ʻUmeke is a Native Hawaiian-led cultural nonprofit based in North County San Diego dedicated to preserving and sharing Native Hawaiian arts and cultural traditions through intergenerational learning, storytelling, and accessible community programming. Through programs such as cultural arts workshops, and community partnerships focused on wellness and cultural education, ʻUmeke strengthens cultural identity and connection to Hawaiʻi for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities living in diaspora while welcoming broader community participation.
General Operating Support from the California Arts Council will strengthen ʻUmeke’s organizational capacity by supporting core operational expenses such as personnel for administrative/ operation support, facility costs for cultural programming, and essential infrastructure. This investment allows ʻUmeke to sustain and expand culturally rooted arts education, deepen partnerships with community organizations, and increase access to Native Hawaiian cultural traditions for diverse communities throughout the region.
ʻUmeke’s core programs and services preserve and share Native Hawaiian culture while strengthening identity and connection for communities living in the diaspora. Our core offerings include hula, ʻukulele, and other cultural arts workshops that foster intergenerational learning, cultural knowledge, and creative expression. In partnership with organizations focused on wellness and healing, ʻUmeke also develops culturally grounded programs that integrate arts, storytelling, and community engagement to support identity, resilience, and community wellbeing.