The Hawai'i Tourism Authority and the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement are scheduling workshops around the state this summer to help organizations apply for grants under the 2009 Kukulu Ola — Living Hawaiian Culture Program.

Last year, 20 organizations received more than $830,000 in funding through the program that provides support for organizations that perpetuate Hawaiian culture.

"HTA continues to dedicate resources to support organizations and businesses with programs and projects that perpetuate and respectfully portray the Hawaiian culture," said Rex Johnson, president and chief executive officer of HTA.

"Our partnership with CNHA has helped us to reach the broader Hawaiian community as shown by the increase in quality applications that we received last year," Johnson said.

Robin Danner, CNHA president and chief executive officer, said her organization is working to make more groups aware of the funding that's available through the program.

"HTA and CNHA's partnership through the HTA Living Hawaiian Culture Program has touched more than 200 participants through last year's workshops," she said.

"We greatly appreciate HTA's leadership in supporting the very essence of Hawai'i that makes it a top visitor destination, and we encourage organizations to learn more about this great funding opportunity."

To assist individuals and organizations with the application process, HTA and CNHA will be holding free statewide workshops throughout the summer to provide technical assistance and training that will explain objectives of the Kukulu Ola — Living Hawaiian Culture Program, including the application and award process.

Registration forms for the workshops will be available beginning July 7 at www.living hawaiianculture.org. Beginning July 15, application packets for the program will be available for pickup at CNHA's office 1050 Queen St., Suite 200, as well as at workshop locations.

Proposals must be received no later than 6 p.m. Oct. 10 at CNHA's office.

The programs are selected on criteria designed to address the goal and objectives of the Hawai'i Tourism Strategic Plan.

The objectives include: strengthening the relationship between the visitor industry and the Hawaiian community; nurturing the Hawaiian culture by creating visitor experiences, activities and marketing programs that are respectful and accurate; and supporting Hawaiian programs and cultural practitioners, craftsmen, musicians and other artists who preserve and perpetuate the Hawaiian culture.

The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement is a nonprofit organization that enhances the cultural, economic and community development of Native Hawaiians by supporting community-based organizations that contribute to the well-being of the Hawaiian Islands and its people.