To honor the spirit of mālama ʻāina and aloha ʻāina, Keauhou Shopping Center, The County of Hawai’i and Kamehameha Schools are hosting the second annual Keauhou Community Day on Sept. 28.
Originally created in 2023 by former Miss Kona Coffee Shyla Victor as a way to give back to her community, this year’s event will reflect on a collective commitment toward stewarding ʻāina to ensure its health and resilience in perpetuity.
“Keauhou is a place of historic and cultural significance for all of us and I am honored to partner with Kamehameha Schools, Keauhou Shopping Center, the County of Hawai‘i and our community members to ensure its resiliency through mālama ʻāina,” said Victor, the current Miss Hawaiʻi Island. “This event is a meaningful opportunity for us to come together, celebrate our cultural heritage and reaffirm our dedication to aloha ʻāina.”
The day will begin at Keauhou Bay, a wahi pana that is the birthplace of Kauikeaouli, who would become Kamehameha III. Check-in and light refreshments will take place at Sea Quest Hawai‘i from 8 to 9 a.m., followed by a welcoming ceremony with Hawaiian protocol for volunteers from 9 to 9:30 a.m.
Mālama ʻāina activities led by the Kamehameha Schools ‘Āina Pauahi group will occur at significant cultural sites around Keauhou Bay, including Kamehameha III’s birth site, Mo‘ikeha Cave, He‘eia Bay, Ka‘ili‘ilinehe Park, and nearby Ali‘i Highway.
Cleaning supplies will be provided. Volunteers are encouraged to bring reusable water bottles, reef-friendly sunscreen, hats, sunglasses and work gloves.
Following the mālama ʻāina activities, volunteers are invited to enjoy a community pāʻina at Keauhou Shopping Center from noon to 2 p.m. The pāʻina will feature foods, live music, a jumping castle, and keiki crafts hosted by KidXClub, with generous support from Big Island Collision Center.
From 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa, Kamehameha Schools staff will lead an open house and tour for anyone interested in learning more about KS’ vision for Keauhou Bay.
These events, held entirely on ‘Āina Pauahi, reflect Kamehameha Schools’ commitment to strengthening connections among people and with ʻāina, while fostering the resilience of the community.
"We mahalo Miss Hawai‘i Island, Shyla Victor, for partnering with us on an event that embodies aloha ʻāina and pilina, essential to building resilient communities," said Marissa Harman, the planning and development director with Kamehameha Schools' ‘Āina Pauahi group. “Āina is core to Native Hawaiian identity and well-being, making its health and vibrancy important and necessary. The Keauhou Community Day brings people together to share the kuleana of stewarding ‘āina, ensuring that wahi kūpuna and natural resources are preserved and kept healthy in perpetuity.”
For more information and to register as a volunteer for the clean-up, please visit www.keauhoushoppingcenter.com/events/community-day/. You can also additional information at www.ksbe.edu/keauhou-bay.
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keauhou,mālama ‘āina, 'āina pauahi
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Kaipuolono Article, Regions, West Hawai’i, Themes, Community, Hawaii Newsroom, KS Hawaii Home, KS Announcements, Newsroom, Hawaii, Community Events, Alumni, West Hawai’i Region, Hawaii campus
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