Waimea Valley is excited to invite all to this years’ Kalo and Awa day. Come join local farmers and other likeminded individuals as we gather to learn and share about Kalo and Awa. We will have several local non-profits organizations present, and cultural artisans will be present to share about traditional practices and culture. We are fortunate to connect with different organizations whose focus is land restoration with a central focus in cultural components that use kalo and other native Hawaiian plants as a foundation towards their restoration and educational goals. Immerse yourself in all aspects of the Hawaiian culture and traditions, during this wonderful event!

Influential Organizations, speakers, and activities Ka papa lo‘i ‘o Kanewai, a piko for Hawaiian knowledge at the University of Hawaii Manoa, sustains a working lo‘i at their site in Kanewai. This is a place where knowledge of kalo, ‘olelo Hawaii, and hana Hawaii is practiced and shared. This year they will be sharing with us the process of making an apu, or cup used to drink awa.

Onipa‘a na hui kalo is an organization of kalo farmers and their families, sponsored by the Queen Lili‘uokalani Children’s Center, to strengthen and nurture the self-identity and pride of native Hawaiian children. Their goal is to perpetuate the traditional practices of growing kalo and to restore lo‘i in every ahupua‘a throughout Hawaii. Learn how to ku‘i or pound your own kalo into pa‘i ‘ai using traditional
tools and techniques with Onipa‘a.

Kako‘o oiwi is a He‘eia, O‘ahu based non-profit with a mission to restore the cultural connection between
the land and the community through cultural, educational and ecosystem restoration programs. Based out of He‘eia, one of their main projects on their land is to restore traditional lo‘i through sustainable agriculture. Volunteer information will be available.

Malama Pupukea, a volunteer based non-profit right here on the North Shore is geared towards educating the residence and visitors to the Pupukea Marine Life Conservation District about protecting and preserving ocean resources. Although this is an ocean based program is it important to understand the connection between the land and the sea and how one system directly affects the other.

Pu‘u ‘o Hoku Ranch, Hawaii’s leading producer of fresh awa, will have the space to display different varieties of awa they grow.

Speakers are from across Hawaiian Islands will be sharing their thoughts and personal experiences on the cultivation & cultural connections with kalo and awa.

Waimea Valley is proud to be honoring the late Jerry Konanui, known to everyone as Uncle Jerry, by dedicating Kalo Awa Day to him! Uncle Jerry is a kanaka maoli (native Hawaiian) who was privileged to have been raised by his grandparents and parents who bestowed upon him a generational knowledge of farming and fishing practices. “(Uncle) Jerry’s depth of the ancient and traditional knowledge of his kupuna especially as a mahi’ai has placed him at the call by many who seek such knowledge”. He was a very influential man within the kalo and awa community. He educated, inspired so many people within this field. The legacy he leaves behind will be cherished and remembered forever.

Join us for this free community event on Saturday September 8th 2018 and check out our kalo recipe contest at www.waimeavalley.net