Pōhāhā I Ka Lani is a non-profit organization whose mission is “to revitalize and advance indigenous Hawaiian culture”, founded in 2001 and incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit in 2009 by Kūlia Kauhi Tolentino-Potter. Inspired by her fatherʻs and grandfatherʻs efforts to instill Hawaiian values in the upcoming generations, Kūlia founded Pōhāhā I Ka Lani as a means to provide cultural education to youth and continue the restoration efforts at ancient village site of Nāpo’opo’o in Waipi’o Valley.  

As a Hawaiian studies, history, and language teacher at Ke Ana Laʻahana Public Charter School for grades 7 -12, Kūlia made her Waipiʻo Valley cultural learning programs integral to her students learning. Huakaʻi (field trips) were taking during the school week and also on the weekends, including overnight stays. 

The original programs were land rejuvenation and cultural learning projects with her students at primarily at Nāpo’opo’o, Waipiʻo Valley, as well as sites across Hawaiʻi Island. The program was structured for the kane (male) students and the wahine (female) students. The wahine program focusing on wahine development was named “Ho’omalamalama I Ka Malama”, which means “causing the moon to shine”, referencing the female Hawaiian lunar deity Mahina associated with the moon. The kane program focusing on kane development was named “Kawai I Ho’oulu Ai”, which means “the water that allows things to flourish)”, referencing the male Hawaiian god Kane associated with fresh water.

Kūliaʻs history, knowledge, and cultural background of Waipi’o Valley, along with her educational background in Hawaiian Studies and Anthropology, empowered her to found Pōhāhā I Ka Lani. Kūlia not only is the driving force for program activities, but funded programs personally for the majority of the organization’s beginning years, only receiving outside funding for the first time in 2012 after over 10 years.