Kamakani o Waimea

View inland from the entrance to Waimea Valley, 2010.

Special Event at Waimea Valley: You are Invited

After years of vision and hard work, an important day has arrived for our beloved Waimea Valley (Ahupua’a o Waimea).

Kupuna Aunty Betty Jenkins, Kupuna Kanani Awai and other leading Hawaiians on the North Shore invite you to a short but very special event at the entrance to the Valley on Saturday, February 20, from 4:00 to 5:00 pm.

The occasion is Ho’omakaukau! (to prepare and make ready) for the large display of Pohaku (specially-prepared stones) that you may have noticed at the entrance to this historic ahupua’a. These stones are a cultural Trailmarker, to indicate an important place and guide the traveler to it. They are intended by the kupuna to invite people to return to Waimea — the whole world is welcome here.

The Pohaku say to everyone: E komo Mai! Welcome!

A short ceremony will be held, according to pono practices, to recognize the occasion. We will hear pule (prayers), enjoy traditional hula, hear talkstory from the Aunties about how this event came about and what it means. Recognized Pohaku practitioner Rick Ortiz — whose family has long lineage in Waimea — will lead simple activities to place additional small stones in the marker. Award-winning local artist Bill Braden will be on hand; he originated the design of the Trailmarker and developed it with cultural kokua from Rick.

Kawika Au and his extraordinary young daughters, Kona, Uilani, and Lokomaikai, will offer appropriate chants and dance their graceful traditional hula.

There will be live music performed by our wonderful neighbor musician, Owana Salazar, who recently won a Grammy for her world-class slack key guitar and vocals.

And there will be an explanation of what comes next — upcoming events at this important new site for Waimea, and what we as a community can do to help. Those who request it will receive a special historic gift — a piece of stone from the base of the main Pohaku.

Please come to this beautiful ‘ohana event; chiefly our North Shore friends and neighbors are being invited, though everyone is welcome. This will be a small, intense gathering of people who love Waimea and want to see it prosper.

Saturday, February 20, 4:00 – 5:00 pm. No charge, open to all. Parking is immediately inside the entrance to the Valley on the left, in a small grass lot set aside for this purpose.

View inland from the entrance to Waimea Valley, as it was in the 1920's.