Located in the rural North Kohala district of Hawai‘i-island this project has developed innovative mentoring programs for Hawaiian youth that meld traditional knowledge with contemporary technologies.

Traditional Hawaiian products and crafts have been slowly disappearing due to fewer opportunities for adolescents to learn the skills necessary to produce them. Ka Hana No‘eau brings an older generation of craftsmen and practitioners, and puts them together with young students in a unique mentoring program that will preserve traditional knowledge, products and, skills. An important and major portion of the program is an entrepreneurial component that introduces students to the marketing possibilities that their newly acquired skills will produce.

David Fuertes
Program Director

Born and raised in Kaumakani, Kauai, and a graduate of Waimea High and University of Hawaii Mānoa campus in Tropical Agriculture (Bachelor's of Science) with a Professional Diploma. Served 30 years in the State Department of Education teaching Agriculture, Career Technical Education West Hawaii District Resource Teacher, and State FFA Executive Secretary. Currently Chairperson of State DBEDT Community Based Economic Development Board and served on numerous County, State, and Federal boards and commissions. Former Hawaii County Deputy Managing Director.

David is a part-time rancher and Hawaiian saddle-maker. His passion is working with youth in entrepreneurial development programs. He is currently serving as the Program Director for the Ka Hana No‘eau.