Mahiki
the majestic and legendary Waipiʻo Valley rimlands above the valley
Mahiki
the majestic and legendary Waipiʻo Valley rimlands above the valley
Mahiki and Lalakea, the lands above Waipiʻo Valley on the eastern side known commonly as the rimlands are primarily covered in a failed plantation of Eucalyptus grandis trees. Holding multiple culturally significant sites, thought of as the home of the Gods, and with the remnants of the many beautiul ʻōhiʻa trees atop the cliffs threatened by Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death & trespassers, Pōhāhā I Ka Lani stewards the area to protect and preserve itʻs culturally and ecological integrity.
Site Description
The eastern rimlands above Waipiʻo Valley, culturally known as Mahiki and Lalakea, are significant both culturally and ecologically. Owned mostly by Kamehameha Schools and partially by the Lalakea family, these lands were once vibrant with native ʻōhiʻa trees and other endemic species but now struggle with invasive species and the impact of Eucalyptus grandis plantations. Pōhāhā I Ka Lani works to protect the land’s cultural and ecological integrity, including sacred sites believed to be the home of the Gods.
Historically, these lands were agriculturally fertile, hosting diverse flora like ʻolopua, naio, ʻōlapa, and ʻōhiʻa lehua, and fauna such as the endemic ʻŌpeʻapeʻa. However, the Hāmākua Sugar Plantation’s deforestation severely damaged this ecosystem, replacing native forests with sugarcane and altering water resources. Despite the plantation’s closure, its long-term effects linger, including the loss of community access to land for leasing and farming.
The Waipiʻo & Kukuihaele community, affected by the plantation’s legacy, seeks reasonable access to these lands, historically used for sustenance and cultural practices. The community’s struggle reflects a broader narrative of environmental degradation and the need for sustainable land management and restoration.
Moʻolelo
The Waipiʻo Valley Rim lands of Lālākea are crucial lands of cultural, historical, agricultural, ecological, and community significance. The vast ʻāina of Lālākea sit above the cultural kīpuka of Waipiʻo Valley and are intertwined with the moʻolelo of Hiʻiakaikapoliopele, Hainakolo, Mahiki, Kūwahailo, Lonomakua, Kuapūpū, and others, connecting to the history of Waipiʻo Valley. Kūʻahu and heiau were destroyed during the Plantation era and makaʻāinana displaced since the Great Māhele.
“Nā lehua luluʻu pali”, a line from a traditional Waipiʻo chant, are only a memory through a chant, speaking of the most beautiful ʻōhiʻa forest which has been destroyed.
MALAMA MAHIKI
Pōhāhā I Ka Laniʻs stewardship of the rimlands is vitally important to protect the native and endemic species and to ensure the waters flow pono, which is driven by our cultural connection to this wahi pana above and the historic valley below. These lands need a holistic and sustainable way to preserve and perpetuate their ecological and cultural integrity.
The ecological security of the Waipi’o Valley rimlands with thousands of ‘ōhi’a trees is threatened by Rapid ‘Ōhi’a Death. Our stewardship works to cultivate reciprocal relationships between those who visit the wahi pana of Waipi’o Valley and the rimlands, through cultural education and service-learning opportunities that protect culturalyl and ecologically important areas.
The Community Steward Membership program was inspired by the kuleana of the rimlands to ensure the continued, expanded and sustainable stewardship of important Waipiʻo Valley’s overall sites while including a holistic opportunity for many to participate and benefit from.
Pōhāhā I Ka Laniʻs educational stewardship groups at the Lalakea and Mahiki lands, often taking groups up to Kilohana, the lookout above the valley, where moʻolelo, oli, and hula are shared. Workshops on rockwall building and mele/oli/hula have been held there as well.
Community Plans for the Area
Pōhāhā I Ka Laniʻs stewardship of the Waipiʻo Valley rimlands aligns with the cultural history of the area and the sentiment of the community plans, with an emphasis on responsible, participatory stewardship that puts the ʻāina and culture first.
The 2018 Final Hāmākua Community Development Plan “prioritizes protecting Waipi’ o Valley as a wahi pana, focusing on protecting natural ecosystems, viewsheds and streams, managing responsible access, and perpetuating Hawaiian culture.” (4.9.2 Waipiʻo Valley as a Wahi Pana). Community Objective 1 states: “Protect, restore, and enhance watershed ecosystems, sweeping views, and open spaces from mauka forests to makai shorelines, while assuring responsible public access for recreational, spiritual, cultural, and sustenance practices.” (4.9.1 Community Objective).
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WAYS
TO
GIVE
100% OF YOUR DONATION SUPPORTS THE SUSTAINABILITY OF OUR PROGRAMS
Help us continue our work of stewarding sacred lands of Waipiʻo Valley and promoting indigenous Hawaiian culture.
Every dollar matters. Together we can restore our ʻāina and community to health and abundance.
Sign up to donate financially, either one-time or recurring donations (tiers with perks & recognition). Donate
Purchase our merchandise such as shirts, hats, sweaters/hoodies, stickers, and healings oils & salves. Shop