Kamehameha Schools is asking its staff, students, alumni, and the community to kōkua its community partner, Paepae o He‘eia, in an effort to pani ka puka (close the gap) in the wall of He‘eia Fishpond to increase its ability to produce food for the community.
Paepae o He‘eia, a private non-profit organization dedicated to caring for the KS-owned fishpond, has sent out a kāhea throughout Hawai‘i requesting kōkua from at least 1,000 people – a significant move toward the sustainability and identity of Hawai‘i’s people and its future.
“We see Pani ka Puka as a great cooperative effort that brings together the resources of the community that will paepae, or uplift, the future of Hawai‘i’s people and promote sustainability,” said KS Chief Executive Officer Jack Wong. “Kamehameha Schools asks all families to consider being a part of this collective effort.”
The gathering of people for the huge endeavor reflects traditional community efforts that were once coordinated to care for Hawai‘i’s people. Research shows that it’s been nearly two centuries since such a large task has been conducted.
On December 12, history will be repeated when people of Hawai‘i once again stand in a single-file line spanning more than 2,000 feet, passing pōhaku from hand to hand, to restore the fertility and abundance of the fishpond – a vital food resource.
“Our stories tell us that Hawaiian fishponds were built by hundreds of people passing pōhaku to build a wall for a unique form of aquaculture found nowhere else in the world,” said Hi‘ilei Kawelo, executive director of Paepae o He‘eia.
“The technologically advanced technique of using fishponds once provided food for thousands of people and entire communities. This is an effort that will help set a firm foundation for our present and future generations.”
The puka, formed by a flood in 1965, originally spanned 200 feet of the fishpond wall. The hands and hearts of many are wanted and needed to put the finishing touches on the repair. Come and be a part of this monumental gathering to restore an 800-year-old pond back to productivity.
Please visit www.paepaeoheeia.org to register for participation.
Pani ka Puka Completion Event
WHAT:
KS community partner Paepae o He‘eia is seeking 1,000 people to be part of a monumental community effort to restore the 800-year-old He‘eia Fishpond back to productivity. Volunteers will stand in a single-file line and pass buckets of coral and pōhaku (stones) from the land to the puka – a distance of more than 2,000 feet.
WHEN:
Saturday, Dec. 12
9 to 11 a.m.
WHERE:
He‘eia Fishpond
Kāneʻohe Bay, Oʻahu
REGISTRATION:
All volunteers must visit www.paepaeoheeia.org to register. Event details and a short oli (chant) are available on the website. Please ho‘opa‘a (memorize) the oli before the event.
PARKING:
No parking will be available near the fishpond. Shuttle service will begin at 7:30 a.m. from a parking lot at the intersection of Alaloa Street and Ha‘ikū Road, ma uka (mountain side) of Windward Mall.
ATTIRE:
Wear covered shoes and clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty. Also bring sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat, and gloves.
BRING:
A Reusable water bottle
For details, including directions, visit www.paepaeoheeia.org.
Paepae o He‘eia workers Benjamin Zablan, Kinohi Pizarro and Ikaika Wise uhauhumu pōhaku (position stones to restore the wall).
KS owns the ancient fishpond located in Kāneʻohe Bay. Photo by Kalei Nu‘uhiwa
TAGS
strategic plan,sp 2020,community engagement and resources,aina-based education,sustainability,āina-based learning,mālama 'āin,sp2020
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Kaipuolono Article, Newsroom, Department News, Features, LAD News
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