WHERE WE COME FROM,
AND WHERE WE ARE TODAY
2000
Ma Ka Hana Ka ʻIke (MKHKI) is founded by Rick Rutiz to empower Hāna School youth to learn in a way that makes sense to them through hands-on, real-world building and construction
2010
MKHKI establishes Mahele Farm on 10 acres leased from Kahanu Garden and the National Tropical Botanical Garden for an educational, community farm where East Maui kūpuna pass down generations-old knowledge
2015
MKHKI establishes Mālama Hāloa to kōkua in the restoration of loʻi kalo in East Maui and revitalize the practice of kuʻi kalo and other cultural traditions of Hawaiʻi
2020
MKHKI officially establishes the Mālama I Nā Hulu Kūpuna initiative which serves over 130 Native Hawaiian kūpuna in East Maui each year with food and safer living conditions
2022
Kahu ʻAi Pono is established to steward Hāna School’s culinary arts pathway, including on-campus garden education for all ages
2023
MKHKI expands to build capacity in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi instruction to engage the Hawaiian language medium students at Hāna School in all program areas and activities
2024
MKHKI receives recognition for over two decades of impactful community-based service through a $2 million gift from philanthropist Mackenzie Scott