My naʻau is full (and my kino is a little sore) after a full weekend of aloha ʻāina at Ulupō and Kawainui. First, @manuiwa, his hoa hana Ryan and I got to welcome Mahina and her makua/my kumu...to our beloved kulāiwi. Mahina will be with us throughout her freshman year learning about and engaging in the cultural practices that we are trying to restore to the piko of our ahupuaʻa. Through moʻolelo, mele, eating of kō, and huli-ka-lima-i-lalo work, the five of us began this new relationship with each other and the ʻāina of Kūkanono. This intimate form of aloha ʻāina grew in size and scale the very next day when we, along with our awesome partners, hosted our 2nd Saturday workday with over 120 community members and college students. Again, our stories set the foundation, our ceremonial eating set the tone, and our work tied us to the moʻolelo of this ʻāina of Kailua. Both circles I stood in on those 2 days - big and small - were impactful and fulfilling, reminding me that aloha ʻāina of all sizes can feed us in enriching and satisfying ways. –Maya Saffery
Photo courtesy of Kaleo Wong