Annual Traditions

Our community thrives through whatʻs rooted in culture, togetherness, and legacy so we continue to host our five annual events that serve those values.  Some are fundraisers, some are communal gatherings, but all are a part of what makes our community so special. 

Koʻolau ʻOhana Dinner

Saturday September 28, 2024     4:00 - 8:00pm    


"Aloha ʻIa Nō ʻO Waiheʻe" celebrates the moʻolelo of our ahupuaʻa. 

It is believed that in ancient Hawaiʻi a mute man named Keakaokū was told to journey to Kahiki, where he was told his future wife waited, and upon marriage he would be able to speak again. 


On his way, a large heʻe (octopus) tried to attack him, but Keakaokū was able to kill the heʻe and flung it towards Kahaluʻu. The fluids from the heʻe's body spewed across the land, essentially giving Waiheʻe (octopus fluid) its name.


Nestled between Kahaluʻu and Kaʻalaea, our beautiful ahupuaʻa has been the home of KEY Project for generations.  This year, 2024, we are grateful to recognize "Aloha ʻIa Nō ʻO Waiheʻe" or "Beloved Waiheʻe" as the theme of our Koʻolau ʻOhana Dinner. 


Please see below for information about sponsorship:

All sponsorship levels include a table of eight seats, dinner, and a table centerpiece, with additional perks per level. 


Waiheʻe Sponsor                                             $10,000

  • Opportunity to select one event in 2025 for named recognition
  • KEY Project ʻEke Makana (gift bag)
  • Recognition as the Waiheʻe Premier Sponsor on all event publicity material, pre- and post-event.
  • Recognition as Waiheʻe Premier Sponsor on dedicated website page
  • Recognition as Waiheʻe Premier Sponsor on dinner program
  • Prime table location
  • OPTIONAL: Inclusion of 1 -2 KEY Project representatives to join your table


Mōʻī (Monarch)                                                               $6,000

  • KEY Project ʻEke Makana (gift bag)
  • Recognition as Mōʻī Sponsor on all event publicity material, pre- and post-event
  • Recognition as Mōʻī Sponsor on dedicated website page
  • Recognition as Mōʻī Sponsor on dinner program
  • Prime table location
  • OPTIONAL: Inclusion of 1 -2 KEY Project representatives to join your table


Kamaʻāina (Child of the Land) $3,000

  • Recognition as Kamaʻāina Sponsor on all event publicity material pre- and post-event
  • Recognition as Kamaʻāina Sponsor on dedicated website page
  • Recognition as Kamaʻāina Sponsor on dinner program
  • OPTIONAL: Inclusion of 1 -2 KEY Project representatives to join your table


Kaiāulu (Community)                                            $2,500

*These seats will be offered to community members on your behalf* 

  • Recognition as Kaiāulu Sponsor on all event publicity material post-event
  • Recognition on dedicated website page


To purchase your sponsorship level, please click here or contact us for additional options.  Mahalo!

Mahalo Nui to all of our 2024 Sponsors:

Premier Waiheʻe Sponsor: 

Mōʻī

Kamaʻāina

Kaiāulu 

Waihe'e Festival

In 2022 we began hosting a free public festival as part of our annual Ko'olau 'Ohana Festival fundraiser.  What began as a hybrid event with our sponsor dinner evolved into a stand alone festival in 2023.


For 2024 and beyond we have rebranded and will be introducing our Waihe'e Festival on October 12th!



Mahalo to our loving community for your continued support

Imu

Our imu is one of the first things many people associate us with.  We've been doing it for decades and it has been a community favorite every single time!  

Every November, our KEY Team, partners, and volunteers spend days preparing a traditional imu on our grounds as we have the special honor of cooking family meals for hundreds to enjoy.  Then, on Thanksgiving eve, approximately 350 turkeys make their way into the ground for the night, and come out bright and early Thanksgiving morning  where our network of teamwork gets busy sorting and distributing them all while still hot.  


Tickets sell quickly so always keep an eye out around October! 


Mahalo to our loving community for your continued support

Kalo Fest

March not only brings the beginning of Spring, but it marks the time for Kalo Fest!


This event has become a staple of our  ʻāina based connectivity to our neighboring farm and wet lands.  Our ahupuaʻa is host to a rich lineage of kalo and we enjoy bringing the community together to learn about this natural foundation of our surrounding culture through music, educational and vendor booths, food, and more. 


Mahalo for supporting us in 2024

Mothers & Others

Each year we invite the special women in our lives (as well as anyone else who has held space in the development and growth of our keiki) to our campus on the Saturday before Mothers' Day to celebrate and honor them for all that they do for our future generations. 



Mahalo for your support of A Morning of Mu'u & Mana 2024

Fathers' Day

Every Saturday before Fathers' Day, KEY offers a fun filled event to recognize and entertain all of the father figures in our lives.  From food and games to entertainment and dad jokes, families come together to enjoy each other's company in celebration of those who represent the paternal roles for us.  



Mahalo for your continued support of our event

Summer Bash

2024 is the inaugural year for our newest fundraising event, aimed to be another annual tradition for KEY!  This event will host a hō'ike from program participants, plus a concert of live music and other entertainment, along with food and vendor booths.  






Come and join us!  Support. Serve. Sustain.