Kamakani o Waimea

Respecting and Practicing Hawaiian Culture in Waimea Valley

Massive Pohaku Trailmarker Unveiled
at Waimea Valley

A massive construction of pohaku, natural lava stones that recall original Hawaiian trailmarkers, will be announced to the public at Waimea Valley (Ahupua’a o Waimea) during the first phase of Makahiki, in October, 2010. Details of day and time will be released later. The pohaku are open now for the public to enjoy.

The “Generations Pohaku” Trailmarker is a community project led by native Hawaiians from the North Shore and supported by kama’aina residents. It was developed over several years by Kamakani o Waimea (“The Winds of Waimea”), guided by Aunty Betty Jenkins, Aunty Kanani Awai and many others. The Trailmarker is a makana (gift) to Waimea that has received kokua (help) from Alu Like, volunteers, and donations. It was accepted by Hi’ipaka LLC, which administers Ahupua’a o Waimea on behalf of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

Aunty Betty said, “We invite and welcome travelers of the world to Ahupua’a o Waimea, saying “E komo mai!” Waimea is a special gift, with a deep history, purpose, historic struggles, and successes as a ‘living treasure’. It is a place of great mana (spiritual energy), history and learning. Waimea is one of the last undivided ahupua’a (Hawaiian land, from ocean to mountains) on O’ahu. In days past, trail markers of all sizes guided and directed travelers to places of significance. In this living tradition, these pohaku welcome visitors from all places near and far, saying E komo mai upon arrival and bidding farewell when they leave, with a message of malama pono — be well in mind, body and spirit. The pohaku begin and end the visitor s special cultural time at Ahupua’a o Waimea.

The natural lava stones measure over 12 feet high at the center, more than 72 feet around and weigh more than 100 tons. Thousands of natural stones were lovingly collected from the surrounding area near Ahupua’a o Waimea and brought to the entrance in recent years. At the center of the Trailmarker are three pohaku, anchored and connected to the earth below. Together the pohaku represent an ‘ohana (family) symbolized by a kupuna pohaku, first generation, a smaller pohaku symbolizing the female makua (parent) and the smallest pohaku representing keiki (children) symbolic of the many yet to be born.

The artist team of Bill and Jinny Braden (see http://billbraden.com) worked with the Kupuna and Rick Ortiz, a native Hawaiian with direct family lineage in Ahupua’a o Waimea. Rick was designated by Kupuna as the pohaku practitioner to select, move and place the pohaku according to Hawaiian tradition and pono practice. He did much of the work of moving and placing the stones personally, along with his brother Mitch, Kawika Au, the Aiwohi and Waiwaiole ‘ohana and other North Shore Hawaiians.

“This living stone is seen clearly from the entrance of the Ahupua’a, and from surrounding hills,” explained Rick Ortiz. “It serves a practical purpose for anyone traveling on foot. No modern masonry is used; this is all carefully-fitted natural stone. These pohaku will remain in place for many centuries to come, symbolizing both the noble past of Ahupua’a o Waimea and its peaceful, creative future.”

At the event in October, all will be invited — native Hawaiians, residents and visitors. Youth and students will be especially encouraged to come. Participants will hear stories of Waimea and accounts of the history of the pohaku project. Hula and music will be shared, pule (prayer) will be heard into the depths of the valley. Everyone will be invited to place small pohaku, selected from stones gathered from Waimea.

Many groups united in 2006 to raise over $14 million in order to purchase and preserve the 300-acre Waimea Valley for generations to come. They include the State Legislature of Hawaii, the City and County of Honolulu, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the National Audubon Society, and the United States Army. Hi’ipaka LLC was designated by OHA to administer the Valley. See http://www.waimeavalley.net

For more information, contact: Aunty Betty Jenkins, 808-637-9118; email kupuna@kamakaniowaimea.com