Kamakani o Waimea

Kamakani o Waimea (“the winds of Waimea”) is a grassroots community effort, based on the North Shore of O’ahu, to support authentic expression of Hawaiian culture in Waimea Valley (Ahupua’a o Waimea).

Special Public Event: A special moment at Waimea — the beginning of Makahiki in October, 2010 — is when the Trailmarker Pohaku will be officially opened to the world. Everyone will be invited — native Hawaiians, residents and visitors, youth and students. Here is a description of the purpose of this event. Ho’omakaukau! (to prepare and make ready). The opening of the Trailmarkers Pohaku at the entrance to Ahupua’a o Waimea took place successfully on February 20, 2010. Ho’opomaika’i! (to provide protection, give blessings, goodness). Finishing the installation takes place in three parts: Installing the fenceposts, installing the chain, and adding an educational sign. Reflections from Kupuna Kawohiokalani (Aunty Betty Jenkins).

We support our kupuna in Ahupua’a o Waimea, led by Kupuna Kawohiokalani (Aunty Betty Jenkins), one of the North Shore’s most respected Hawaiian leaders. She is supported by Kupuna Kanani Awai, Makua Coco Leong, Makua Rick Ortiz, Makua Kawika Au, Uncle Jack Jenkins, and a core of Hawaiian and kama’aina, in an extended ‘ohana.

Our purpose is to fulfill the original community vision for Waimea, and to act in harmony with the purpose of this historic ahupua’a as a center of service, excellence and learning. The full story of how Waimea Valley was saved by united community action, for the future of the Hawaiian people, is told at waimeavalley.org.

Kamakani o Waimea holds public talks and classes in a section of the main gift shop at Waimea called Wahi o Kupuna.

Hawaiian culture will live and breathe in Waimea again, and it is our kuleana to make it so. We humbly resolve that we will think and act in a fully pono way, according to correct protocol and in the original Hawaiian tradition.

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Everyone is welcome. Some may respond with their time, some with ideas, some with funds, some with connections, some as teachers – all forms of support are welcome, and equally important.

The first project is to place a large display of pohaku at the entrance of Ahupua’a o Waimea and announce their presence. This is known as the Trailmarker Project, since it involves positioning a traditional Hawaiian trailmarker, a guide made of stones from the surrounding area. Traditional trailmarkers were intended to show the way to travellers, and were placed in high places. They might be visible from other hilltops from miles away — or even from neighboring islands. The local kahu and chief cultural practitioner for this project is Uncle Rick Ortiz, whose family has a long history of service to the Valley.

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Our trailmarker is visible to all who pass by the entry to the ahupua’a, where ocean meets river, and declares to the world that the Hawaiian people have returned to Waimea, and that all are welcome. Here is the original concept drawing for the Trailmarker, as designed by local artist Bill Braden:

Here is a photograph of the actual site, with the pohaku as envisioned by the group when they would be completed:

And here is how the Trailmarker Pohaku looks today, as it nears opening in spring of 2010:

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Here is an interactive map that shows a current satellite image of Waimea; you may drag and zoom it easily. Click on it to see a magnified version that will give you directions from any point on O’ahu: