Nalukai Programs
Nalukai offers programs for Hawai’i high school students - from intensive 10-day summer boarding experiences to focused 1-day community workshops. All programs are 100% free and grounded in Native Hawaiian values and place-based learning. Students work with mentors from both industry and cultural practice, connecting entrepreneurial problem-solving with Hawaii's unique challenges and traditions.
Spring Regional Program
Spring 2027 | Waimea, Hawai’i Island
We're inviting current West and North Hawaiʻi Island high school students to join us at Kanu o Ka ʻĀina Charter School. During this 6-day innovative stewardship experience, you'll work with local industry experts, cultural practitioners, and community leaders to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges facing our island and collaborate with peers to develop products, services, campaigns, and other solutions to remedy them.
Fall Regional Program
October 5-10, 2026 | Hilo, Hawai’i Island
Open to current East Hawaiʻi Island high school students, including those at Keaʻau High School, Pāhoa High School, Kamehameha Schools Keaʻau Campus, Waiakea High School, Hilo High School, Ke Kula ʻO Nāwahīokalani'ōpuʻu, Ka ʻŪmeke Kāʻeo, Kua o Ka Lā, and Laupāhoehoe Community Public Charter School.
2026 Moku Design Challenge
Fall 2026 | Hawai’i Island
Our new 1-day Moku Design Challenge condenses the Nalukai experience into a more structured day to examine an issue specific to your moku. Learn from experts, engage with entrepreneurs, ideate solutions, then consider how to extend your involvement within your community.
Is your school or business interested in partnering? Contact us.
Signature Summer Program
Summer 2027 | Location TBD
Our Summer Program is a 10-day, overnight camp that epitomizes the full Nalukai experience. This intensive camp brings together several dozen high school students from around Hawai’i to identify issues, ideate solutions, interview constituents, build and test prototypes, and present your solution to the community at our final ho’ike. Prepare to be challenged and inspired in ways that you’ve never been before.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Each program has a specific application period. You can go to one f the program webpages to get the most up-to-date info, and sign up for email updates.
-
There are no fees to attend Nalukai. Our Summer program does require students to arrange for their own travel to the program location, but we do offer financial assistance as well.
-
Nalukai serves a broad range of students from public, private and charter schools representing a wide socioeconomic background. Students are required to submit a written application, which alongside a teacher recommendation, serves as the basis for evaluating whether they are a good fit for our programs. We are not looking for straight A students, but rather, those who are looking to be inspired and make a difference in Hawai’i.
-
Nalukai programs will not teach you the nitty gritty of starting a specific business (e.g. how to create a financial model, raise money, manage manufacturing, etc). Students are taught how to critically think about problems facing Hawai’i and how to ideate and test solutions.
-
The Nalukai experience requires students to attend 100% of the program days.
-
Students in the Spring, Summer, and Fall programs receive a free laptop.
Innovative Stewardship & Ethical Entrepreneurship
Learn ethical entrepreneurship and business development skills through direct engagement with Lean Startup and Design Thinking practices including problem validation, solution ideation, prototyping and experimental product design and iteration through retrospectives guided by models such as the Triple Bottom Line and cultural values.
Community & Career Development
Our kaiāulu (community) is growing! Over 230+ alumni create a network of future industry leaders and add to our worldwide community of mentors. Both during and after camp, Founders receive world-class mentorship from industry professionals, cultural practitioners, and educators.
Cultural Understanding
Hawaiian culture and place-based learning inform and guide a new model of entrepreneurship where Hawaiʻi is put first. Nalukai emphasizes ethical and self-perpetuating business models that are ʻāina-centric and guided by the unique cultural landscape of Hawaiʻi.
Leadership Development
We believe that every member of a team practices leadership in their own way. Nalukai provides a safe environment for Founders to explore different leadership roles and discover their own ways to lead through 360-Degree and Co-active Leadership models.
Storytelling & Communication
Founders are encouraged to make it personal and incorporate their identity and perspective into persuasive communication to secure needed support for their ventures in a culminating Hōʻike event.
Design & Technology Skill Application
Learn how to hone and practice design and technology skills to build entrepreneurial ventures. Use AI to research and prototype your ideas. Multi-day programs give each student a free laptop.