Ho‘omo‘o I Ke Ala Kūpuna

By Kaupō Community Association, Inc.

Following Ancestral Pathways

Encoded in the ‘āina and kānaka of Kaupō we find ancestral pathways of pono (right and natural order) and abundance. In traditional mo‘olelo, the sacred relationship between the earth and humanity is a profound and constant theme that weaves throughout the tapestry of life and across generations.

As the Kaupō community seeks to reclaim our rightful roles— as stewards of Kaupō’s ‘āina; caretakers of kūpuna, mo‘olelo, and ‘ohana; and navigators of our future—we root our efforts to these generational pathways. We embrace our collective capacity to care for these lands and for one another.

How then do we surface the abundance that is already here in seed form awaiting the right conditions to kupu (sprout, grow)?

Kumu John Kaimikaua, a revered kumu hula associated with Moloka‘i, shared much ‘ike during his lifetime that continues to guide Hawai‘i today. One of the ancient chants he shared spoke of a time when “ho‘ale ka lepo popolo,” the dark earth would rise up like a wave, meaning indigenous people and ways of being would rise to heal generations of environmental disregard.

A similar message is heard in a Hawaiian prophecy: E iho ana o luna, E pi‘i ana o lalo, E hui ana nā moku, E kū ana ka paia.

That which is above shall descend, that which is below shall rise, the islands shall be united and the walls shall stand.

Kumu John spoke at length on pono and the pooling of collective human intent. When we are of one na‘au, one mind, and one heart—a community in harmony with each other and the pono of this place— we become unstoppable, like a wave.

How do we remember together the pono of Kaupō and pool our individual intentions and mana into a whole that is greater than its parts?

As a step toward these goals, the Kaupō Community Association, Inc. (KCAI) will be convening a series of gatherings to explore together the things that matter most to our community. At the KCAI community meeting in April 2022, those gathered identified the list below as core topics for deeper dialogue.

Gatherings will be open to all Kaupō community members and may include other stakeholders as appropriate.

Additionally, KCAI will be reaching out to ‘ohana to conduct one on one interviews with families who would like to share more about their hopes for Kaupō’s future.

Community dialogues and ‘ohana talk story sessions are supported by KCAI’s Kūhohonu initiative.

Topics for Community Dialogue Wai/Water

Food Sharing/Sovereignty

Protecting Natural Resources

Emergency Response/Readiness

Caring for Kaupō’s History/Mo‘olelo

Illegal Hunting & Community Safety

Road (Dust Impact on Residents)

Economic Resiliency

‘Āina—Stewardship/Ownership

Social Infrastructure & Communication

Community/Cultural Knowledge

Sharing Protecting our Rural Lifestyle