Last Saturday, I attended a field trip for my Hawaiian Studies class at Kahana Valley. Kahana Valley is located towards the north side of Oahu, in Hauula. A group (hui) from our class, came to contribute (kokua) and care for (malama) the land ('aina) by participating in activities to connect with the Hawaiian culture.
As we entered the state park, I marveled at the vibrant scenery. After we met with the class, we got to choose which group we wanted to take part in. Majority of the group volunteered to help pull the taro (kalo) from the taro pond (lo'i), which will be used to make poi (taro mashed with water) the following day. Meg, Zoe, and I went with Brother (bradah) Jay to clean in the garden. We trimmed and raked excess leaves that blocked the trees from the light of the sun.
While we cleaned around the landscape, Brother (Bradah) Jay shared with us, his love for Kahana Valley. He told us a story about how he used to be a rebel when he was younger. But as he got older, he changed his lifestyle after his son was born, to be a role model as a father. Brother Jay is such a strong man. He told us about the various health problems he has gone through during the past couple of years. No matter how sick or injured he got, he always got back up quickly and healed by being productive. He loves to come to Kahana Valley as much as he can, to carry out the Hawaiian traditions.
He made me realize how important it is to use traditional sustainability as a tool to survive in case of an emergency. He said that if the island of Oahu was hit with a natural tragedy, then many people will die in the city of Honolulu. He predicts this, knowing that many of us depend and only know how to live off of electricity, gas, and money. Brother Jay's open heart, serene mind, and local soul is an inspiring example of Hawaiian power (mana).
Garner and Brother (Bradah) Jay
Before
our raked in pile...
After
The taro ponds (lo'i) after the group (hui) picked the taro (kalo).
Bradah Jay told us how this used to be a well.
so lush...
Meg enjoying the fresh starfruit. She is from Cali too!
Bradah Jay just pulled off the star fruits from the trees and told us we can eat it lol. This was the first time I tried the juicy, tender, and lightly sweet fruit. It was so good!
After, we washed our hands in the fresh water (wai).
For the second part of the field trip, the groups re-united, and collaborated to pull and clean the taro (kalo) at another taro pond (lo'i). After, we washed up and gathered at one of the uncles house, to converse during lunch.
I am so thankful that I was given the opportunity to come on this field trip! The class and I had a wonderful time! The description of what we did, may sound simple and easy to do, but really its a lot of hard work! I give props to our kumu and his friends who are dedicated and come to help at Kahana Valley every week.
The week before our class came on this field trip, our teacher (kumu), Alapaki Luke, told us that when we go to Kahana Valley it "heals you right then and there." Good karma flows when you take care of the land, the land will take care of you.
cleansed from the island's natural beauty,
Deanna
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