Learn what your day with Pōhāhā I Ka Lani will entail and how to optimize your experience.
Learn what your day with Pōhāhā I Ka Lani will entail and how to optimize your experience.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Thank you for choosing to participate with Pōhāhā I Ka Laniʻs cultural education & land stewardship program, Kāhuli, at one of our sites in or above Waipiʻo Valley. This applies to Hawaiʻi residents and visitors (voluntourism) participation.
We look forward to sharing with you and putting our hands together in the work to care for culturally and ecologically important sites.
Please read the information below regarding how to best prepare for your and make the most of your day with us.
NOTE: Courses and workshops will have event specific information for preparation. The information below is specific to cultural education & land stewardship participation in the Kāhuil Program for Hawaiʻi residents and visitors (voluntourism) participation.
IN PREPARATION FOR YOUR VISIT THINGS TO EXPECT
Weather
The weather can change frequently at all of our sites, especially in Waipiʻo Vally and up mauka in the rimlands of Mahiki. The weather at all of our sites can range from hot & humid to cold & rainy, so please be prepared for both.
Terrain for Each of Our Sites
Nāpoʻopoʻo (ancient village site & taro patches in Waipiʻo Valley)
- Dirt sloped trails to the taro patches and around the taro patches can get slippery when muddy
- Rockwalls around the taro patches and rocks along the trail can be slippery or protruding
- Shallow mud taro patches sometimes with kukui nuts shells inside
- River and stream with rock and pebbles
Apua (Ti House and surrounding area in Waipiʻo Valley)
- Flat and sloped dirt can get slippery when muddy
- Mostly flat gathering and working area
- Some steep slopes for optional work
Koaʻekea (Waipiʻo Valley Lookout PONC parcel)
- Grassy lawn areas
- Dirt & mulched garden areas, mostly flat & some gently sloped
Lalakea & Mahiki (Waipiʻo Valley rimlands)
- Lower
- Orchard and garden areas by the Honokaʻa-Waipʻo Road
- Garden areas by Lower Hamakua irrigation ditch are flat and sloped dirt & mulch
- Upper forest
- Dirt and rock roads through the forest
- Grass and dirt trail along the rim
- Lookouts overlooking Waipiʻo Valley: Rocky (1st lookout) or grassy (2nd lookout)
- Waterfall area with pond with dirt & rocky surrounding areas.
Wildlife
The sites in Waipiʻo Valley (Nāpoʻopoʻo & Apua [Ti House]) often have wild horses. ʻIo (Hawaiian Hawks) often soar above, and sometimes ʻaukuʻu (black-crowned night heron) visit the taro patches. Tahitian prawns are often found in Hiʻilawe river.
Koaʻekea, the Wapiʻo Valley Lookout PONC parcel, is a dryland garden space with only insects and bugs normally found in a garden of Hāmākua.
The sites above Waipiʻo Valley Lalakea/Mahiki [Waipiʻo Valley rimlands]) infrequently have wild pigs that are easily scared off, and with insects and bugs normally found in a garden of Hāmākua in the garden areas.
Working Conditions
The hana (work) can be physically challenging, depending on the task for the day and the conditions. Please be sure to stay hydrated and assess your own health while working.
WHAT TO BRING
- Respect and aloha for the people and the land
- Comfortable work clothes (long sleeve recommend)
- Shoes – sturdy, comfortable shoes for walking around sites and working on the land
- Hat
- Sunscreen – Reef safe acceptable
- Mosquito repellant – Please use all-natural ingredients and when using aerosol spray types, spray them downwind and away from others
- Water and food
- Swimsuit – For areas with flowing water, participants can rinse off after working.
DURING YOUR VISIT
A TYPICAL DAY WITH PŌHĀHĀ I KA LANI (DEPENDING ON SITE SELECTION)
- 10:00 AM (unless other arrangements have been made) – Arrive at Waipiʻo Valley Lookout PONC parcel (unless arranged otherwise)
- 10:00 – 10:30 am – Introductions, oral stories (history, place, traditions, etc.), & protocol (chant with optional offering to ahu [altar])
- 10:30 am
- Koaʻekea: Begin activity and/or work on site
- All other sites: Travel to site
- Until end of day (TBD by activity and group, along with weather):
- activity and/or work on site until the end of the day.
- Lunch to be held usually around 12noon, or when group is ready.
- Closing circle and mahalo to end the day.
We kindly ask that all participants arrive on time and be present at the beginning of the day, and to please notify Pōhāhā I Ka Lani staff if any unexpected changes occur in timing. Presence during the introductions, oral stories, and protocol is crucial for setting the appropriate tone & context for your experience. We are flexible and understand schedules vary so please communicate prior.
PROTOCOL
Please choose a representative from your group to open with a simple introduction and/or an oli (chant) if able. Pōhāhā I Ka Lani will respond appropriately.
OTHER IMPORTANT DETAILS
- Participation is essential. As the group leader, please set the tone and remain engaged throughout the entire visit.
- All participants, including students, teachers, and chaperones, are expected to participate in the lesson and hana (work) for the day unless other arrangements have been made.
- Hold your group participants accountable to expectations during the entire time with Pōhāhā I Ka Lani.
- KUMU (teachers): We encourage you to make connections between classroom content and the learning that is taking place with Pōhāhā I Ka Lani. Please communicate with Pōhāhā I Ka Lani prior to allow for the best integration.
- Children under 5 are welcome if accompanied by an adult.
- GROUP LEADERS: Please confirm the total number of participants, the time of arrival, and any questions you might have via email at pohahaikalani@gmail.com. IF the onsite contact is not yourself, please share who it is with pohahaikalani@gmail.com prior.
DIRECTIONS AND PARKING
MEET UP LOCATION:
Waipiʻo Valley Lookout PONC parcel
- Garden and open lawn parcel on the left of the parking lot when looking at the valley bay)
- Google Map Directions to Waipiʻo Valley Lookout
If arrangements have been made to meet directly at other sites or another location, location & directions will be shared directly in the participation planning with Pōhāhā I Ka Lani.
ARRIVING BY CAR/TRUCK/SMALL VAN:
- Carpooling as much as possible is recommended due to limited parking at all of our sites, including the Waipiʻo Valley Lookout PONC parcel with County parking lot fronting it as lookout visitors often occupy many of the parking spots.
ARRIVING BY BUS [FULL-LENGTH]:
- For the Waipiʻo Valley Lookout:
- If parking IS available for the bus along the road, parallel park and watch traffic when participants offboard & onboard.
- If parking is NOT available for the bus along the road, drop off participants at the lookout parking lot and have the bus driver park the bus at the end of the state highway (Honokaʻa-Waipiʻo Road).
4X4 TRANSPORTATION
- In Waipiʻo Valley (Nāpoʻopoʻo and Apua [Ti House]):
- Truck or van must have four-wheel drive (4×4) low-range. All-wheel drive (AWD) vehicles NOT allowed.
- Vehicle must be in sound working condition.
- Maintain distance between vehicles.
- Descending (downhill) vehicles must yield to ascending (uphill) vehicles
- When descending (downhill), stop at all pull-off points where two vehicles can pass, check for on-coming uphill traffic below and wait there if needed.
- Above Waipiʻo Valley (Lalakea & Mahiki [Waipiʻo Valley rimlands])
- Travel up into the eucalyptus forest is recommended with a truck or van with four-wheel drive (4×4) low-range.
- All-wheel drive (AWD) vehicles without proper tires may have difficulty, possibly getting stuck or burning brakes on steep descents.
AFTER YOUR VISIT MAHALO FOR PARTICIPATING WITH PŌHĀHĀ I KA LANI
Share Your Experience
Mahalo for participating with Pōhāhā I Ka Lani at our Waipiʻo Valley sites & programs. We have faith you enjoyed your time and learned something new in the process.
Please take a few moments to share a reflection of your experience with us.
We appreciate you taking the time to share.
Connect on Social Media
Follow. Tag. Comment. Share
Continued connection and support is much appreciated. Please be sure to follow @pohahaikalani on your favorite social media platform to stay up-to-date with the latest news, events, and offerings.
Please share your organizationʻs Facebook, Instagram or Twitter accounts as well so we can stay connected beyond your day with Pōhāhā I Ka Lani. Feel free to tag @pohahaikalani in your posts about your experience.
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
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