Aloha mai kakou!
Keoua Honaunau Canoe Club is initiating the restoration/rebuilding of the traditional hale in Honaunau that was the home of Hale o Ho’oponopono in the 70s. This precursor of the Hawaiian immersion schools came at a time of cultural revival and activism, e.g., the birth of Hokule‘a, the Protect Kaho‘olawe ‘Ohana; and addressed the short-comings of the western educational system in its interactions with and attitudes toward the Native Hawaiian community and culture. With the sponsorship of Kamehameha Schools, and the dedication and efforts of Joe Tassill, “Boots” Matthews, Herb Kane, Clarence Medeiros, Abraham Moses, Diana Aki, Tutu Clara Manase and others, Hale o Ho‘oponopono was born.
On the afternoon of Saturday, December 5th, we are hosting a reunion of former students, staff and friends of Hale o Ho‘oponopono along with community groups and individuals involved or interested in participating with us on this 2-year project. We would like to invite everyone to come share their stories, experiences, and mana‘o as we launch this project with a blessing and informational session. It is our intention to revitalize and enhance the cultural landscape of Honaunau Bay, promote the ongoing stewardship of our ahupua‘a, and provide a holding environment for the practice of cultural education for our keiki, residents and visitors.
The afternoon will begin with a blessing, then several speakers will provide an overview of the project, which will entail a series of hale-building workshops, an apprenticeship component, and an ahupua‘a boundary marker initiative that will gather the mo‘olelo, maps, resources, and histories of our area ahupua‘a. The data compiled will then be available on our website and in educational brochures.
There will also be a talk story session, food and kanikapila while we share our ideas and vision for the future of Honaunau. Please join us in honoring those who came before us and laying the groundwork for a vibrant, community-based cultural learning center.