The Hawaiian language newspaper, Kū`oko`a, of August 12, 1865 mentions the work of Kamehameha IV to sustain the lo`i of Waikīkī. “Our King had cultivated these huge taro patches before in years past. Many commoners and chiefs worked in them. All of this patch has not been worked in because of the great size and the toughness of the bulrushes. They defy the great number of workmen, the chiefs, and the sharpness of the spades. The work is very hard but the heart of our King is neither dismayed nor discouraged.” (Cited in Handy and Handy, 1991)
Waikīkī today is so different from the days of Kamehameha IV. However, within our ahupua`a you can still find a few lo`i where `ohana will gather to work the lo`i, to huki kalo, to ku`i `ai, and to learn from one another.
This year, Waikīkī Hawaiian Civic Club (WHCC) was excited to gather together as a `ohana at Ka Papa Lo`i o Kānewai to learn more about our kua`ana or elder brother, Hāloa. Thanks to a grant from Honor the Earth we were able to bring together our family and friends to have a hands-on-experience of ku`i `ai or pounding taro to make pa`i `ai, to learn about the history of Kānewai, and to learn how to clean fish and prepare it for dried fish. Many of us went home with our own dry box so that we could continue to make our own dried fish for our `ohana.
The name of our project was “Fish and Poi”. The project goal was to create opportunities for the sharing and utilization of Indigenous wisdom between Native Hawaiian cultural practitioners and Native Hawaiian families to facilitate the exchange, preservation and transmission of traditional knowledge relating to traditional foods (traditions, cultivation, harvesting and preparation).
We ended the event with a meal that included pua`a kalua, poke akule, pa`i `ai, kāmano lomi, and different varieties of kalo pa`a. Mahalo nui to one of our newest members (who caters ono Hawaiian food for parties) for preparing the mea`ai.
Mahalo nui to all of our kupuna, Aunty Nona, Aunty Marilyn, Aunty Berta, Aunty Edna, Aunty Lokelani, and Aunty Leimomi, who also came to participate in our event at Kānewai. Your presence and smiles brings such aloha and dignity to all of our gatherings.
2010 International Year of Biodiversity
The United Nations declared 2010 to be the International Year of Biodiversity. It is a celebration of life on earth and of the value of biodiversity for our lives. Waikīkī Hawaiian Civic Club celebrated this year with our “Fish and Poi” project along with other activities in the community to safeguard the variety of life on earth: biodiversity.
If you would like to be added on to our biodiversity email listserve please email Malia Nobrega at malianob@gmail.com.
Advocating for Indigenous Peoples’ Rights at the UN Convention on Biological Diversity
Waikīkī HCC has always been committed to protecting our biodiversity, the traditional knowledge of our people, and our human rights. This year we participated in various meetings under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
Recently significant progress was accomplished with respect to the Elements of a Code of Ethical Conduct. It is our hope that these elements can prove of use and benefit to Indigenous Peoples and local communities in the respect of our rights and in the protection and promotion of our Cultural and Intellectual Heritage.
If you would like to get regular information regarding these meetings you can do so by joining the Pacific listserve- pacific@lists.riseup.net Email Malia Nobrega to join this listserve- malianob@gmail.com
2010 AOHCC Convention
We are excited to have a few members at this years AOHCC Convention in Kona and we look forward to working with our brothers and sisters from all the councils.
E HUKI LIKE KĀKOU!