Our Purpose
Inoanāiwi is a grassroots, community-led movement based in Hawaiʻi. Our purpose is to restore severed relationships between people and ‘āina in Hawaiʻi through returning land to Kanaka Maoli.
Through the historical and ongoing colonization and unjust land practices in Hawaiʻi, Kānaka Maoli (Native Hawaiians) have faced innumerable challenges. ʻĀina (land) has suffered immensely since the displacement of its original caretakers carrying the lineal responsibility of stewardship. We carry the reality that it is through this history of injustice that we all have been defragmented from a pono (right) relationship to land. Therefore, we all have a responsibility to restore this pilina (relationship) to ʻāina, beginning with the work of returning land to Kānaka Maoli. 

We believe in the power of collective action, and feel compelled to co-labor alongside Kānaka Maoli to live and thrive in their ancestral homeland - now and for future generations. We believe that this liberating work offers us all an invitation to return home in the deepest sense within us, and to re-member our pilina to ‘āina and kuleana to each other. 

We donʻt need to wait for our local, state, and federal government agencies. Together we can grow right relationships of reciprocity by pursuing justice and reconciliation together.

Inoanāiwi is a collective of individuals, families, businesses, and organizations that are partnered together because we believe we can heal and transform the legacy of colonization in Hawaii. We invite you to join us in this vital work.

We want to do everything in our power to help Native Hawaiian people live and thrive on their ancestral land - now and for future generations. To do this, we invite individuals, families, businesses, and organizations to collectively give 'āina back to Kānaka Maoli. 


​What does Inoanāiwi mean?

“That the bones would rest” 

​The name of our grassroots movement captures the vision of what we are moving toward - rest for all of our iwi (bones). We long to see land be restored to Kānaka Maoli, and for there to be a safe place for their iwi of past, present, and future to rest. We also believe in the power of this moment to bring deep healing and rest to historical and generational injustices committed in the lineage of those who choose to partner with us in solidarity. We long to see rest for all of our Iwi and lineages we represent.

We give our mahalo to kūpuna, ‘Anakala ‘Iokepa DeSantos of Honolulu, O'ahu for gifting us with this name. 

Before being gifted the name Inoanāiwi, we had been known as "Greenline Hawai'i." Our name and lineage comes from Greenline Housing Foundation, an organization based in California. We are grateful for the ways that our Greenline Housing Foundation partners have been a gift to us throughout this process. Inoanāiwi is a descendant of Greenline, and our work shares so much of Greenline's values and DNA. 

Our First Endeavor
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​Inoanāiwi's pilot project was to raise $170,500 so that the Kanui ʻohana (Makaiwa, Maikaʻi, and their two sons) could become homeowners on Hawaiʻi island. This is where they were both born and raised, and where they now serve as cultural practitioners, community organizers, artists, musicians, gatherers, ministers, parents, and a beloved member of their greater 'ohana community.

Through the grassroots efforts of a community, $170,500 was raised. The funds were given freely and in the spirit of aloha, without strings or expectation of repayment.

​How to Get Involved

Join the collective effort of Inoanāiwi:


​Other Ways to Join Us

Here are a few ways to support our work:
  • Encourage your friends, families and neighbors to donate to Inoanāiwi.
  • Organize your business, organization, school, or religious group to give to Inoanāiwi.
  • Do you own land in Hawai'i? Consider endowing the land to Native Hawaiian people.
  • Do you have skills and capacity to volunteer? Contact us at [email protected], and let us know!


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