Hoaʻāina Heritage Services, LLC

Lokelani Brandt

Join ethnographer Lokelani Brandt and Hawaiʻi CC cultural geographer Renee Pualani Louis for a walk along the storied coastline of Hilo, near Downtown Hilo.

Participants will learn about the mythic significance and chiefly history of the area, along the islandʻs largest bay with its abundant fresh water sources and numerous wahi pana (legendary places).

Participants should be prepared to walk about a mile along the coastline, and for weather conditions that could include sunshine, warmth and rain showers for which Hilo is famous.

This huakaʻi is close to Downtown Hilo and just a couple of miles from campus, and is mellow.

Hale o Lono - Hawaiian Fishponds

Hale o Lono

Join kiaʻi loko (fishpond guardians) of the Edith Kanakaʻole Foundation and UH Hilo geographer Kalani Carlson to learn about and help to restore the ancient Hawaiian fishpond of Hale O Lono located along the Keaukaha coastline of Hilo.  

Our hosts will share about the significance, history and functions of the fishpond and surrounding area and will guide the group in a mālama ʻāina (environmental service) project.

Participants should be prepared to contribute to an environmental service project, and be ready for weather conditions that could include sunshine, warmth and rain showers for which Hilo is famous.

Participants will be invited to participate in or be respectfully observant of basic Hawaiʻi cultural protocols.

This huakaʻi is about 10 minutes from campus.

Landscapes along Saddle Road

Join UH Hilo geographer Jonathan Price for a ride up into the Humuʻula Saddle between the two great mountains of Maunaloa and Mauna a Wākea (Maunakea), with short visits to kīpuka (forested areas surrounded by lava flows).  

Participants will learn about the native plants, unique ecosystems and diverse climatic zones of this vast and powerful area.

Participants should be prepared to take a few short walks, and for weather conditions that could include sunshine, warmth, chilliness, wind and rain.  This huakaʻi ascends from near sea level to approximately 6,000 feet in elevation, where temperatures are considerably cooler.

Participants will be driven about 30 miles each way, with several stops en route.

HuiMau - ʻĀina Stewardship

Join community organization HuiMAU and Hawaiʻi CC geographer Kaylyn Ells-Hoʻokano to learn about and participate in the ongoing restoration of this culturally significant site of Koholālele along the cliffed Hāmākua coastline.  

Our hosts will share about the historical significance of the area and the way it has been recently transformed to restore its traditional agro-forestry abundance, and will guide the group in a mālama ʻāina (environmental service) project.

Participants should be prepared to contribute to an environmental service project.

Participants should prepare for weather conditions that could include sunshine, warmth and rain showers. 

Participants will be invited to participate in or be respectfully observant of basic Hawaiʻi cultural protocols.

Participants will be driven about 40 miles up the Hilopalikū-Hāmākua coast and back. This huakaʻi is relatively mellow.

Kawaiʻula - ʻĀina Stewardship

Join community organization Kawaiʻula, Hawaiʻi CC Hawaiian Studies kumu Noʻeau Woo-OʻBrien and UH Hilo geographer Chris Knudson to learn about this special place on the cliffs of the Puna coastline and the restoration of its Hawaiian place names and cultural sites.  

Kawaiʻula will guide the group in a mālama ʻāina (environmental service) project and other interactive activities.

Participants should be prepared to contribute to a small but important environmental service project.

Participants should prepare for weather conditions that could include sunshine, warmth and rain showers. 

Participants will be invited to participate in or be respectfully observant of basic Hawaiʻi cultural protocols.

Participants will be driven about 25 miles south into Puna and back. This is a mellow huakaʻi.

Ka Lua Pele

Join Hawaiʻi CC geographer Drew Kapp and colleagues at I Ola Hāloa Center for Hawaiʻi Life Styles for a visit to Ka Lua Pele (summit caldera) region of the volcano Kīlauea, with special attention to the Hawaiian cultural significance of the area.  Learn about Pele, Hiʻiaka and other members of that mythic family who shaped these landscapes, about pono (appropriate) ways to interact with place, and celebrate creation, growth and transformation.

Participants should be prepared to take a few short walks, and for weather conditions that could include chilliness, wind, mist, rain showers.  This huakaʻi ascends from near sea level to 4,000 feet in elevation, where temperatures are considerably cooler.  

Participants will be invited to participate in or be respectfully observant of basic Hawaiʻi cultural protocols.

Participants will be driven about 30 miles to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and back.