Kaiāulu ‘o Kaka‘ako Owners Association

About the KOK Association

The Kaiāulu ‘o Kaka‘ako Owners Association (KOK Association) is a nonprofit organization that works closely with Kamehameha Schools to ensure the overall Our Kaka‘ako community is an attractive, progressive, and desirable place to live, work, play, and visit. The KOK Association reviews plans for future development projects within the Kaiāulu ‘o Kaka‘ako Master Plan (KKMP) to ensure they take into account established guidelines that preserve the sense of continuity and cohesiveness. All owners of developed parcels within the KKMP community are members of the KOK Association.

This special place has attracted a diverse community of residents and businesses, a lasting trait from Kaka‘ako’s history rooted in industry, immigration, innovation, and identity. As Our Kaka‘ako continues to grow, the KOK Association remains committed to ensuring all residents benefit from living in this vibrant, urban island community that honors the Hawaiian values, culture, and sense of place that form its foundation.

Here’s what a few residents have to say about living in Our Kaka‘ako:

“I like that everything’s very walkable here. It feels safe. It feels welcoming. It has a lot of cool energy about this area.”
– Jordan

“It’s a really exciting urban community, and it’s a place where people can get a taste of being integrated with local culture, local people, and some unique stores and shops here.” – Monica

“It’s a very interesting cross section of people. We thought it was going to be a lot of folks from elsewhere, but it’s a lot of folks from Hawai‘i like ourselves who are empty nesters, or they just want a change and come into town and enjoy all the nice things that are here.“ – Kevin

The Our Kaka‘ako community is located in the former ‘ili of Ka‘ākaukukui and has a history grounded in Native Hawaiian values, cultural diversity, industry, and entrepreneurship. These are reflected in the fabric of our neighborhood, from building names and architecture to artwork, green spaces, and mix of small businesses. Learn more about the historical evolution of this region by watching The History of Our Kaka‘ako video.

To celebrate the historical and cultural origins of the Kaka‘ako region, Our Kaka‘ako collaborated with Chef Mark Noguchi on a three-part documentary video series called Look to the Source: Nānā I Ke Kumu that focuses on the connection between Hawaiian culture, history, and the food we grow and consume locally. The short videos highlight local cuisine, local farms, and a featured Our Kaka‘ako restaurant where “Chef Gooch” and the restaurant’s chef prepare dishes while talking story.

There is an ‘ōlelo no‘eau, a traditional Hawaiian saying: “nānā i ke kumu,” which means, “look to the source.” This is the title of the series because it beautifully expresses the notion that knowing where we come from grounds us in the culture and values that will shape our future.

We hope you enjoy watching the Look to the Source videos as they are introduced over the coming weeks as well as the Behind the Scenes video.

The KOK Association sponsors district-wide programs, events, and activities that promote social engagement, cultural and educational opportunities, innovation and entrepreneurism, and community health and well-being. Sponsored events include the very popular Honolulu Night Market, ‘Ohana Stargazing, Bark in the Park, and Honolulu Food & Wine Festival.

The Honolulu Night Market made its exhilarating return in June after a two-year hiatus to a crowd of thousands, all excited to experience everything that Our Kaka‘ako has to offer: “onolicious” food, trendy fashion, and spirited entertainment in an open-air block party spanning Keawe and Auahi Streets, SALT at Our Kaka‘ako, and Kaloko‘eli Courtyard. At the Honolulu Night Market: Summer Kickoff hosted by Shaka by CPB, attendees enjoyed a fashion show by talented local design firm Ola Hou Designs, fresh from its New York City Fashion Week debut, an energetic bboy street dance competition courtesy of the Style Monarchs, indoor soccer games and a keiki clinic with Paradise Soccer Club, and a bevy of up-and-coming musicians, including Kennedy Taylor and the Electric Pancakes, TheBrewz, Made to Order, and Lovejack. Alongside all this, 60+ pop-up retailers and food tents and trucks served up an array of mouthwatering cuisines and handcrafted merchandise. The Kaiāulu ‘o Kaka‘ako Owners Association was pleased to sponsor the event, along with presenting sponsor Shaka by Central Pacific Bank, corporate sponsor Hawaiian Electric, and radio partners Da Bomb and KUMU.

We are pleased to bring our community together, support local small businesses, and celebrate our island way of life. Stay tuned for our next Honolulu Night Market, which we anticipate in the fall!

Blending modern astronomy with traditional Hawaiian wayfinding and mo‘olelo (stories), ‘Ohana Stargazing gathered hundreds of people of all ages under the stars to explore the constellations and their significance to life on earth and Polynesian voyaging. Visitors enjoyed tours of the night sky through powerful telescopes as well as virtual wayfinding, keiki crafts, a live star compass mural painting, and walks through a scaled model of the solar system. Seeing so many enthusiastic stargazers join us, Our Kaka‘ako anticipates hosting an encore event on a clear night in the future.

These events draw Our Kaka‘ako residents, kama‘āina, and visitors alike to the community; support tenant businesses; and create an engaging, lively atmosphere for all. Other sponsored activities include pet-friendly events, community cleanups, scavenger hunts, talk stories, and music concerts. The KOK Association also subsidizes the free WiFi access available throughout the neighborhood’s nine mauka blocks. 

The Kaiāulu ‘o Kaka‘ako Owners Association looks forward to working with interested community partners in creating opportunities, programs, and public events and activities that benefit the Our Kaka‘ako neighborhood.