Hoʻōla Hāniʻo was founded by families from Honokai Hale who spent their childhood fishing, swimming, and camping along West Beach, motivated by a deep desire to see the coastline thrive once again.
To restore the fishery of Hāniʻo and its surrounding environment, protecting and preserving all of the ʻike (knowledge), moʻolelo (history), loina (traditional customs), and hana noʻeau (skills and arts) connected to it.
To ensure that Hāniʻo helps to sustain our community, and in the process, encourage our community members to know, celebrate, and mālama their relationship with Hāniʻo.
As explained in the paper Urban ʻĀina, kapu expresses “the things we hold sacred, the resources or elements we literally cannot live without,” and kānāwai means “actions to maintain resources.” The kānāwai here come from traditional wise sayings in Mary Kawena Pukui’s ʻŌlelo Noʻeau and Native Planters.
“Inā e lepo ke kumu wai, e hōʻea ana ka lepo i kai.”
“When the source of water is dirty, the dirt is carried to sea.”
Ensure that pollution and contamination stay out of the waterways that feed into our coast. Likewise, we should keep our minds pono, for thoughts manifest as words and actions.
“He pūkoʻa kani ʻāina.”
“A coral reef that grows into an island.”
The journey of success is made up of many little steps, one step at a time. May we be persistent and consistent with our work at Hāniʻo.
“Ke kala o ke kai, ka papa, ka ʻāina, ka lani, he mau waiwai apau.”
“The kala of the sea, the reef, the land, and the sky, all are important.”
Each one has their place; see value in all. May we cultivate our biodiversity, purposefully attentive to all.
“Pua ke kō, kū mai ka heʻe.”
“When the sugarcane flowers appear, the heʻe are present.”
Be observant to understand how the natural world in our backyard enlightens us. Let traditional knowledge inform our efforts, thanking God for the fulfillment of all that is good.
“He iʻa kokoke kā ka lawaiʻa.”
“A fisherman always finds fish nearby.”
Learn and pass on our cultural practices so that our families and community can thrive. Always acknowledge those who have taught us, and be an intergenerational link mentoring tomorrow’s teachers.
“ʻIke i ke au nui, me ke au iki.”
“Know the big currents and the little currents.”
Strive to understand all aspects to keep our home healthy and protected. Know all issues, concerns, recommendations, and possible solutions.
We are determined to restore the fishery of Hāniʻo and its surrounding environment while protecting and preserving all related ʻike (knowledge), moʻolelo (history), loina (traditional customs), and hana noʻeau (skills and arts). We envision Hāniʻo as a sustainable resource that nurtures our community, inspiring members to know, celebrate, and mālama (to care for) their relationship with this vital ecosystem.
