Written By Mahie Wilhelm
At the junction of the Kaloʻs hā and lau lies the piko. This is the navel of the plant. An indispensable connection that tethers the ʻiʻo at the base of the kalo to the outstretched alo of the lau. I ke kau ʻana o ka lā i ke alo o ka lau, momona ka ʻiʻo. When the sun beams down on the leaf, the corm becomes rich because of its connection to the lau through the piko. Hāloa teaches us that without a piko, intricate systems that bind us together would collapse.
Much like the kalo, at the center of Kapunawaiola o Kapalai now stands our piko. Seven years ago a vision was planted to build a hale where our community can gather and fellowship. Under the leadership and teachings of Uncle Earl Kawaʻa, countless hands came together to set the foundation and build this piko. A piko that will connect kanaka to ʻāina and akua, an essential junction for our wellbeing. A piko where moʻolelo will be told, lessons will be taught, and our keiki will laugh and play under the protection of the malu. A piko where, regardless of where you come from or your background, you will feel welcomed and restored. This hale is the navel of Kapalai.
