Ka Lei o Ka Lāhui
Ka Lei o Ka Lāhui is a newly formed 501(c) (3) non profit organization that is dedicated to providing Hawaiian culture-centered legal and support services to survivors of domestic, sexual, and family violence.
The organization is founded and led by Executive Director, C. Melenani Waiʻalae with over 10 years of experience in providing support and/or legal services to survivors. Board members consist of Hawaiian cultural practitioners and advocates in the field. The applicant has worked with partner organizations in the field that include include: Hawai‘i State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, EPIC ‘Ohana, Family Promise Hawai‘i, University of Hawai‘i Office of Institutional Equity, University of Hawaii at Hilo Title IX Office, Asian Pacific Institute Against Gender Based Violence, Center for Justice Innovation, and White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Native Hawaiians.
Our primary partnership is with EPIC ʻOhana. EPIC ʻOhana has over 25 years of experience in working to strengthen ‘ohana and enhance the welfare of Hawai‘i families through transformative processes that are respectful, collaborative and solution-oriented. EPIC’s newest program, Puʻuhonua ʻo Ka ʻUlulehua (“Puʻuhonua”) provides a cultural space for survivors of domestic, sexual, and family violence through Hawaiian healing practices. Ka Lei o ka Lāhui will expand Pu'uhonua services by providing its survivors with legal assistance in family law matters to include: TROs, custody, child support, stay away orders, and divorce.
Our Services
This organization assists survivors of domestic, sexual, and family violence in partnership with Pu'uhonua ʻo Ka Ululehua of EPIC ʻOhana. Pu'uhonua ʻo Ka Ululehua (hereinafter “Puʻuhonua”) provides Hawaiian cultural services through a holistic approach to assist survivors in healing after violence. Ka Lei o Ka Lāhui will provide culture-centered legal services in partnership with the cultural services of the Puʻuhonua. Pu'uhonua aims to provide cultural support to Kānaka Hawaiʻi survivors through ʻike Hawaiʻi practices, however, all ethnicities are welcome at the Puʻuhonua and Ka Lei o Ka Lāhui. Legal clients will be referred to Ka Lei o Ka Lāhui through the Pu'uhonua and EPIC ʻOhana, as well as other community partnerships with organizations such as Family Promise, Legal Aid Society of Hawaiʻi, Ke Ola Mamo, and Speak Out and UP Law, LLLC. Ka Lei o Ka Lāhui will achieve its program goals through the following tasks and responsibilities.
