Hui Hooleimaluo

La ohana (family days): hui ho'oleimaluo facilitates hawaiian cultural activities at two sites with the support of the community at honokea loko at waiuli (richardson's ocean park) and kaumaui, both on kalanianaole avenue (hilo, hawaii island) scarcely a quarter mile away from one another. We coordinate with our school partners, ka umeke ka eo and ke ana la ahana to provide a la ohana, or family interaction day. Hui ho'oleimaluo facilitates one la ohana once a quarter. At these events, and for all participants, hui ho'oleimalu provides interactive learning activities, an introduction to the historical significance of the area, food, and tools. All participants have gained greater knowledge of cultural sites; native plant and animal species; loko i'a practices; and hawaiian farming methods. Quarterly la ohana include clearing areas around the loko i'a and increased habitat space in the loko i'a; produce supplies for extending and re-building makaha and walls; and increased populations of fish and invertebrates in the brackishwater ecosystem of the fishpond. Our la ohana have been valuable because they encourage family engagement, build community relations, and instill the perpetuation of cultural and sustainable practices and identity throughout our hawaiian communities.

Puakahinano steam student program: hui ho'oleimaluo provides opportunities for steam (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) skill building, place based learning, and community engagement through the maintenance and management of loko i.a ecosystems and small scale hawaiian farming at waiuli and kaumaui. Our work includes restoring native flora and fauna of the area, increasing cultural resources, and creating steam experiences that allow participants to build the skills needed to further pursue steam studies. During the school year, ho'oleimaluo engages with hawaii students from grades k-12 and college/university providing outdoor-classroom learning. Currently, hui ho'oleimaluo works closely with students from ka 'umeke ka'eo, ke'ana la'ahana, anakila learning center, and na huna ahi on a weekly and monthly basis.

Papahana puakahinano: fall, spring, and summer the papahana puakahinano student program is a series of week long learning opportunities to build olelo hawai'i (hawaiian language), and cultural practitioners through aina (land), wahi pana (significant places/sites), and 'ike hawai'i (hawaiian knowledge) hands-on experiences for students from east hawai'i hawaiian language and culture based schools in grades k- 12. In the 23-24 school year the series includes five distinct programs including loko i'a (traditional hawaiian fishponds) , malama ka wai (watersheds), hana no'eau (traditional arts), holokai(navigation and sailing), and papa imu (food preparation and security). The ultimate goal of this project is to cultivate the next generation of aina and community kia'i (care takers). This program is only offered in the fall and spring intercessions and the summer break. One-time visits: hui ho'oleimaluo extends learning experiences to any educational institution for one-time visits upon request via email. To this end, and on occasion, we have hosted preschool students and their families and foreign visitors for the educational experience. This program is dedicated to increasing the knowledge of cultural practices associated with the keaukaha coastline for the students of the community.