Kīpaeape no Waiakahiʻula 2026 | Kawaiʻula

Kīpaepae No Waiakahiʻula is an annual summer event held at Waiakahiʻula Beach Park, bringing community members together to honor traditions, practice cultural protocols, and strengthen their stewardship of this significant Puna shoreline.

Initiated in July 2024, the event commemorates the restoration of its ancestral name, Waiakahiʻula, from its former name, Kahakai Beach Park. This year marks the third annual gathering.

The event is rooted in Hawaiian values and customs, beginning with a kīpaepae ceremony hosted by Kawaiʻula, Kūkūʻena of HawaiʻiCC, I Ola Hāloa of HawaiʻiCC, and students from Pāhoa High School. This ceremony prepares the space, welcoming participants with intention and respect through various cultural expressions including hula, oli, haʻi ōlelo, mele, and an ʻaha awa.

Following the kīpaepae, participants can engage in several hands-on mālama ʻāina workshops, intergenerational learning activities, and the sharing of moʻolelo and place-based knowledge. These initiatives reinforce the community’s collective kuleana to ensure the cultural, historical, and ecological vitality of Waiakahiʻula for future generations.