KĒHAULANI
KUPIHEA
Mauliola Ke‘ehi's Executive Director Kēhaulani Kupihea grew up fishing with her father and his parents, her grandparents, in the rich ocean waters of Ke‘ehi. Her genealogy ties her to this sacred place, and an ancestral calling led her to commit to steward and perpetuate Ke‘ehi, its people, places, practices, culture and history.
With a background in archaeology, research and Hawaiian cultural education, and a passion for ocean awareness Kēhaulani began sharing the rich moʻolelo about Keʻehi 20 years ago, taking groups over to Mokauea Island to learn and experience all that Ke‘ehi has to offer.
To date, thousands of school groups, community members, and other volunteers have made the transformative journey to experience the "healing waters of Ke‘ehi" in the heart of Honolulu.
The legacy of this sacred place continues through Kēhaulani's family, both her and her husband Kupihea have deep genealogical ties to this area. Kupiheaʻs tūtū Catherine Mahina Hōkū o Malamalama Kupihea Wilson was born in 1925 and raised on the papa of Keʻehi on the tidal island of Kahakaʻaulana in the Mokauea fishery.
Their son, Kā‘ei ‘ula ‘o Ahukini a La‘a is growing up steeped in the stories and practices of his ancestors.
MAULIOLA KE‘EHI
Established in 2019, Mauliola Ke‘ehi builds on the legacy of the traditional families of Ke‘ehi including the Kupihea ʻohana.
With the kuleana to steward the legacy of Ke‘ehi and Mauliola ( Sand Island), Mauliola Ke‘ehi promotes the healing of people and place through intentional, facilitated huakaʻi to "the healing waters Ke‘ehi".
Over the past 15 years, the program's work has grown to encompass more than just Mokauea island, it is our kuleana to mālama all five islands of Ke‘ehi including Kahakaʻaulana, Mokuoʻeo, Mokauea and Mauliola. Our Kahua (foundation) is set in the aspects of Hawaiian cultural education and STEAM that expand across Hawai‘i.
Come experience the healing waters of Ke‘ehi for yourself and travel back in time to ka wā kahiko (the days of old) as you traverse the blue waters by canoe, encounter sea life on the reef and learn the history of these storied and resonant places. Give back to this ʻāina (land & sea) we call home while helping to clear invasives, remove marine debris and learn our mo‘olelo and the science of the sea. Let's not forget Kilo Kino connecting to your inner self by focusing on your Hanu (breath) The kai (ocean) is our kupuna medicine!! E ola!
OUR PARTNERS
After Oceanic
Consuelo Foundation
Honolulu Community College
Islander Institute
JP Levinson Consulting
Kamehameha Schools
Keahiakahoe Canoe Club
Kōkua Kalihi Valley Comprehensive Family Services
Kua ‘Āina Ulu ‘Auamo
Kuwahara ‘Ohana
Liliʻuokalani Trust
Mauliola Canoe Club
Marine Education Training Center
Mālama Learning Center
New Hope Canoe Club
Nohopapa & Huliaupaʻa
Paʻi Foundation
Polynesian Voyaging Society
Queens Health Care System
University of Hawai‘i Mānoa, & West O‘ahu
...and our many volunteers!