By: Ari Lunow-Luke, Program Coordinator at Ho’okua’aina This year, we are excited to announce that we are piloting new partnerships with other ‘āina organizations across Ko’olaupoko for our Ahupua’a Systems Apprenticeship (ASA) program! For the past four years, our ASA participants have worked with Hoʻokuaʻāina staff on-site to gain leadership skills in ahupuaʻa management through...
By: Vincent Cochet, High School Student from Berlin, Germany Hello, my name is Vincent and I am a 16-year-old from Berlin, Germany. I am volunteering with Ho’okua’āina for three months as part of a High School program that asks every student in my grade to volunteer abroad on a social project. The purpose is all...
By: Kazu Akiona-Bannan, Hoa’āina/Farm Operations Specialist at Ho’okua’āina Aloha! My name is Kazu Akiona-Bannan. Having been born and raised in Kailua, I constantly found myself immersed in the beautiful outdoors of the Ahupua’a I call home. My deep love and passion for the land and ocean of Hawaii guided me to pursue higher education at...
For me, this project has been one of the greatest honors of my life. School is sometimes frustrating, but working with Hoʻokuaʻāina has never been anything less than a profound joy. Part of my mom’s family goes back more than five generations in Kailua, including the Maunawili area specifically.
One of the biggest gifts of the program is the intergenerational pilina building between kūpuna and the ʻōpio in our mentorship program. We have seen great value in creating spaces for generations coming together to learn, grow, and support one another. Through meeting inspiring and hardworking young people, kūpuna expressed feeling nostalgia for their youth and hope for the future.
Just like the process of hehi, stomping, and turning over the lepo to prepare a patch for the next cycle of growth, this new year brings with it new nutrients and abundance; excitement for what’s to come.
This program has helped me in so many ways. It has helped me work better with my social anxiety, given me a space where I know who I can come to if anything were to happen and has made me hopeful for my future. The program has also flowed through me to my family.
My family had a banana patch in Maunawili for 40 something years. My dad was first generation in Hawaiʻi, born in Okinawa. Momi is the person who first introduced me to the poi from Hoʻokuaʻāina. She told me, “Audrey, you gotta have this poi cause it’s the best one on the island.” I go, “Yeah right. Poi is poi.” Then she brought me some when I went to the dentist, because she was my teeth-cleaner. I said, “Oh my god, this is out of this world!” So I started going to Hoʻokuaʻāina.
November 20, 2021 Aloha mai kākou, Itʻs amazing that 2021 is already coming to a close! Like everyone, we have done our best to navigate through this year and hope you all are doing well during these most challenging of times. In spite of the difficulties, we are grateful for the many highlights. Here are...
It’s been a long time and so much has happened since our last newsletter back in March 2020! Like everyone on the planet, we have done our best to navigate through the pandemic and hope each one of you are doing the best you can through these most challenging of times. I would like to share a few of Hoʻokuaʻāinaʻs highlights during this period as well as discuss what I believe to be the mindset of health and well-being from the perspective of our kūpuna to encourage us all.
I’m very grateful to have been put in many situations where I had to teach this summer. It’s definitely something out of my comfort zone but it’s taught me more than I could imagine. I’m more conscious of my actions, my words, my attitude, and my energy.
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.
Itʻs been an interesting past couple of months witnessing the growth and transformation of Kapalai.
Meet our dedicated young Kaiaulu volunteers, Sophia (12yr) and Cael (15yr) who have chosen to join us in the ʻāina.
December 4th, 2020 Aloha mai kākou, As we all know, 2020 has indeed been a year full of challenges and adversity for many. Like everyone, we at Hoʻokuaʻāina are trying our hardest to pivot and adapt to the times to best meet the needs of our surrounding communities while continuing to fulfill the mission close...
This ʻĀina Curry includes kalo, ʻulu, eggplant, ʻōlena and limes straight from the ʻāina of Kapalai. Not only is this a simple and delicious meal, but it is super healthy and affordable!
Aloha e nā poʻe ʻo Hawaiʻi! My inoa is Benji Ah Sing and I hope this message finds you well. For the past two years I have had the privilege of being an intern here at Hoʻokuaʻāina. To my recent delight Iʻve also been honored with the promotion to co-farm manager entailing new kuleana and a greater sense of management skills. My time here with our organization has aided in molding the kāne that I am on my way to becoming.
Aloha! I am Keʻalohilani and I am from Kapaʻakea in Mōʻiliʻili. My first summer working here in 2018 was a transitioning mode for me. Fast forward a year and a half, I am still at the loʻi thanks to the timing and welcoming crew that have allowed me to grow with Hoʻokuaʻāina.
It’s hard to believe that 2019 is already coming to a close. This year was one of tremendous growth, both in the loʻi and in our organization. We harvested from Zack patch (patch #21) for the first time and were able to get about 3,000 lbs of kalo and over 250 lbs of lau. Patch...
Global Village is a boutique in Kailua run by a mother and daughters’ team, Sharrie, Debbie and Dawn. The trio uses their business to facilitate awareness of Ho`okua`aina and raise money with their recyclable bag program. This is the fourth year that Global Village has incorporated their team, customers, vendors, and non-profit partnerships to celebrate...
Hoʻokuaʻāina is located in the ahupuaʻa of Kailua at Kapalai in Maunawili on the island of Oʻahu. Get Directions.
For more information about our programs or how you can get involved please contact us.
916E Auloa Rd.
Kailua, HI 96734
P.O. Box 342146
Kailua, HI 96734
Hoʻokuaʻāina is located in the ahupuaʻa of Kailua at Kapalai in Maunawili on the island of Oʻahu.
For more information about our programs or how you can get involved please contact us.
916E Auloa Rd.
Kailua, HI 96734
P.O. Box 342146
Kailua, HI 96734
Reach Us At:
Hoʻokuaʻāina is a 501c3 Non-Profit Organization
© Hoʻokuaʻāina 2020 All Rights Reserved | Terms & Conditions | Privacy | Site By Created By Kaui
Hoʻokuaʻāina is a 501c3 Non-Profit Organization
© Hoʻokuaʻāina 2020 All Rights Reserved | Terms & Conditions | Privacy | Site By Created By Kaui
Hoʻokuaʻāina is a 501c3 Non-Profit Organization
© Hoʻokuaʻāina 2020 All Rights Reserved | Terms & Conditions | Privacy
Site By Created By Kaui