Giving Back in 2025: Supporting Ulu Aʻe
Growing up in Hawaii, my parents instilled in me the idea of giving back—that we're all connected, and when we lift each other up, we all rise together.
Since The Keiki Dept started in 2016, we've supported our community through auctions, donations, and contributions to organizations serving keiki and ʻohana across the islands. Last year, we focused our efforts on supporting Kūlaniākea and their work strengthening Hawaiian identity through ancestral wisdom.
Why Ulu Aʻe
This year, we're supporting an organization that's already touched our ʻohana personally: Ulu Aʻe.
In 2023, when I was searching for a summer program that would give my keiki cultural knowledge, I was recommended a program out in Honouliuli. I thought, "That's a far drive, but we don't have anything like that in our town."
Two of my keiki participated in their weeklong program, and honestly, I wish I could have joined them. They came home excited every day—the hands-on learning, the cultural connection, the way they made Hawaiian traditions come alive.
Watching my keiki engage with place-based education was everything I'd hoped for. But it also left me wishing all keiki had this opportunity in their own communities.
Their vision resonated deeply: to have entire communities knowledgeable and engaged in the place they live.
Isn't that exactly what we're trying to do with our products? Connect keiki to their ʻāina, share stories of our native plants and animals, and help families feel ownership in this place we call home?
Seeing Their Impact
Ulu Aʻe was formed in 2014 with a mission that speaks to our hearts: to empower and enrich lives through programs that develop skills, build confidence and promote healthy relationships based on the values and customs of our kūpuna.
They're not just talking about connecting keiki to Hawaiian culture—they're creating real opportunities through student programs, cultural events, and volunteer workdays in Honouliuli.
The confidence and connection my keiki gained from that week was unforgettable. When we think about why The Keiki Dept exists—to inspire cultural connection, create lasting memories, and support Native Hawaiian keiki and ʻohana—the alignment with Ulu Aʻe feels perfect.
Our Commitment
In 2025, The Keiki Dept will continue donating 1% of our online sales to support Ulu Aʻe. Every time you choose our products—whether it's a swaddle for your newest keiki, an outfit telling the story of our native plants, or a gift connecting someone to Hawaiʻi—you're supporting their incredible community work.
Together, we're helping keiki grow confident in their identity, connected to their culture, and engaged with the ʻāina that sustains us all.
Want to learn more? Visit uluae.org to see how they're making a difference right here in Hawaiʻi.
Written by Leilani Sills
Full time mama, Shop Owner and Teacher.
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