healthy reef ecosystems.

The foundation plans to integrate concepts like ahupua’a (traditional land divisions from mountain to sea) and malama ‘aina (caring for the land) into educational materials. These teachings emphasize the interconnectedness of watershed, land, and ocean — principles that align with modern marine conservation science.

Hui Mālama O Ke Kai Foundation, established in 1996, has extensive experience in marine education and Hawaiian cultural programming. The organization operates throughout the Hawaiian Islands, focusing on ocean literacy, traditional ecological knowledge, and community-based natural resource management.

Beyond Tourism: Community Connection

The rebranding signals a broader shift in how Honolulu approaches tourism at sensitive natural sites. Rather than focusing solely on visitor management, Papahana Hanauma aims to create meaningful connections between people and place that extend beyond a single snorkeling trip.

The foundation plans to develop programming for local schools and community groups, ensuring that island residents have opportunities to engage with their cultural and natural heritage at Hanauma Bay. This community-focused approach addresses long-standing concerns that heavy tourism has limited local access to significant cultural sites.

Hanauma Bay welcomes approximately 1 million visitors annually, making it one of Hawaii’s most visited natural attractions. The preserve generates significant revenue for the city through entrance fees, but managing the environmental impact of heavy visitation remains an ongoing challenge.

Environmental Stewardship Through Culture

The new programming emphasizes traditional Hawaiian resource management practices that sustained coral reef ecosystems for centuries. Concepts like kapu (temporary closures) and community-based stewardship will be woven into educational messaging about current conservation efforts.

Visitors will learn about the bay’s recovery since its temporary closure during the COVID-19 pandemic, when coral coverage increased and fish populations rebounded. The educational program will connect these modern conservation successes to traditional Hawaiian practices that protected reef resources through sustainable use patterns.

The foundation also plans to highlight ongoing research and restoration work at the preserve, including coral monitoring programs and invasive species management efforts.

Implementation and Future Plans

The transition to Papahana Hanauma represents the first phase of the foundation’s vision for culturally-grounded marine education in Hawaii. Plans include developing multimedia resources in Hawaiian language, creating community volunteer programs, and establishing partnerships with local cultural practitioners.

The city will continue to monitor visitor capacity and environmental conditions at the preserve, with the new education program serving as a key tool for promoting responsible tourism practices.

For Honolulu residents and visitors alike, Papahana Hanauma offers an opportunity to experience one of Oahu’s natural treasures through a distinctly Hawaiian lens. By centering indigenous knowledge and cultural values, the program aims to create lasting connections that extend far beyond the preserve’s boundaries, fostering a generation of ocean stewards grounded in both scientific understanding and cultural responsibility.