Mai Hoopalaleha I Ke Kanu Kalo: Instruction from Old – Do Not Neglect Planting Taro

This article was published in the Hawaiian language newspaper, Kuokoa Home Rule, on August 8, 1911. In it, the author speaks to the transition of land use in Honolulu, as many of the loʻi kalo were beginning to dry out. The author, unnamed, warns that nearly three hundred acres of Honolulu’s kalo lands, at the time in cultivation, will soon no longer be planted. In the end, the reader is called to action:

“Nolaila, e na Hawaii mai paupauaho oukou no ke kanu kalo, a mai hoopalaleha ia hana mikiala o ka aina.” Therefore, to the people of Hawai’i, do not lose enthusiasm for planting kalo, and do not neglect this lively industry of the land.

“Mai Hoopalaleha i ke Kanu Kalo”

No oukou na Hawaii ka makou paipai nui no keia ninau kalo ma keia hope aku, a no ka mea, e pau ana kekahi mau aina kanu kalo nunui o Honolulu nei i ka hoomalooia e ka poe no lakou ia mau kuleana. Ina e hoomaloo io ana keia wahi e ulu mai nei na kalo i keia wa, a ma ka makou koho wale, aneane 300 eka aina kalo e nalowale ana mai ka ulu ana o ke kalo ma Honolulu nei a i ole eha no paha haneri a oi eka aina kalo e pau ana ko lakou kanu ia ana. Nolaila, i pani no ia mau eka aina i nalowale, aia ka pono ia oukou ka poe mawaho aku o Honolulu nei no ko oukou kanu mai i na kalo maloo ma na aina kula me kipohopoho loi, na loi nunui e pono e hoopiha mau aku me na kalo.

Ina nui ke kalo, alaila, hanai na kumulaau puaa, na kinana moa, na pelehu, na kaka, o keia mau holoholona e loaa mai ai na pomaikai mai ia lakou mai i ka mea kanu nui i ke kalo, oiai e ai ana oe i ke kalo, a na ka holoholona na haha kalo, na luau, na kale ai, a oia mau mea la he mau mea kokua nui keia i ka poe mahiai kalo. Nolaila, e na Hawaii mai paupauaho oukou no ke kanu kalo, a mai hoopalaleha ia hana mikiala o ka aina.

Sources:

Kuokoa Home Rule, Buke IX, Helu 33, 18 August 1911

Translated by Kahanuola Tabor, Reviewed by Puakea Nogelmeier