Hosting the 20th Anniversary Hui Mālama Loko I’a Conference

Between June 20th and 23rd Hawaiʻi Land Trust’s Ka Poholima Kā’eo partnered with Kuaʻāina Ulu ʻAuamo (KUA) to host the 20th annual Hui Mālama Loko I’a conference at the Waihe’e Coastal Dunes & Wetlands Refuge on the island of Maui.  From the very beginning you could feel the mana of all the loko i’a practitioners as they arrived.  Over 200 uhuau humu pohaku (Hawaiian dry stack masonry) practitioners and their families representing a total of 30 loko i’a from across the pae ʻāina attend the three-day conference this year.  Hui Mālama Loko I’a is a grass-roots association of individuals, families, and organizations dedicated to maintaining a network of fishpond practitioners and stakeholders to share resources and educate the community about Hawaiian fishponds. Working closely with Uncle Walter Ritte of Moloka’i, the first Statewide Fishpond Consortium was held at He’eia State Park in 2004. In 2013, KUA began supporting the convening and facilitation of the Hui which currently includes over 60 loko iʻa revitalization projects. The Hui is driven by loko iʻa practitioners and KUA continues to facilitate their collective discussions and work.

The first day of the conference was occupied with protocol and ceremony, important activities before beginning any large endeavor. First, Ka Poholima Kā’eo introduced its newest members, Moanaliha and Kawaoma’ukele, twin Lono pahu (drums) that were carved from two niu trees that were stuck by lightning at the same time on the Waihe’e Refuge in 2022.  These pahu, as they were played, created a sacred space in which all the practitioners connected to Waihe’e physically and spiritually. We also honored ka polohiwa a Kāne (summer solstice) and recognized energy of the full moon influencing the work and the gathering.

The participants were given the opportunity to provide service work at Ko'ie'ie fishpond in north Kīhei, Kaʻehu in Wailuku, and Pu’u Kukui. These opportunities rounded out learning for the participants, allowing greater understanding of ʻāina work on Maui from mauka to makai. The day was completed back at Waiheʻe Refuge where participants watched a video the Refuge from the early 2000s when community members came together to protect Waiheʻe from development into a luxury golf resort. The video served as an opportunity to be reminded of the tremendous work it took to protect Waihe'e, the work that’s been done over the years, work yet to be done, and why it’s important to continue to follow in the footsteps of our kūpuna.

On the final day of the conference everyone worked together to help Ka Poholima Kā’eo and their restoration efforts for the Kapoho fishpond. With leadership from Kia’i Collier, Peleke Flores, Keahi Pi’iohia, and the alaka’i of Ka Poholima Kā’eo (‘Ūlili Quenga, Kūākea Yasak, Kealiha Ishikawa, Jobi Miguel, William Anana, Enzo Magliozzi and Dustin Draper) over 200 loko i’a practitioners built 1,000ft of kuapā in just 4 hours. This incredible accomplishment establishes higher standards for all the loko i’a across the pae ‘āina. The closing ceremony, amplified by the twin pahu, consecrated the mana and intentions that were achieved that day.

The shared feelings of accomplishment and aloha lasted for many days following the event and the achievement in building the kuapā will potentially last for centuries.

— Kia’i Collier, Maui Steward

GALLERY PHOTO CREDIT: CODY LANG CREATIVE