Purple Maiʻa

Kaikaina Kula

Empowering community through the application of indigenous innovation, technology and computer science.

For close to a decade Purple Maiʻa has been at the forefront of Indigenous Innovation and Computer Science here in Hawai’i.  We have grown from our humble beginnings as a small after school coding program at Jarrett Middle School to now reaching over 700 Keiki across the Pae ‘Āina every year.  As we look to the future we are excited to expand our programs into what we call our Kaikaina Kula!

The word Kula is most often associated with the western model of education that we know today as school.  However, if we dig deeper, we find that a Kula also describes an open field ready to be cultivated.  This is how we at Purple Maiʻa choose to view our Kula.  We create fertile educational spaces in which our haumāna can be planted, nurtured, and eventually grow to produce amazing fruit.

Our programs

A partnership of Purple Maiʻa, WCC, and Kailua High for students’ academic success, confidence building, problem-solving, and community support. Hālau Hekili equips students with skills and cultural values for a thriving future.

Discover your piko, ignite passion, and live your purpose. The Future Ancestors Program empowers students to blend tradition and tech, amplifying ancestral wisdom. Uncover value in your community, paving the way for Indigenous Innovation and Entrepreneurship rooted in Hawaiian values.

We’re a year-round production studio, incubator, think tank, and educational partner. We aim to cultivate the next generation of tech-empowered storytellers, implement sustainable studio practices, establish ethical storytelling protocols, accelerate youth-created content distribution, and develop new digital tools aligned with our values.

Unlike conventional PD, Purple Maiʻa values teachers’ professionalism. We offer “Pilina Development” instead, recognizing their expertise. Choose from intro to in-depth CS808 sessions tailored to schools and teachers’ needs.

Kaikaina Team

Mike Sarmiento

VP of Educational Design
Jacqueline Kroupa

Jacqueline Kroupa

Lead Creative Technologist

Chris Rothschild

Hālau Hekili Lead Community Technologist

Kiane Prietto

Community Kumu

Cerina Livaudais

Lead Education Technologist
Michelle Fujie

Michelle Fujie

Community Kumu
Jimie Napoleon-Kanaha

Jimie Napoleon-Kanaha

Kumu