Kapa Hawaiʻi — Mālama ʻĀina, Build ʻOhana
Experience Kapa — a local currency rooted in Hawaiian values, weaving together Aloha, sustainability, and economic resilience for Hawaiʻi Island
Blending Universal Basic Income with community currency to empower families, honor cultural heritage, and strengthen island resilience
🌟 Our Vision
To build an abundant, resilient, and culturally rich economy on Hawaiʻi Island where economic security, ecological health, and authentic Hawaiian heritage are mutually supportive and accessible to every member of the community.
💚 What Is Kapa Hawaiʻi?
Kapa Hawaiʻi is an innovative, community-led economic system that integrates Universal Basic Income (UBI) with a local complementary currency (Kapa). Named after the traditional Hawaiian bark cloth, Kapa symbolizes resilience, craftsmanship, and deep connection to the land.
💎 The Kapa System: Two Engines of Prosperity
- 🌊 UBI Foundation: Daily income (~1% on contributions) from regenerative farms and cultural programs
- 🌺 Kapa Currency: Convert $1 USD → 2 Kapa to double your local purchasing power
Core Benefits
- Lōkahi (Local Unity): Kapa keeps wealth circulating within Hawaiʻi Island, helping small farms, artisans, and cultural practitioners thrive
- Mālama ʻĀina (Care for Land): Revenue funds regenerative agriculture, native reforestation, and community land trusts
- Pono (Transparent Governance): Community-led council of kūpuna, farmers, and stakeholders ensures ethical operations
- Aloha (Cultural Preservation): Supports ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi language, hana noʻeau crafts, and traditional knowledge
🌱 Our Kuleana (Responsibility): An equitable, regenerative local economy that honors Hawaiian knowledge and sustains future generations
💖 Guided by Hawaiian Values
Mālama ʻĀina
Care for the Land
Prioritizing regenerative agriculture, native reforestation, soil health, and eco-sustainability in all investments. Revenue directly supports land healing and restoration.
Aloha
Mutual Respect, Love, Compassion
Ensuring fair governance, cultural preservation, and economic support for local families and vulnerable communities. Enhanced rates for kūpuna (elders).
Lōkahi
Unity, Collaboration
Strengthening community by keeping wealth circulating locally through Kapa currency, supporting local entrepreneurs and island businesses.
Pono
Righteousness, Balance
Maintaining transparency, ethical investment, and fair distribution within the UBI program. All operations auditable by the community.
🌊 How Kapa Hawaiʻi Works
- Join & Learn (Aʻo) — Complete brief cultural literacy module on Hawaiian values and sustainable island living. Receive 50 Kapa welcome gift.
- Contribute (Kuleana) — Make financial contribution or volunteer skills. Funds support regenerative farms and cultural programs.
- Receive Daily UBI — Earn ~1% daily on contributions from sustainable revenue streams (organic farming, cultural workshops, hana noʻeau).
- Convert to Kapa — Exchange USD → Kapa at 2:1 ratio to double local purchasing power at registered island businesses.
- Spend Locally (Lōkahi) — Use Kapa at farmers markets, craft vendors, cultural practitioners — keeping wealth in the ʻohana.
- Participate in Governance (Pono) — Members shape investment decisions and community initiatives through transparent voting.
🌺 A community-led, place-based approach that centers people, land, and culture — ensuring prosperity circulates where it matters most 🌺
🎨 Cultural Preservation & Community Programs
Kapa Hawaiʻi directly funds initiatives that preserve and celebrate authentic Hawaiian culture:
- ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi: Hawaiian language classes and immersion programs
- Hana Noʻeau: Traditional craft workshops (kapa making, lauhala weaving, lei making)
- Kapa Harvest Festivals: Seasonal cultural gatherings where Kapa is the only accepted currency
- Kūpuna Support: Enhanced exchange rates (2.5 Kapa per USD) for verified elders
- Youth Education: Teaching sustainable living and Hawaiian values to future generations
- Community Land Trusts: Preserving cultural sites and native ecosystems
🌾 Sustainable Revenue Streams
Regenerative Farming
Organic produce, traditional foods
Cultural Tourism
Farm stays, workshops, education
Hana Noʻeau
Traditional crafts, art, services
Diverse, ethical revenue ensures long-term sustainability and resilient UBI payouts
📬 E Komo Mai — Get Involved
Ready to honor your Kuleana and join the movement? Learn about partnership opportunities, cultural programs, and ways to support our island ʻohana.