Lā Kōkua Kaʻala: E Kuʻi Kalo Kākou!

Last year, we asked our KS Kaiāulu partner to imagine the song our community would compose as the rhythmic thud of pōhaku pounding kalo on a well-seasoned papa kuʻi ʻai. At Kaʻala Farm's November 8th Lā Kōkua & Kuʻi Kalo Event, that song was heard resounding throughout Waiʻanae Valley. It was more than a sound of food being made; it was the harmony and melody, a choir of ʻohana, community members, ʻōpio, and ʻāina working together. Through kuʻi kalo, people came to know one another, deepen their understanding of aloha ʻāina, and strengthen our lāhui, culminating in a day that brought hands and hearts together.

Kaʻala Farm hosts a monthly volunteer workday called Lā Kōkua Kaʻala, designed to provide the community access to our Cultural Learning Center while fostering a deeper connection to ʻāina, moʻolelo, and Hawaiian culture. These gatherings also build community stewardship for preserving one of Hawaiʻi's largest intact cultural complexes for future generations.

For our Lā Kōkua Kaʻala: E Kuʻi Kalo Kākou on November 14th, in celebration of the upcoming makahiki season, we invite participants to join us for a special day of service, learning, and fellowship. In addition to the regular volunteer activities, we will again feature a hands-on kuʻi kalo experience, where participants can learn traditional methods of turning kalo into paʻiʻai or poi.

We invite the community to bring their papa and pōhaku and help Waiʻanae Valley ring once again with the melodic sounds of kuʻi kalo, ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi, and shared purpose. Just as before, this "song" will be carried by many voices, reconnecting ʻāina and kanaka, older sibling and younger sibling. As we honor the traditions of the past, we also cultivate a vibrant future, ensuring that the wisdom and strength of our kūpuna live on in our practices, our voices, and our community.