Project Shaka
Hawaiʻi-based civic initiative promoting the shaka gesture
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Project Shaka is an American civic initiative of Honolulu-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit ID8 that works to share Aloha Spirit through the shaka hand gesture.[1][2][3] Its activities include the production of Shaka: A Story of Aloha, an educational documentary on the origin, meanings and uses of the shaka gesture,[4] advocacy that culminated in passage of a 2024 Hawaiʻi law designating the shaka the official state gesture,[5][6][7] and community programs such as a specialty shaka license plate[8][9] and a shaka-based classroom curriculum.[10][11]
History
Project Shaka developed alongside the feature documentary Shaka: A Story of Aloha, produced by ID8, which explores the gesture's history and cultural meanings and traces competing origin accounts.[3][4] The film premiered at the Visual Communications (LA Asian Pacific) Film Festival on May 2, 2024,[12] and later screened at the Hawaiʻi International Film Festival (HIFF) in October–November 2024.[13] HIFF subsequently announced the documentary as its Audience Choice Award winner for Best Documentary Feature in 2024.[14]
In 2024, Project Shaka founder Steve Sue wrote a bill, unanimously approved by the Hawaiʻi Legislature and signed into law by Governor Josh Green, designating the shaka as the State's official gesture—the first state gesture in the United States.[7][5][6] The law also authorizes the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts to develop a public work of art related to the shaka and its history.[7][15]
Programs
Specialty license plate
In May 2024, counties in Hawaiʻi began offering a license plate featuring the shaka gesture under the statewide nonprofit plate framework; local outlets reported statewide availability on and after May 23, 2024.[8][16][17] On Oʻahu, the City and County of Honolulu lists "Project Shaka" among organizational plate options, with an initial fee of $30.50 and a $25 annual renewal, of which $20 is directed to ID8, the sponsoring organization.[9] Project Shaka's plate page describes over-the-counter exchanges at county DMVs and availability on all major islands.[18]
Education and curriculum
Project Shaka describes a free social–emotional learning curriculum developed with the Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement that incorporates film clips from the documentary.[10] Regional outlets reported that educator trainings and classroom rollout began in late 2024, including partnerships with the Hawaiʻi Department of Education.[11][19][20]
Documentary outreach
The movement organizes screenings and outreach tied to the documentary Shaka: A Story of Aloha, which features interviews with historians, cultural practitioners, athletes and community members and was exhibited at festivals in 2024.[13][4][21]
Stickers and community outreach
Project Shaka operates a free sticker program intended to promote positive interactions; the initiative offers stickers in multiple sizes and distributes them on request.[22]
Workshops
The initiative offers workshops for corporate, nonprofit and adult learners framed around "solutions with aloha," emphasizing teamwork, leadership and communication.[23]
Monuments and public art
Project Shaka proposes a "Share a Shaka" monuments program; the 2024 statute separately authorizes the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts to develop a public work of art related to the shaka and its history.[24][7]
Emoji application
Project Shaka also describes efforts to create a distinct "shaka" emoji, distinguishing it from the existing "call me" hand emoji.[25]
Organization
Project Shaka is produced by ID8 (ide•ate), a Honolulu-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization; ID8's tax-exempt status is listed in ProPublica's Nonprofit Explorer.[1][2]