For many Native Hawaiians, living away from their homeland has become a generational experience. Years before deciding to stay on the continent, our kanaka intended to return home. However, occupation has made that increasingly difficult, leaving many Native Hawaiians yearning for a sense of belonging—a place to call home away from home. They sought a community that embraced the values, care, and aloha we embody in all that we do. Nā Lei Makalapua became a vessel for our kanaka to stay connected to our home, Hawaiʻi.

Today, 30 years later, Nā Lei Makalapua is home to over a dozen chartered clubs, representing more than a dozen states across the Continental United States. With nearly 1,000 members throughout Moku Honu, Nā Lei Makalapua continues to raise awareness of and advocate for our Hawaiian community.