Programs
Kauhale Project Huaka'i to Ke'ei, Kona
From September 25 -27 fourteen students from KANU’s 6-12 Kauhale Project participated in a huakaÿi to Ke'ei, Kona. We were very fortunate to be guests of Kupuna Pānui and his ‘ohana.
We camped in their front yard on the shores of Ke'ei o lalo lilo e. On our first day, Kupuna Pānui and ‘Anakē Namahana took us to the historically significant sites connected with our book, “Kamehameha and His Warrior Kekūhaupi'o”. We went to the battlefield of Moku'ohai, where students offered the ho'okupu of ka ua kīpu'upuiu to this dry land.
We then continued to the village of Keomo, ke one hānau o Kekūhaupiio. Upon our return to camp, we visited a gravesite. There we learned that this graveyard included remains from the Battle of Moku'ohai and that many of the warriors in this battle were from Kohala and Waimea and never returned to the land of their birth. The students felt a deep commitment to this place of their ancestors. We also learned about the heiau and ‘aumākua of Ke'ei. It was truly an educational experience for all. We are continuing to work on an ‘oli to commemorate this occasion.
Our task at Ke'ei was to create a compelling vision for our project’s sustainable efforts. We discussed the purpose of a vision and what we wanted our future to look like. We had a slow start then all of a sudden our ideas just kept coming – we worked until 10:30 pm that night, we felt productive.