"Think of the leader you want to become," shared Aunty Ipo, as we sat beneath the shade of a milo tree in Muʻolea on our first day of camp. "Hana grows strong wahine. What will you do with your strength?"

 

Without knowing it, Aunty Ipo had provided the perfect introduction to our camp's theme and purpose: to discuss the characteristics of alaka'i wahine and examine examples of alaka'i wahine of Hana past and present, all while engaging with empowering activities in and around the ocean. Building upon their prior knowledge of loko iʻa and kaheka and in partnership with fellow nonprofit, Nā Mamo O Muʻolea, we waded into the tidepools of an ancestral zone, identifying intertidal species and relearning names in both English and 'Olelo Hawaiʻi.

The aunties there shared about Isabella Aiona Abbott and their own stories of stewardship in the area. Later that same day we ventured to Kapueokahi, the birthplace of Ka'ahumanu, to participate in canoe paddling. Led by aunties and uncles dedicated to the practice, our girls explored the various seats and roles of the canoe under the presence of our famed fortress, Pu'u Ka'uiki. Back at camp, we shared mo'olelo of Ka'ahumanu and the characteristics she portrayed as an alaka'i and ali'i wahine. Then, once it was dark, we invited Nakua Lind, voyager and navigator, to guide us beneath the stars. And just to think, that was only day one!

 

In the morning, we returned to Kapueokahi to meet four fishermen who would be taking the girls out to holoholo on their boats. "We are so special!" the girls exclaimed as we turned the bus into the bay at 8am. And indeed, they were. Although only one boat hooked up--their catch including an ono--the girls returned with wide smiles and plenty of stories. "We saw a shark!" one boat shared. "I was reeling one (a fish) in but it got away!" another one remarked. After a quick lunch back at camp, it was time to clean and process their catch. Under the guidance of Aunty Ala, who came wearing a sundress with her hair down, the girls honed their skills in cleaning and filleting; the adult leaders, too, learned some new tricks! The sashimi was extra ono knowing that they had caught it and where it came from.

 

The final day was dedicated to the ahupua'a of Haneo'o at the beach called Koki. Here, in the presence of our pu'u, Ka Iwi O Pele, our girls surfed and learned key water safety skills. We were also surprised by the arrival of our fire and water safety crew and their jetski, which provide the cherry on top for our 5th annual camp. Once more when we returned to camp, there was more to unpack; we discussed the rivalry between Pele and Namakaokaha'i and how our 'aina in Aleamai and Haneo'o, and in turn, us, were and are impacted by their story.

"Our currents and waves are influenced by the coastline and Alau island, which shifted and broke off from the shoreline during that epic fight," shared Kumu Lipoa. "We know how our currents can get, especially at Koki, and it's made our people scared of that beach for years. Yet, when we know how they move and work and how to use them, we unlock an entire way of knowing that allows us to better engage with and practice in this space. It also makes us really strong swimmers and surfers."

 

As evidenced by our camp surveys, 100% (16/16) of our wahine 'opio felt their participation increased their connection to community and Hawaiian culture, and their belief in their ability to learn new things. In addition, 100% (16/16) felt they had more self-confidence due to their participation, while 94% (15/16) noted they had strengthened their leadership abilities. Most noteworthy, however, to the wahine leaders of camp, was that all participants remarked that they knew they have adults in their lives they can trust.