More than 300 students, faculty, staff and community partners gathered at Honolulu Community College in April for the annual Ho?olaule?a celebration, held at Hale Kawelohea and the campus courtyard.
The event honors Ka ²Ñ¨¡±ô²¹ o Niuhelewai¡ªthe campus ³¾¨¡±ô²¹ kalo (taro patch) and cultural learning space¡ªwhile celebrating Hawaiian traditions, sustainability and ³¾¨¡±ô²¹ma ?¨¡¾±²Ô²¹ (caring for the land). More than 100 volunteers and facilitators helped organize and lead the day¡¯²õ events.
¡°°Õ³ó±ð ²Ñ¨¡±ô²¹ has served the campus community with partnerships in many programs on campus,¡± said Professor Alapaki Luke, caretaker of the Ka ²Ñ¨¡±ô²¹ o Niuhelewai. ¡°Every April, Ho?olaule?a is a time of celebration of ³¾¨¡±ô²¹ma ?¨¡¾±²Ô²¹ and honoring the °ì¨±±è³Ü²Ô²¹ (elders) and mo?olelo (stories) of Niuhelewai that has nourished the °²¹±è¨¡±ô²¹³¾²¹ ahupua?a (land division) with kalo and fish that once was cultivated in the wetlands and nearshore loko i?a (´Ú¾±²õ³ó±è´Ç²Ô»å²õ).¡±
Fulfilling kuleana
Participants explored cultural and sustainability-focused activities, educational resource booths, and live entertainment throughout the day. The annual Trash to Treasure contest also returned, showcasing creative projects made from recycled and repurposed materials. Music filled the courtyard throughout the celebration, featuring performances by Honolulu CC¡¯²õ MELE students, faculty and staff.
The celebration concluded with a Hawaiian lunch plate featuring food prepared for attendees. More than 360 meals were served.
Luke said the ²Ñ¨¡±ô²¹ is a living venue to practice the objective of the University of Hawai?i Strategic Plan¡¯²õ imperative to fulfill kuleana (responsibility) to Native Hawaiians and Hawai?i. He also expressed gratitude to the campus and broader community for supporting Ka ²Ñ¨¡±ô²¹ o Niuhelewai since its inception in 2011.
¡°This celebration was made possible by Honolulu CC‘s Hawaiian Council Kupu Ka Wai, the Hulili Ke Kukui Hawaiian Center, Ka Ipu Ho?okele program, Ola Niuhelewai program, community partners, and our campus departments. Mahalo nui me ka ha?aha?a (thank you with humility),¡± Luke said.
