Ma ka hana ka ʻike
2022-2023 Annual report
A look back on our collective accomplishments and a moment to reflect
“E ala! E alu! E kuilima!”
Up! Together! Join hands! A call to come together to tackle a given task (258, Pukui)
A MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
In the wauke (the paper mulberry plant) that is beaten into kapa (traditional cloth), there is change. In the kiawe tree that is cut, milled into slabs, and bolted together into benches, there is evolution. In the seed that is planted, nurtured, and harvested, there is transformation. As Ma Ka Hana Ka ʻIke turns the corner into our 24th year of service to our Hāna community, we reflect on the change, evolution, and transformation we’ve experienced in just one year.
In May, we began to work with ʻohana in Wailua Nui to transition away from the loʻi restoration efforts we had partnered on since 2015. Mahalo nui Uncle Ed, Aunty Mahealani, Ryan Wendt, Uncle Kyle Nakanelua, and your respective ʻohana for welcoming, guiding, mentoring, advising, and sharing with us your kuleana, ʻike, and steadfast aloha ʻāina. Mahalo Nā Moku ʻAupuni o Koʻolau Hui and the many other mahi ʻai kalo (ancestral taro farmers) of the region who also guided us and shared your time, knowledge, and resources with our team over the years. While our third core program, Mālama Hāloa, will transform, we are that much more prepared to take on this evolution because of all of you and the experiences we’ve shared.
Our people are accustomed to evolving. In fact, I might argue, we thrive in it. And because of that, Ma Ka Hana Ka ʻIke will, too. As we invest more in the transformation of our programs to uplift our growing generation of ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language) speakers and continue to expand into culinary through Kahu ʻAi Pono, we transform to meet the needs of our community, near and far.
Mahalo nui loa no nā mea ʻāpau!
Lipoa Kahaleuahi
Image of Lipoa during 2023 Young Wāhine Kai Camp; Photographer Shandelle Nakanelua
who we are
Ma Ka Hana Ka ‘Ike means “learning by doing” and that’s our mission here: to harness Hawaiian ancestral knowledge about how to feed, house, and live in our rural community.
Watch our new short video highlighting program leads, teachers, apprentices, students, and our community and place-based work throughout the years.
“I like the aspect of relationship building that Ma Ka Hana Ka ʻIke engages participants in. Deeper connections are made to ʻāina, each other, our culture, and more.”
- Hāna Community Member
Hāna Build
Established in 2000, this is the foundational program of Ma Ka Hana Ka ‘Ike. Hāna Build began as the woodshop class at Hāna School and has since evolved to include after school and intersession employment and post-high graduate apprenticeships where hands-on learning and real-world experience empower participants to be self-sufficient and community-minded.
building program accomplishments in 2022-2023:
13,122 Engagement Hours
·
38 Participants
·
12 Major Construction Projects
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1 Kupuna Home Built
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20 Smaller Construction Projects
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13,122 Engagement Hours · 38 Participants · 12 Major Construction Projects · 1 Kupuna Home Built · 20 Smaller Construction Projects ·
“through building and construction, i am getting prepared for future jobs and projects.”
- Hāna Graduate Apprentice
mahele farm
Established in 2010, Mahele Farm is a pillar community farm distributing 100% of the produce back to East Maui community members free of charge. At the fully-operational organic farm, students and graduates are trained as the upcoming generation of food sovereignty champions.
mahele farm accomplishments in 2022-2023:
6,494 Engagement Hours
·
27,952 Pounds of Produce Harvested
·
186 Participants
·
60 Community Workdays
·
5 Field Trips with Students
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6,494 Engagement Hours · 27,952 Pounds of Produce Harvested · 186 Participants · 60 Community Workdays · 5 Field Trips with Students ·
“the practice of Farm to table means a lot to me because this is really how our ancestors lived.”
- Hāna Middle School Student
Mālama hāloa
Established in 2015, Mālama Hāloa is crucial in the East Maui-wide efforts to reconnect youth and their ‘ohana with traditional Native Hawaiian foods and the cultural practices surrounding them. Through the guidance of kūpuna, students of all ages and their ‘ohana participate in restoring food systems of Hawai‘i, feeding our East Maui communities, and normalizing significant practices like ku‘i ‘ai, kapa making, and Makahiki.
mālama hāloa accomplishments in 2022-2023:
7,182 Engagement Hours
·
8,675 Pounds of Kalo Harvested
·
259 Participants
·
152 Kūpuna Served
·
31 Kuʻi Kalo Sessions at Hāna School
·
7,182 Engagement Hours · 8,675 Pounds of Kalo Harvested · 259 Participants · 152 Kūpuna Served · 31 Kuʻi Kalo Sessions at Hāna School ·
“Keiki who might not have the opportunity to farm kalo or participate in makahiki season now have the chance to learn more about their culture.”
- Hāna Graduate Apprentice
kahu ‘ai pono
Established in 2022, Kahu ‘Ai Pono is the brand-new and refined culinary arts pathway at Hāna School, where both middle and high school students are enrolled in classes to learn how to safely grow, harvest, and prepare nutritious snacks and meals for themselves, their peers and ‘ohana, and fellow community members from keiki to kūpuna.
A few photos above were captured by Shandelle Nakanelua
kahu ‘ai pono accomplishments in 2022-2023:
14,011 Engagement Hours
·
2,912 Snacks Served to Students
·
171 Participants
·
564 Meals, Snacks, and Drinks Served to Kūpuna
·
554 Pounds of Produce Harvested on Campus
·
14,011 Engagement Hours · 2,912 Snacks Served to Students · 171 Participants · 564 Meals, Snacks, and Drinks Served to Kūpuna · 554 Pounds of Produce Harvested on Campus ·
“This program helped me to sharpen, refresh, and practice my skills in agriculture. The mentors were nice and encouraging to everyone, and now i feel like I am more grounded in my roots and will be able to share my knowledge with future keiki.”
- Hāna High School Student
Integrated initiatives & Activities
‘AHA MAKAHIKI
Through foundational partnerships with East Maui community-based organizations like Ala Kukui, Kahanu Garden, and Hōlani Hāna, as well as Hāna School, Ma Ka Hana Ka ʻIke helps to bring to life Makahiki festivities each year.
Students, community members and groups, and our cherished kūpuna all come together to usher in Makahiki season through ceremony, food, and traditional Makahiki games.
WĀHINE KAI CAMP
The 5th annual Wāhine Kai Camp created a safe space for place-based and cultural education grounded in the ocean.
Campers in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade participated in activities like paddling canoe, surfing, fishing on boats, and surveying coastal sea life.
Year after year, Wāhine Kai Camp helps to strengthen relationships, empower younger generations, and open dialogue around coming-of-age.
‘ŌLELO HAWAI‘I
In 2022, Ma Ka Hana Ka ‘Ike hired an ‘ōlelo Hawai‘i coordinator to continue guiding our staff and students along the journey of grounding in and learning the language of our home and ancestors.
Each of our program teams participate in ‘ōlelo Hawai‘i classes specific to their program areas, and in collaboration with Kula Kaiapuni o Hāna we offer student activities like ku‘i ‘ai and garden sessions in ‘ōlelo Hawai‘i.
Beginning in August of 2023, our ‘ōlelo Hawai‘i coordinator also teaches the high school language class at Hāna School.
MĀLAMA I NĀ HULU KŪPUNA
Since 2019, our Mālama I Nā Hulu Kūpuna initiative has prioritized caring for cherished kūpuna of East Maui—providing fresh, nutritious foods, creating space to strengthen relationships between generations, hosting engaging activities, and more.
In 2023 we held our first Hāpai Kūpuna (meaning to uplift and carry kūpuna) event centered on enrolling East Maui kūpuna in relevant programs, highlighting other community organizations that prioritize the health and wellbeing of our elders, and offering services and items completely free of charge—like raffle giveaways, food, and massages.
Makahiki and Wāhine Kai Camp photos captured by Shandelle Nakanelua
“Ma Ka Hana Ka ‘Ike helps to build young adults who are able to serve our community and be contributing members of society.”
- Hāna Community Member
ma ka hana ka ʻIke in the news
Pōmaikaʻi mākou no ko mākou kaiāulu. Mahalo nui iā ʻoukou!
“ʻIke aku, ʻike mai // Kōkua aku, kōkua mai // Pēlā ihola ka nohona ʻohana”
Recognize and be recognized, help and be helped, such is family life
Family life requires an exchange of mutual help and recognition (1200, Pukui)
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