Papahana Kuaola, Hawaii 2024

Day 1: 8/12 Introduction to the Mission

Today we were introduced to the scope and purpose of our volunteer work at Papahana Kuaola. Located in the valley of surrounding mountains, Panahana Kuaola is focused on growing and restoring the Kalo plant which is endemic to the islands of Hawaii. Kalo is deeply rooted in Hawaiian history and culture; Sheila, one of the long term volunteers, described Kalo as inseparable and indistinguishable from Hawaiian identity. The Kalo plant’s population and prevalence has been declining, so it is Papahana Kuaola’s job to ensure this vital aspect of Hawaiian life remains alive well into the future.

On this first day, we got an overview of the layout of the land. The water flow of the land has been controlled to flow through the designated Kalo farming areas, snaking down from higher elevations to lower elevations. These sections of Kalo growth, known as lo’i, are filled with nutrient-dense mud, which is up to 3 feet deep in some areas. Sheila instructed us to remove the dangerous weeds and stomping on the others in these lo’i patches (so they could be repurposed as soil nutrients for the Kalo plants). So we all got thigh-deep in mud to stomp on invasive weeds disturbing Kalo growth. It was a blast.

The most impactful lesson of the day was contrasting our conservation efforts with the failures of the government and Navy to properly preserve Hawaiian land. As we worked on the lo’i, Sheila was pointing over to the eyesore in the distance, the highway that ran through the Hawaiian wilderness, connecting one part of the island to the rest. It’s a strange sight to behold, and arguably even stranger to know that it was originally created for the US armed forces to travel from one part of the island to the other. Sheila also told us about how, in the recent past, the Navy mistakenly leaked fuel, polluting the water supply used by Hawaiian citizens, causing them to get sick. It made us realize that while we as students are participating in this grassroots effort to restore the Kalo plant, greater care must be adopted by our own government in conserving Hawaiian nature.

-Mike Martucci & Nam Le

Day 2: 8/13 Polynesian Productivity

On our second day of volunteering, we were introduced to a bit of a deeper dive into the process of growing taro (kalo). We focused on weed mitigation and learned the importance of utilizing the entirety of the trees we harvest. Our new volunteer lead, Ke’imi, is such a kind and genuine person who was both informative and a great guy to make sure the vibes and morale stayed positive. Ke’imi showed us how to use machetes to cut down banana trees which was a very fun and therapeutic experience for us all. We then transported the trees to the Io’i patches to harvest the separate portions of the trees to be utilized for different purposes. For the leaves, we strategically placed them around the kalo and placed the stalks on top to prevent weed growth. After we cleaned up, we then went over to their swimming pond to “attempt” to get some of the mud off of us and relax for a bit. It was a great day for us to all be disconnected from our phones and appreciate the moment and our natural surroundings. To finish off the first part of the day we made lunch and started our drive to the Polynesian cultural center, with of course adding a stop for some smoothies and shaved ice.

The Polynesian Culture Center consists of 6 villages that represent the islands of Polynesia. We had the opportunity to explore each village where we watched performances, learned about key cultural aspects, and try a few activities ourselves. One of my favorite parts was watching a Tahitian traditional wedding ceremony. They also invited any married couples in the audience to stand and take part by renewing their vows. They do not say “I do”; rather, they ask “will you leave your spouse” and then the couple responds “no” (‘aita). I really enjoyed watching both the actual ceremony and the audience members who participated. 

That evening, we watched the night time show called “the breath of Ha” (life). This performance connected all of the Polynesian islands and the circle of life.

-Kate Howard & Matt Sinanis

Day 3: 8/14 Embracing Mindfulness

Today, our third day, we worked with Imi. He set the tone for the day as he guided us to focus on setting our intentions for the day. Our intentions consisted of disconnecting for other stresses of daily life, bringing positive energy, and giving our best effort! This mindfulness at the start of the day prepared us for a day with hands-on learning and deep connections to traditional practices. 

Our primary task of the day was working with Loi. More specifically, building the mounds in the loi, an integral part of cultivating the Kanu kalo, or taro plant. These mounds are essential for proper water management and provide a fertile environment for the kalo to thrive. As we shaped and formed the mounds, we engaged in a collective effort, each of us contributing to a larger purpose. Additionally, we were given the opportunity to harvest the kanu kalo in a different loi, which was both rewarding and insightful. After harvesting, we broke down the mounds which revealed the full cycle of the kalo plant. This process was not only educational but also underscored the significance of our work. Seeing the kalo at different stages allowed us to appreciate the impact of our efforts. Each small action we took in the loi contributed to the health of the plant and, by extension, the well-being of our community. This traditional practice not only sustains us but also connects us to our cultural heritage, highlighting the importance of every individual's contribution.

After working in the lo’is we made lunch at Papahana Kuaola from our cooler. The sea salt vinegar chips were a hit :) We ventured to the north side of the island to Shark’s Cove and Sunset Beach. Shark’s Cove is known for having vibrant sea wildlife all around the shallow pools. Some of us came prepared for snorkeling and luckily there was a Foodland store across from the beach for those that didn’t. We had the opportunity to swim with numerous sea turtles nibbling on the algae and a rainbow of colors in the other fish and coral. We gathered at some food trucks for dinner and watched the sunset, as some of us practiced some yoga and headstands. We all had a moment together to appreciate and acknowledge a lot of the raw natural beauty of O’ahu.

We arrived back to Camp Erdman with anticipation for a bonfire! S’mores started to cook immediately after the fire was ready to go. Nam facilitated 2 tantalizing rounds of the game Mafia under the blanket of stars. We ended the night with a journaling session. Verbal affirmations of gratitude and appreciation around the circle created a positive atmosphere before we headed to rest.

-Ayushi & Thomas

Day 4: 8/16 The Power of Unity 

Today was the first at Papahana Kuaola that we were not working in the lo’i and instead working in the stream that runs through the valley. Hawaii experiences flash flooding which can cause erosion of the banks especially since the introduction of invasive species. Our group was working on removing these invasive species on the bank so that we can replant natives which have adapted and evolved over time to hold the sediment infrastructure with their root systems. 

Arguably, tearing out weeds is not quite as riveting as stomping around in the mud like days previous, but it was a rewarding experience nevertheless. While working in the stream, we found 2 native snails. After talking with Eeme, we found out that they had surveyed where we were working as well as the length of ½ a mile down stream and they hadn’t found a single one of these snails. Within a 10 ft stretch we ended up finding not one but two. For me, this goes to show that the work that Papahana Kuaola is doing and that we are doing is making a significant impact on bringing the native species of Hawaii back. 

We also talked about how the stream is the interconnecter of the valley. There are multiple organizations that work through the valley growing kalo and using native methods to cultivate fish for consumption. Being in the mountains, what we do to the water trickles down and impacts the work that the other organizations are doing. They are all connected both in mission and by ā’ina. In order to ensure the success of the collective, we have to actively protect one another through our care and actions. We are stronger as a collective. 

After our volunteering we went to the Pearl Harbor memorial where we took a ferry over to the USS Arizona, which still lies within the ocean. As we entered this experience we were prefaced with the fact that this is not only a piece of US history, but a burial site for roughly 400 fallen soldiers. Walking onto the memorial you can see the remnants of the ship sticking out of the water. As you continue walking, there is a room that holds the names of all of the soldiers who died and the survivors who have chosen, in death, to rejoin their fellow soldiers. Seeing the 20 ft wall lined head to toe with names really put into perspective just how horrific the attack really was. 

The intended effect of Pearl Harbor was to demoralize the US, however, it had the opposite impact. The country united under the phrase “Remember Pearl Harbor” and eventually won the war. The tragedy of Pearl Harbor was a unifier that influenced the United States to come together and fight stronger. This sense of unity across the country made it possible for the United States to succeed in the Pacific Theater and the rest of the war. 

-Makenzie and Anna 

Day 5: 8/17 Last Dance

Today was nothing short of incredible! We kicked things off early, making it out the door by 7:15 and heading to the Papahana volunteer site on the other side of the island. The morning drive was stunning as usual, with fog and rain blanketing the landscape—clouds gather over the mainland, creating these magical views. We’ve really mastered our morning routine by now: one car goes straight to the site to start setting up while the other makes a pit stop at Target to gather food for the day. During the drive, we brainstormed activities for tomorrow—half of us are planning to go skydiving at 8 a.m. while the rest will be out on a boat snorkeling and diving. It’s going to be an epic weekend.

Today was a bit different at Papahana Kuaola, as we wore closed-toed shoes. Our volunteer guide, Logan, has been with Papahana Kuaola for 9 years, and she welcomed us with some Hawaiian legends about the mountains that shape the land’s watershed and the native families who have lived here for centuries. Their stories are so rich with moral lessons that they’re still told to guide the younger generations in their decisions. Check out their website for video reenactments of these legends—they’re incredible.

We spent the first hour and a half weeding invasive species around the native plants. We had sickles, machetes, pickaxes and split up into smaller groups and made some serious progress. After that, we helped with the construction of a traditional Hawaiian hale, which is a house with a thatched roof, elevated floors on wooden stilts, and open walls. We started by transporting dried tea leaves to a stream to soak them, preparing them for bundling. Once the stems were soft enough, we peeled and bundled them for thatching the roof. Then, we climbed up the wooden frame of the hale to attach the bundles using square knots. It was a very interesting process to take part in.

After wrapping up our volunteering, we grabbed a quick lunch and headed to Lanikai Beach for some much-needed relaxation. We spent the afternoon swimming, playing catch, and walking along the beach before picking up dinner at Foodland and having a sunset picnic back at our camp. We closed out the day journaling on the beach as the sun set—a perfect way to reflect on everything we experienced and close out the week. This trip has been such an amazing blend of giving back, soaking in the beauty of Hawai’i, and embracing new experiences!

-Jack Naidrich