Ka Wai Ola News

Ka Wai Ola News Indigenous media outlet sharing news, features and events with a focus on the Native Hawaiian community

On July 31, 1843, Pauahi watched her nation rise again. That day, later celebrated as Lā Hoʻihoʻi Ea, Restoration Day, b...
10/17/2025

On July 31, 1843, Pauahi watched her nation rise again. That day, later celebrated as Lā Hoʻihoʻi Ea, Restoration Day, became the first national holiday of the Hawaiian Kingdom.

As a student at the Chiefs’ Children’s School, Pauahi recorded the joy of that moment in her own hand: “[t]hey pulled down the English flag and hoisted the Hawaiian flag and we were all rejoicing. This evening the largest children went down to Mrs. Hooper’s and we sang, ʻGod Save the King.’”

On the inside cover of her journal, the young chiefess drew the symbols she held most dear: the hae Hawaiʻi, flying proudly on its staff, and the hae kalaunu (royal standard) of her uncle and king, Kauikeaouli. Beneath them were the carefully written letters “BERN,” a tender shorthand for her own name.

Education as the Hope of a Nation: The founding of Kamehameha Schools was never about laws, treaties, or politics By Sterling Wong at kawaiola.news/hoonaauao/education-as-the-hope-of-a-nation.

Acclaimed Scottish writer Robert Louis Stevenson arrived in Honolulu in January 1889. King Kalākaua, himself a poet, bec...
10/16/2025

Acclaimed Scottish writer Robert Louis Stevenson arrived in Honolulu in January 1889. King Kalākaua, himself a poet, became an early friend and introduced Stevenson to fellow Scotsman Archibald Cleghorn.

When Stevenson visited the Cleghorn home, the huge banyan tree in the yard became his refuge.

He often sat on the stone bench beneath the tree, enthralling Kaʻiulani with stories and knowing she was to attend school in London, he took time to prepare her for that rainy place and its rigid class system.

The Princess and the Poet - By Gene Parola
Read more at kawaiola.news/moomeheu/moolelo/the-princess-and-the-poet.

There are differing versions of Kaʻiana’s final battle, but it seems certain that both he and Nāhiʻōleʻa were killed ear...
10/15/2025

There are differing versions of Kaʻiana’s final battle, but it seems certain that both he and Nāhiʻōleʻa were killed early on near the present location of Queen Emma’s Summer Palace.

According to historian Stephen L. Desha, Kaʻiana fought bravely but was hit three times with musket balls to the chest. He kept fighting until he was shot in his left thigh and fell, suffering great loss of blood from his many wounds.

Kekupuohi saw him fall and ran without hindrance to where he lay. Kaʻiana, barely alive and unable to speak, gazed upon his beloved warrior wife who had fought against him for the last time in this life.

She lifted his head upon her lap and tears of love flowed freely. Before his last breath, Kekupuohi caressed her beloved husband and this tragic sight on that terrible battlefield touched the hearts of the onlookers. It is said that the shooting on both sides stopped as both enemies and friends shed tears of sadness. Kekupuohi then chanted a farewell oli.

Another well-known version has it that Kaʻiana was felled by a cannon ball fired by his old enemy John Young.

The Life and Death of Kaʻiana By Brook Kapūkuniahi Parker at kawaiola.news/moomeheu/moolelo/the-life-and-death-of-kaiana.

Kaina Makua, the kalo farmer who became famed actor in Chief of War, carries the same sense of purpose on screen into hi...
10/13/2025

Kaina Makua, the kalo farmer who became famed actor in Chief of War, carries the same sense of purpose on screen into his work off-screen. Within the past decade, he’s poured his mana into growing his nonprofit, expanding from 10 to nearly 100 acres of restored agricultural ʻāina across four sites on Kauaʻi and Oʻahu.

More than 3,500 ʻōpio have taken part in its ʻāina-based education programs. Through its commercial brand, Aloha ʻĀina Poi Co., the group processes and distributes more than 70,000 pounds of fresh poi across Hawaiʻi each year.

A Path of Purpose by Moanikeʻala Nabarro at kawaiola.news/hoonaauao/a-path-of-purpose.

Leialoha Kaula, a kumu hula in Oregon, established Ka ʻAha Lāhui O ʻOlekona – Hawaiian Civic Club of Oregon & South West...
10/11/2025

Leialoha Kaula, a kumu hula in Oregon, established Ka ʻAha Lāhui O ʻOlekona – Hawaiian Civic Club of Oregon & South West Washington in 2019.

The intention is to make a place that gives visibility to, and instills a sense of identity in, Kānaka.

The organization established a partnership with the Oregon Food Bank and obtained land to plant kalo. The club also houses the AloHā Resource & Community Center for Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders. Kaula said these resources are needed by the Hawaiian diaspora.

“Our people have, for far too long, felt this sense of shame, a sense of not being enough, a sense of longing,” she said. “The intentionality behind what I do is to dismantle that.”

Read Faces of the Diaspora by Megan Ulu-lani Boyanton
kawaiola.news/on-the-continent/faces-of-the-diaspora-empowering-the-diaspora-in-the-pacific-northwest

Currently, HIDOE has only one K-12 kaiapuni school on Oʻahu – Ānuenue in Pālolo. According to the Ke ʻAlohi ʻo ʻEwa (KAʻ...
10/10/2025

Currently, HIDOE has only one K-12 kaiapuni school on Oʻahu – Ānuenue in Pālolo. According to the Ke ʻAlohi ʻo ʻEwa (KAʻE) Strategic Vision Report, 42% of Ānuenue students reside in the ʻEwa and Waiʻanae districts.

KAʻE envisions a K-12 kula kaiapuni built within three years to serve not only ʻEwa, but also the leeward and central districts.

KAʻE is ramping up its advocacy efforts for the upcoming legislative session and plans to work with HIDOE and other kaiapuni partners to expand educational resources for Hawaiian language immersion.

Parent Advocacy Results in New Kaiapuni Class at Kapolei
By Donalyn Dela Cruz
Read more at KaWaiOla.News

Legal concerns, the rights and claims of Kānaka ʻŌiwi, heightened awareness of environmental impacts, and the needs of f...
10/08/2025

Legal concerns, the rights and claims of Kānaka ʻŌiwi, heightened awareness of environmental impacts, and the needs of future generations may now be shifting Hawaiʻi’s long deference to military pressure.

Local governments have already signaled opposition to continued military training: the Hawaiʻi County Council unanimously passed a resolution urging an end to the bombing and desecration of Pōhakuloa, and the rejection of any proposed Army land retention without “comprehensive cleanup, restoration, and bioremediation.”

While Hawaiʻi residents continue to await clarity from the governor, many have called on him to reconsider engaging in backroom negotiations.

“The commitment the governor has expressed to the military should not be greater than the commitment he took on to respect and represent the people of Hawaiʻi,” said Healani Sonoda-Pale, an organizer with Ka Lāhui Hawaiʻi.

“The people have spoken. The land board and county councils are listening. The governor must do the same.”

Deal or No Deal? By Natali Segovia and Wayne Chung Tanaka at kawaiola.news/aina/deal-or-no-deal

At Kona ʻĀkau (North Kona), in Ahupuaʻa Kaʻūpūlehu and neighboring Kūkiʻo, kamaʻāina and supporters agreed: No fishing, ...
10/06/2025

At Kona ʻĀkau (North Kona), in Ahupuaʻa Kaʻūpūlehu and neighboring Kūkiʻo, kamaʻāina and supporters agreed: No fishing, no gathering for 10 years.

Known in the community as “Try Wait” it’s been a pause exercised with great discipline, so nā mea kai (ocean resources) can grow and replenish; so they can harvest from a place of abundance rather than depletion; so more can be fed, and so future generations are able to taste the ʻono of Kaʻūpūlehu too.

More at KaWaiOla.News/issue/ka-wai-ola-vol-42-no-9-september-2025/

These processions have been witnessed by Hawaiians and non-Hawaiians from many different walks of life as their similar ...
10/03/2025

These processions have been witnessed by Hawaiians and non-Hawaiians from many different walks of life as their similar stories of fear and wonder are recounted over and over. But the question always comes back to, “Who are the night marchers?”

Read more online at KaWaiOla.News.

The ʻOkakopa issue of Ka Wai Ola is out and online. Check out our ghost stories, news and events happening this month at...
10/02/2025

The ʻOkakopa issue of Ka Wai Ola is out and online. Check out our ghost stories, news and events happening this month at KaWaiOla.News.

Mysteries of Hawai'i

Earlier this month, Office of Hawaiian Affairs staff participated in a service learning activity at the wahi kapu of Kūk...
09/25/2025

Earlier this month, Office of Hawaiian Affairs staff participated in a service learning activity at the wahi kapu of Kūkaniloko, the site of sacred birthing stones used by generations of ali‘i. Located in Wahiawā, Kūkaniloko is considered the geographical and spiritual piko (center) of O‘ahu.

Since 1960, the Hawaiian Civic Club of Wahiawā has cared for this sacred place. Caretakers shared ‘ike about the site with OHA staff and leaders from ʻĀina Kaiāulu, a non-profit partner, directed staff in clearing weeds from around keiki koa trees planted in an effort to reforest the area after decades of use as sugar and pineapple plantations.

In 2012, OHA received over 500 acres surrounding Kūkaniloko with help from the Trust for Public Land and the State of Hawai‘i with kuleana to take care of the land for cultural preservation and agriculture.

The Kūkaniloko Birth Site is closed to the public. If you would like to sign up for a volunteer day email [email protected] or [email protected] for more information.

Photos by Nelson Gaspar and Jason Lees.
ainakaiaulu.org
kukaniloko.org

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