Partners
Investing in Veteran Voice
Maka‘i Fest and the Rail Corridor Storytelling Initiative are carried by partners who invest in veteran-owned production — funding annual story cycles, training, cultural guidance, and distribution on the road to the 2031 milestone festival.
Rail Corridor Storytelling Initiative · 2026–2031
The Founding Partner
One partner anchors the six-year corridor initiative — present from the first story cycle in late 2026 through the milestone festival in 2031, with an annual highlight story produced by the Manaʻolana team and a permanent place in the 2031 recognition archive.
The Founding Partner position is in conversation. (Founding Partner — TBD)
- Founding Partner designation, 2026–2031 and in the permanent archive
- An annual sponsor highlight story — a produced deliverable, not ad space
- Presence across corridor storytelling pages and the milestone event
- A dedicated partner profile and the 2031 recognition timeline
Lead Partners
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Lead partner & program support
Supporting veteran wellness and the Manaʻolana Media Training Initiative.
The Manaʻolana Project
Presenting organization
Hope • Healing • Growth — the home of the media training initiative and host of the showcase.
Media & Distribution
ʻŌlelo Community Media
Media & distribution
Community media training and broadcast distribution for participant work.
Media Training Partner — TBD
Training support
Production mentorship, equipment, and technical support.
Distribution Partner — TBD
Distribution
Helping veteran work reach a wider audience.
Cultural Groups & Host
Keʻehi Lagoon Memorial (KLMO)
Host site
Home grounds of the Manaʻolana team and veteran community partner at Keʻehi.
Cultural Group — TBD
Cultural grounding
Cultural grounding and place-based guidance for participants.
Cultural Partner — TBD
Cultural guidance
Honoring the Moanalua–Keʻehi ahupuaʻa.
Community Supporters
Veteran-Serving Org — TBD
Community support
Connecting participants with care and resources.
Family & ʻOhana Partner — TBD
Community support
Supporting participants and their families.
Funder — TBD
Funding
Investing in veteran creative voice and making the showcase possible.
Ways to Partner
There are many ways to stand with our creators — from presenting the showcase to giving at the community level. Every contribution supports the training journey.
Presenting Partner
Anchor the showcase and the training initiative as a whole.
- Recognition as a presenting partner across the showcase
- Acknowledgement in participant work where appropriate
- Reserved seating and reception access
- Year-round association with veteran storytelling
Production Partner
Fund or resource veterans’ independent productions — grants, equipment, or post-production support.
- A credited role on the productions you help fund
- Direct support of independent veteran-authored work
- Showcase acknowledgement
- Connection to the producers and their teams
Cultural Partner
Support cultural grounding and place-based guidance.
- Recognition as a cultural partner
- Collaboration on grounding sessions
- Showcase acknowledgement
- A role in honoring place and story
Community Supporter
Give at any level to support veteran creators.
- Recognition in the program
- Updates on participant work
- Invitation to the showcase
- Standing with our creators
Why Partner With Us
Real Impact
Your support directly funds training, independent production, equipment, and mentorship for veteran creators.
Authentic Storytelling
Be part of work that is grounded, honest, and created by the people who lived it.
Community Connection
Join a community of cultural practitioners, veteran-serving orgs, and supporters.
Stand With Our Creators
Partner with Maka‘i Fest to support veteran storytellers and help bring their work to the community. We would love to find the right fit for your organization.
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