70 members of our mālama iā Kailua community gathered at ka mole o Ulupō yesterday afternoon to celebrate the return of life to the piko of our ahupua'a in the most real and symbolic of ways -- by eating foods grown (and caught) on our own lands and prepared by our own hands. Kaleo Wong and Maya Saffery were the alihi ku -- the anchor stones that held our network in place, and the Ahau family of Kukanono were the kahu of the imu whose flame cast light and warmth across the span of generations. We offer below, a letter from Lehuakona Isaacs, the po'o of Ahahui Malama i ka Lōkahi and co-conspirator in our efforts to reclaim and restore.
Aloha kākou,
Mahalo a nui loa to all for hosting and contributing to the excellent Kū ka ʻono event today! When I thanked Kihei he told me that it was Maya and Kaleo that did the planning and organizing…and work. And I can see that many others contributed to the effort as well.
To Maya and Kaleo, your generous efforts are deeply appreciated. The food was so ono! Mahalo for the opportunity to share food and friendship at this most sacred place. Let's hope that the lesson of the naughty little pua'a reached his 'ohana and they will keep their distance from the lo'i. If not, then another Kū ka ʻono opportunity!!!
From ʻAhahui Mālama i ka Lōkahi, with gratitude and aloha,
Lehuakona
Aloha kākou,
Mahalo a nui loa to all for hosting and contributing to the excellent Kū ka ʻono event today! When I thanked Kihei he told me that it was Maya and Kaleo that did the planning and organizing…and work. And I can see that many others contributed to the effort as well.
To Maya and Kaleo, your generous efforts are deeply appreciated. The food was so ono! Mahalo for the opportunity to share food and friendship at this most sacred place. Let's hope that the lesson of the naughty little pua'a reached his 'ohana and they will keep their distance from the lo'i. If not, then another Kū ka ʻono opportunity!!!
From ʻAhahui Mālama i ka Lōkahi, with gratitude and aloha,
Lehuakona
