Wailupe, O‘ahu — 

By Max Mukai.  A big mahalo to all of those who came to see the wa‘a thus far. I want to mahalo the rest of the crew for welcoming back to the fold of Hōkūle‘a. I have been away for a long time and it is great to be back participating in the ways of our ancestors. It was a real blessing to sail from Waimanalo to the bay of Maunalua.

Wailupe Valley Trail. Photo: Max Mukai

Today we had a blast with some of the Kaiser student leaders helping us with the many keiki that came to see the wa‘a. Such joy the waa has brought to our community. Later today, we were able to hike a trail in the back of ‘Aina Haina that led to the beautiful ʻElepaio sanctuary. The leaders of that project were kind enough to guide us and a few local residents up mauka.

Hiking the Wailupe Valley Trail. Photo: Max Mukai

Oli were given to protect our steps and to bring life to the native foliage that is making a comeback due to the efforts of protecting and rehabilitating the ʻElepaio sanctuary. It is these kinds of connections that we make as a community crucial as the wa‘a herself is literally kui i ka lei o Hawai‘i, or sewing us and our various communities together like a lei. I know that aloha still resides here in this great wahi. E mau ana ke aloha o kēia wahi nei.

Enjoy these pictures from our adventures mauka. Ke aloha no.