Call for Applications: 2025/26 Fully funded Global Eahou Immersion Cohort for local and global leaders passionate about cross-cultural collaboration

Ednah Carrick September 27, 2025

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Closing Date: 8 October 2025

Call for Applications: 2025/26 Fully funded Global Eahou Immersion Cohort for local and global leaders passionate about cross-cultural collaboration

The Global Eahou Immersion is a cohort of local and global leaders that will take part in a virtual and in-person, place-based learning experience, including a three-day immersion and a three-day public festival based on Oʻahu. Participants will explore how ancestral knowledge, technology, and entrepreneurship intersect to shape a regenerative, inclusive economy.

Building a Values-based Immersion Cohort

Approximately 30 participants selected through applications and nominations that are commited to cross-cultural, cross-sector collaboration and eager to knowledge share, solution solve and integrate new learnings into their practice and communities.

Global Leaders

25% Global community leaders including field builders, designers, entrepreneurs, activists, healers and non-traditional thinkers. 25% past grantees, partners, and collaborators across the Breakout community.

Indigenous Leaders

25% Native Hawaiian community leaders, entrepreneurs, cultural practitioners, and nonprofit directors. 25% International Indigenous leaders from across Oceania, the Global South, and abroad. At least 50% of participants must be non US citizens.

Areas of Expertise

Who Eahou is Looking For

Eahou encourage participants to have the support of their organization, community, or institution, and to be ready to integrate learnings into their ongoing work and networks. While not required, it is beneficial if you bring a platform, practice, or initiative that has the potential to grow or influence others. Eahou welcome cultural practitioners, organizers, technologists, and visionaries committed to justice and innovation, with at least 10 years of experience, within:

Cohort Programming

Digital Cohort

Monthly virtual gatherings facilitated by Native Hawaiian community leader Hiʻilani Shibata of Ka Mahina Project including moʻolelo (storytelling), knowledge sharing, peer exchange, context setting, panel discussions, collaborative solution solving and pilina (relationship) building. Beginning November 2025.

Oʻahu Immersion

Oʻahu site visits and hands-on learning focused on ahupuaʻa (watershed) restoration, regional food sovereignty, climate resilience, circular economies, historical sites, local businesses, technological innovations and more! On island excursion dates set for April 27-30 2026

Eahou Fest

Eahou Fest is a three day conference-meets-festival in Mōʻiliʻili, Oʻahu that weaves tech, art, music, and education with community activations. Rooted in moʻolelo (storytelling), Ea (sovereignty, life, breath) and ʻŌiwi (Hawaiian) values, it sparks dialogue on circular, regenerative, sovereign futures for Hawaiʻi.

Why Apply

Eahou is gathering a diverse community of leaders, practitioners, and creators who are grounded in values of reciprocity, justice, and innovation. As part of this cohort, you’ll engage with peers across cultures and sectors, weaving together ancestral knowledge and emerging technologies to shape regenerative futures. This is not just about individual growth. It’s about carrying forward what you learn, strengthening your work, your community, and the networks you steward.

What You’ll Gain

Through this experience, you’ll deepen relationships and engage in cross-cultural collaboration, while receiving the support and inspiration needed to advance your project or practice.
You’ll gain exposure to community-led solutions rooted in Hawaiian worldviews, and find opportunities for global visibility and shared advocacy. Most importantly, you’ll have the time and space to reflect, reset, and reimagine what’s possible in your work.

Expected Outcomes

This program seeks to amplify Indigenous voices and leadership in shaping global systems change, while demonstrating how cultural traditions and economic innovation can move in alignment.
It is designed to foster lasting relationships, mentorship, and networks that extend beyond the cohort itself, and to contribute to a growing global movement for Indigenous self-determination, healing, and regeneration.

Program Highlights

A 6-day celebration of moʻolelo (storytelling), ea (sovereignty, life, breath), and place-based innovation, showcasing circular, regenerative, and self-sufficient economic futures for Hawai‘i. All travel, lodging, meals, and programming costs are covered for cohort participants.

Nov 2025: Digital Cohort Begins
Apr 27 & May 3: Travel Dates to and from O’ahu
Apr 28 thr 30: In-person Immersion Cohort
May 1 thr 3: Eahou Fest

Who’s Involved?

This opportunity is a collaboration between Purple Maiʻa Foundation (PMF)—on a mission to empower the next generation of culturally grounded, community-serving technologists and problem solvers—and Breakout, an organization that creates immersive, place-based experiences to connect people, place, and purpose. Together, they are bringing a global community working toward regenerative, just futures.

FAQ

Who can apply to the Eahou Immersion?

Eahou welcome cultural practitioners, organizers, entrepreneurs, community-rooted researchers, technologists, and visionaries committed to economic justice, sovereignty, and innovation. Applicants must be 21+ years old and may apply as individuals or on behalf of a social enterprise.

Will I need to apply for a visa?

Once accepted, international cohort members are responsible for securing their own travel documents, including visas, if required. Participants will be responsible for all personal visa related expenses. Eahou encourage you to begin this process as early as possible after acceptance to avoid delays.