Our Mission and Vision for a Better Tomorrow
We are committed to creating meaningful change through our mission today and our vision for a brighter, more compassionate future.
Our Mission
Alaula Life Foundation embraces Hawaiʻi’s statewide commitment to a clean, sustainable future. Through the 2050 Sustainability Plan and the Aloha+ Challenge, Hawaiʻi has set ambitious goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, transition to 100% renewable energy, and safeguard natural resources for future generations. By offering water cremation, Alaula contributes to these efforts, reducing reliance on fossil fuels while providing families with an option that is both compassionate and climate-conscious.
Our Vision
To honor and sustain the full circle of life—from birth to death and beyond—guided by Hawaiʻi’s cultural values, respect for ʻāina (the land), and the interconnectedness of all people.
Providing help when it
matters most
Education & Lifelong Learning
Sustainable Development
End-of-Life Care Services
Community Empowerment
Honoring Life, Honoring the Land
Alaula draws deep inspiration from Hawaiʻi’s abundant natural power, especially the earth’s own geothermal energy. Just as geothermal wells reach down to the core of the land, Alaula’s services reach to the core of respect: for ʻāina, for community, for the sacred circle of life. The same forces that slowly shape the land over centuries remind us of our responsibility: to choose practices that nurture, not deplete; that sustain, not consume.
A Step Toward a Greener Future
Traditional cremation by fire releases carbon emissions, consumes fossil fuels, and demands high energy inputs. Water cremation (alkaline hydrolysis) is a cleaner, gentler alternative. It uses far less energy, often powered by Hawaii’s expanding renewable grid and produces fewer pollutants. By choosing water cremation, families can:
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions
- Lessen demand on nonrenewable fuel sources
- Help lower the carbon footprint of end-of-life practices
How It Aligns With Hawaii’s Renewable Energy Goals
Hawaiʻi is committed to transitioning toward 100 % renewable energy, targeting clean, carbon-free sources like geothermal, solar, wind, and ocean power. Alaula’s sustainable memorial practices, including water cremation, contribute to this vision in several ways:
Energy Matching & Demand Reduction
Every time we opt for low-energy memorial options, we reduce strain on the grid and on fossil fuel dependence. It’s synergistic with geothermal power, which provides consistent baseload energy, day and night.
Supporting Infrastructure Investment
As demand grows for renewable energy, infrastructure (transmission lines, storage, geothermal plants) will expand. Alaula’s practices help make that investment more valuable by reducing pressure from high-energy-intensive services, leaving more capacity for creative, vital uses in our communities.
Preserving ʻāina And Cultural Heritage
Clean, safe energy sources like geothermal reflect indigenous Hawaiian values of stewardship, balance, and interconnection. Choosing memorial practices that align with these values honors both the person we grieve and the land that gives us life.
Honoring Hawaiian Traditions
In Hawaiian culture, the return of the body to the ʻāina (land) is sacred. Traditional practices emphasized gentleness, reverence, and balance with nature. Water cremation reflects these values: it is a clean, natural process that uses water, a life-giving force deeply rooted in Hawaiian cosmology, rather than fire or chemicals. By choosing this path, families are honoring both loved ones and the cultural wisdom of Hawaiʻi.
Partnerships and Shared Stewardship
Alaula is not only a service but also a movement for collective responsibility. We work alongside Native Hawaiian organizations, burial councils, and community leaders to ensure that end-of-life practices are grounded in respect for ʻāina and ʻike kupuna (ancestral knowledge). These partnerships strengthen community bonds and guide us in maintaining cultural integrity while advancing sustainable choices.
Understanding Burial Practices
Hawaiian burial traditions carry profound spiritual and cultural meaning. Through educational resources, Alaula provides respectful explanations of these practices and shows how water cremation aligns with their values. This creates a bridge between tradition and innovation, honoring kupuna while offering sustainable paths forward.
Cleaner, Greener Future
Our solutions are designed with the planet in mind — reducing carbon emissions, maximizing clean energy use, and minimizing land impact. By choosing eco-friendly practices, we help create a greener, more sustainable future for generations to come.
Data for a Greener Future
Our work is guided by measurable outcomes. Alaula will present transparent metrics such as:
