Olelo No'eau
"I kua na'u" - Give me your burden
Our mission statement. I kua na'u. Give me your burden, let us take your heavy weight, let us carry the load. We are here to be an extra pair of hands, a hug, a listening friend, a shoulder to cry on. We are here to help make your day easier, to make your mind clearer, to make your heart fuller, and your will stronger.
Why Kokua (help)?
Kokua because...
- Because keiki, makua, kupuna, and all kama'aina in Hawai'i deserve an inclusive community space where all can be welcomed and celebrated.
- Hawai'i island has nothing like us BUT it should. We bring together coffee, drinks, healthy and filling food, a large safe gated play area for keiki, a library, adult classes, keiki classes, a safe space, celebration of Hawaiian culture and language ,a hub for community events, a place to shop for locally made items from small business owners and makers, a party and event space, a work from home and co-working space, and a judgment free, inclusive hui where all people are ohana.
- Funding options and for local Hawaiian residents are little and rare. We need the support of all our ohana on island and off to help us create a beautiful place where we can support all.
- Parents deserve to relax. A place where they can allow their kids to play in a large, safe, gated area with other keiki, visible from all areas, while parents can kick up their feet on a comfy couch, eat hot food, drink a cold drink, and do whatever they want. Work on the computer, scroll through social media, read a book from our mini library, play a board game from our Game Center, meet and talk story with other community members, and finally be able to take time for themselves.
- This is far more than one ohana's dream. This is a community. This is a movement. And you can be part of this from the beginning.
Mini founders of Keiki and Kope; Kau'ionalani, Kekoaoka'aina, and KeakeakamaiWho We Are
Keiki and Kope is a community center, coffee shop, and play cafe.
To start, we pay all our employees $25/hour, pay for all health and benefits, give free food and drink, and allow free access to the play area for their keiki and ohana. We believe that all people deserve not only a living wage, but a thriving wage, and deserve to be treated as ohana.
Keiki and Kope will have a large, secured, gated, kid's play area, visible from all areas of the cafe and comfortable seating, couches, and swing chairs, so parents, grandparents, and caregivers can rest and kick up their feet, not having to worry about their Keiki's safety, location, or happiness. Not having to be in 90 degree heat in a dirty park, or crouching down in a kid's play center to follow them around. This is a place for parents. A place for adults who need time, space, relaxation, self-care, and community.
We will have a kokua corner with free items for all community members, in an area of the cafe where you can be shielded and out of view so you can collect what you need in piece. Diapers, wipes, clothes, food, water, toys, books, shoes, etc - all available from us and from any community members who feel in their heart to kokua.
We have a mini-library to search through and read new books while hanging out at the hub, a board Game Center with dozens of games to play with, with other members of the hub, and a working space area with printers, laminators, and office supplies for work from home and entrepreneur individuals.
We are also so proud of a very full monthly calendar of events and classes for adults and keiki. Adult classes will have financial literacy, investing 101, lei po'o making, lauhala weaving, jewelry making, pottery, sip n paint, hula, jazz, yoga, home buying 101, 'olelo Hawai'i, sign language, and so much more! Our keiki classes will have hula, ballet, tap dancing, piano, guitar, 'olelo Hawai'i, painting, clay, bath bomb making, jewelry making, slime making, robotics, homeschool educational classes, tutoring, coding, and more.
Our coffee shop will have a full menu of smoothies, bubble tea, lemonades, coffee, and keiki drinks (with 4 or 6oz keiki sizes!) boasting local Hawaiian flavors and locally sourced ingredients. We will also have a full cafe menu of sandwiches, a waffle bar, bento boxes, charcuterie boards, kalua pig, poke, and a huge variety of keiki friendly food and snacks (including vegan, vegetarian, gf, df, allergy friendly items).
We perpetuate Hawaiian culture in all aspects of our business and space and believe in the inclusivity and love that Hawaiian history has taught and shown us.
My name is Ashley Wailele Anderson, founder of Keiki and Kope. As a native Hawaiian, makua to 3 young keiki, business owner, and homeschool mom, I know first hand how lucky we are to live in Hawai'i and be part of my culture, but at the same time, how limiting the resources are on the islands. Hawai'i as a culture is incredibly ohana oriented but the actual resources, help, and community spaces for ohana here, are incredibly slim and many times, non-existent. I want to show my keiki that as kanaka, we have the power to ban together and change things for all of us for the better.
Keiki and Kope founder, Ashley, with husband Travis and two out of their three keiki.What is coming
Big Island's kama'aina and it's visitors currently do not have a safe, inclusive space to feed themselves and their keiki with food, drink, love, play, community, and spirit.
In our physical space, we will meet crucial unmet needs on Hawai'i island. We will be the place for:
- Kama'aina and visitors to shop for keiki toys, books, and locally made items to support the local economy and makers.
- Parents to connect with each other, and finally relax and take time for themselves and their own needs and self-care.
- Keiki to socialize and play in a safe, gated, enriching environment.
- Kupuna to spend time with their ohana in a comfortable and welcoming environment.
- Kanaka to feel supported and celebrated by embracing their culture in a center that not welcomes Hawaiian culture but lives it.
- Learning and growing through classes in all areas of life for all kama'aina and visitors regardless of age.
- Neurodiverse people to feel accepted for who they are.
- Coffee lovers to enjoy great Kona, Big Island, and Hawaiian coffee.
- Remote workers, students, work from home individuals, business owners and others to use a flexible and welcoming work space.
- Kicking your feet up, relaxing, and enjoying a judgment-free, ohana centered space with inclusiveness, support, and aloha at it's heart.
Art Class for KeikiYour Kokua Really Matters
Brick-and-mortar stores are expensive to establish and operate, especially in Hawai'i, one of the most expensive states in the US, so to make this incredible vision a reality, we need your support.
We want to create a truly Hawaiian experience that celebrates our 'aina, our culture, and our kama'aina and we would love your support in any way that you are able to give it.
E malama pono ko'u ohana
Need Financials?
We have a full 3-year profit & loss projection statement with a conservative, moderate, and aggressive profile and full starting cost and breakdown available for anyone who'd like to see before making any commitment.
Please send us an email at [email protected] or contact us on any social media platform.