One of the fundamental concepts of Hawaiian culture is to care for the land.   On Saturday, a diverse group of people joined forces to malama `aina,  care for the land.

We met early in the morning at Papahana Kuaola in Waipao, O`ahu.   This area was once rich farmland growing crops like taro and sweet potato, but invasive species have crowded the stream and made the area impassible.  Previous work crews had cut down the thick growth,   so our task for the day was simple.  We would  create a human chain that would move the debris from one side of the Ha`iku river to the other.

We began with a pule, or prayer, and then moved to form three lines across the river.  We stood side by side, and piece by piece, the wood was passed from hand to hand down the bank, over the stream, and up the other side to form a pile that could be accessed by a truck with a wood chipper.  It was easy to imagine this same task taking place hundreds of years ago.

It wasn’t long before the jokes and stories started up, and the time passed quickly.  After our mid-morning break, the large group split into two.  Some continued to pass the debris across the stream, while others moved to the lo`i, or traditional planting beds for taro.  They had been shaped and the soil turned, but there was still much to do before they could be planted.

We were inspired by the sight of the lo`i already planted:

Our diligence in clearing the stream bed created a very gratifying pile of debris on the hill above the stream bank.

Our entertainment for the day was Lili.  She leaped up and down the stream, more nimble than a mountain goat.  Her priority was rocks, and her preference was for enormous rocks.  She would paw and push under the water to loosen a huge rock, then stick her whole snout into the water to attempt to pick it up.  If you were standing nearby, you were guaranteed a shower!

We finished the morning with a sense of accomplishment and community.  Working side by side with a diverse group of people, some from around the world, we made a small contribution to the land and enriched our own lives immeasurably.