He Mamo O Lele

Returning To Our Roots

A young wahine born on Maui and raised at 547 Waine’e street near Waiola Church in Lahaina—land of the living waters, the moving waters—grows up deeply connected to her ‘ohana and her ancestral home. Her name speaks of a sweet wafting fragrance. For a quarter of a century, her mother, Emelia Kahili (Momona) Kaina, known affectionately as “Aunty Kahili,” was the konohiki for the royal tomb of Kalanikauika’alaneookeopuolani, the sacred wife of Kamehameha nui and the mother of his heirs Kamehameha II and Kamehameha III as well as Princess Nāhi‘ena‘ena.

Aunty Kahili was known as a genealogist, a keeper of knowledge, and an advocate for Hawaiian culture. She co-founded the Friends of Keopuolani with Lydia Poaipuni in 1972 to restore the royal tomb and ensure it would be cared for by the next generation while grooming her daughters for this kuleana. This young wahine’s father, Benjamin Jayme Aquino , the oldest of 13, worked for the county parks caring for Malu’ulu o Lele Park and then Lahaina’s iconic Banyan tree.

At only 17 years of age, this young wahine loses her mom and her world goes dark. She was raised to be independent and knows she must not burden her relatives so she leaves Lahaina and her family home to make her way in the world. She carries with her the kuleana passed on to her and her twin sister—to protect and honor the royal tomb of Keopuolani and Princess Nāhi‘ena‘ena—and in her heart she know that she will return to Lahaina when the time is right.

As this young wahine grows up, she becomes the kia’i for Mauna Haleakalā, protecting this sacred wao akua and leading sunrise ceremonies. After almost 40 years away from Lahaina, she watches with Maui and the world as her beloved hometown and Waiola church are taken by flames, yet the cemetery remains untouched. She doesn’t consider her own loss but can only think of the people that just lost so much. She shows up at the War Memorial fueled by a deep love for the people rooted in generations of stewardship. She organizes Da Hui to provide compassionate care for survivors. She has come home, young and old alike call her “Aunty Nettie.”

After more than seven months providing aid to impacted ‘ohana primarily in Central Maui, Nā Kia’i O Maui is being called to establish a presence in Lahaina. The following pages share our vision for our newest endeavor to serve the people as they transition into short and then long-term housing— the Lahaina Resource and Recovery Center.

No Nā Kānaka

As families begin to move out of non-congregate shelters, Na Kia’i O Maui is pivoting to provide a robust array of support for this difficult transition. Even before the fires, Maui was in a housing crises and securing homes for survivors has been very difficult. We were also dismayed to hear from families that they have been constantly moved from hotel to hotel over the past seven months further exacerbating this very stressful time. Many survivors are (still) just trying to find some place to land and reestablish a sense of normalcy to their lives.

To alleviate the burden of settling into their new residences, Nā Kia’i is currently seeking a home for the Lahaina Resource and Recovery Center (LRRC) which will provide ‘ohana with everything needed to furnish and outfit their homes. From large items like furniture and appliances, to smaller thing like lamps, rugs, linens, pots and pans, and dishes, to consumables like laundry detergent, dish soap, and cleaning supplies.

Goods will be donated and volunteers will provide delivery to homes across Maui and assist with getting everything situated in the home keeping all goods and services free to families. Additional support will be provided for elderly and those with limited physical capacity for moving heavy items. We will evolve and expand this work to meet needs as they arise or change.

In addition to outfitting homes, the LRRC will create jobs for Lahaina people. It is our intention that paid positions created will be filled by Lahaina people—from warehouse workers, to contractors that service our facilities, to our insurance carriers, to equipment repair and maintenance.

Because so much was lost in the fire, there are very few options for a space that can fulfill our requirements for the LRRC. We have put an offer in for a 6,250 square feet warehouse in Lahaina that is a perfect fit for our needs—the former Tamura’s market. Available April 1, 2024, this spacious warehouse with bay doors is just what we need for the LRRC while the large paved parking area opens up countless possibilities such as a farmer’s market or other activities that support Lahaina’s economic recovery.

Kia'i

To watch, guard to overlook, as a bluff guard, watchman, caretaker to pay very close attention to to protect as of a cherished place