Kahu ʻAina o Puna
Kahu ʻAina Hawaiʻi is a Stewardship program designed for stewards who will be employed at Pohoiki to educate and disseminate information for residents and visitors. Kahu ʻAina Hawaiʻi will create a self-sustaining program to protect, preserve and enhance the natural, cultural and recreational resources at Isaac Hale Beach Park, Pohoiki Boat Ramp and neighboring properties within the coastal areas, in partnership with the Hawai'i County Department of Parks and Recreation.
Mission
To protect and preserve cultural, historical and natural resources along the Puna Coast through culture-based education and community-based stewardship within wahi pana, specifically at Pohoiki
Vision
We envision a revitalized and sustainable Isaac Kepoʻokalani Hale Beach park that embodies Hawaiian culture, celebrates natural beauty, and provides a safe, enjoyable space for locals and visitors
Pohoiki
Pohoiki is a place located in the Puna district on the east side of the Big Island of Hawaii. It has a rich history that is deeply connected to the land, culture, and traditions of the Hawaiian people.
Pohoiki is literally translated as “little depression.” It is an ahupuaʻa located in lower Puna in between Keahialaka and Laepaoʻo. This wahi pana has been home to many generations of fishing families. It is an ancient and modern Hawaiian fishing village. Pohoiki is well known for its boat ramp and for the fish that has fed families and continues to do so. One special place that has been recorded and known worldwide is “Uncle Haleʻs House.” The red house that sits on the shore next to the boat ramp was Uncle John Haleʻs last home before he joined our ancestors. The Hale family has been here for generations. Other ʻOhana (families) that reside on neighboring properties are Hale/Veloria, Kuamoʻo, Smith, Kapukini-Kon and Kealoha Estate.
It's important to note that the history of Pohoiki is deeply intertwined with the larger history of the Puna district and the Hawaiian Islands as a whole. The stories and traditions passed down by generations of Hawaiians continue to enrich the cultural significance of Pohoiki and the surrounding region. “Uli i ka uli”, this concept speaks to the health of our ecosystems from the mountain to the sea and everything in between and gives us an understanding of how a thriving mauka to makai should be.
Program Highlights
Planning for future needs
For years there has been an overwhelming amount of visitors who frequent the lower Puna region with the lack of education, protocols and boundaries set into place to care for our resources. As the Puna community is in the process of recovery, infrastructure is key. The roads and water restoration is critical for ʻohana to access their homes and resources. Once the infrastructure is restored, this will open up direct access to Pohoiki and other wahi pana along our coastline. We believe there will be record numbers of the resident and visitor industry once again and this will have negative impacts on the lives of local residents and the natural and cultural resources unless appropriate education and protocols are respected.
Hawaiian Culture-based education
Hawaiian Culture-based education is an educational approach that centers on the indigenous knowledge, language, traditions, and practices of Native Hawaiians. It seeks to integrate these cultural elements into the curriculum and teaching methodologies, emphasizing the importance of cultural identity, history, and values. This educational model acknowledges that Native Hawaiian culture is a living and evolving system, and it should be respected, preserved, and passed down to future generations.
Community Based Stewardship
Community-based stewardship refers to a collaborative approach to managing and caring for natural resources and cultural assets within a specific community. It involves local residents, organizations, and stakeholders working together to take responsibility for the well-being and sustainable use of their shared resources.
