The Kula Naia Foundation is a charitable, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, founded in 1990, dedicated to marine research, education and conservation. A major focus of the foundation is research on marine protected species, with an emphasis on oceanic dolphins. We offer educational programs and opportunities to school children, college students and our local community on the Island of Hawai‘i. We are committed to promoting community involvement in the stewardship of our natural resources and to fostering communication with management agencies.

Our Goals are:

• To conduct and coordinate research on wild populations of whales and dolphins.
• To work with educators and community members by serving as an educational resource and by providing courses and internship opportunities for high school students, community members and university marine science students.
• To promote the awareness of the importance of a healthy marine ecosystem.
• To serve an advisory function to Federal and State agencies regarding marine conservation issues.

Most of the efforts of the foundation has been focused on studying spinner dolphins of the island of Hawai‘i. However, from its inception, the mission of the foundation has included both public education and marine conservation. We have been engaged in marine education and outreach in West Hawai‘i since 1989, both in community organizations and in the local schools. We are striving to foster a better understanding of the marine environment and how human activities may affect the health of the environment in general and the lives of it’s inhabitants. We currently provide marine education programs for both high school students, through our Ocean Explorers Program, and university students focusing on the marine mammals and coral reef ecosystems of Hawai‘i.

• History of Research Page
• Conservation Page
• Ocean Explorers Page