moʻolelo
OUR STORY
It began with a question:
What would it look like if our public spaces truly reflected the stories, culture, and beauty of Hawaiʻi?
Rob Iopa, President of WCIT Architecture, had long been inspired by the concept of “place”—not just as a location, but as a living canvas shaped by history, community, and identity. As an architect, he had spent decades designing with a deep respect for cultural narratives and Hawaiian values. But increasingly, he saw how many of Hawaiʻi’s public spaces lacked the very essence that made each community unique. These were spaces that could, and should, be more—more vibrant, more meaningful, and more connected to the stories of the land.
With this vision, Rob began to imagine a new kind of effort. One that didn’t just design for place, but with place. One that would bring together artists, cultural practitioners, community members, and design professionals to co-create public spaces that uplifted everyone. Spaces that honored storied landscapes and invited locals and visitors alike to engage with the living history around them.
That vision became Mālama Kīpuka Hawaiʻi (MKH).
Founded as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in the State of Hawaiʻi, MKH was created with a singular purpose: to mālama (care for) our public spaces by infusing them with cultural meaning, historical recognition, and community vibrancy. The name “Kīpuka” itself reflects this purpose—a Hawaiian word that refers to an area of land spared by lava, where life endures and thrives. Just like a kīpuka in the forest, public spaces can become sanctuaries—places of growth, reflection, and resilience.
Through partnerships with communities, cultural leaders, government agencies, and private organizations, MKH began its work of transformation. Whether through murals that depict moʻolelo (stories) of place, reimagined park spaces that reflect indigenous ecological knowledge, or wayfinding elements that help residents reconnect with their ahupua‘a, each project is guided by a belief that our shared spaces deserve care, intention, and aloha.
Today, Mālama Kīpuka Hawaiʻi continues to stand at the intersection of culture, design, and community empowerment. It invites all of us to look at our surroundings not just as infrastructure, but as living stories waiting to be honored—and to be part of shaping places that nourish our spirits as much as our senses.
Help us to create and preserve public spaces that tell our stories.
Help us mālama our kīpuka.
