Depending on the size and age of huakaʻi participants and paying attention to external factors such as weather, a typical visit to Mauliola Keʻehi includes the following:

 

Wehena Hikina: The huakaʻi begins with hoʻolauna (introductions) as well as an introduction to the science and practice of mauliola. For many students it is an awakening to new ideas.

 

Moʻolelo: The huakaʻi continues with an in-depth history of Keʻehi and the Kona moku, including traditional moʻolelo of the area. This helps students connect with their ancestors and Hawaiian culture, giving them the tools to kilo or observe deeply through a kūpuna lens.

 

Mauliola: Before going out on the waʻa (canoe) we lead participants through culturally grounded activities that work as tools for wellbeing and self-regulation and lead haumāna to greater self-awareness. These include oli (chant), Kilo Kino (observation of ‘internal weather’), Kilo Hanu (observation of breath) pikai kai (salt water cleanse), and ka noʻonoʻo ʻana (mindfulness/meditation therapy).

 

Hoe Waʻa: Hoe waʻa (canoe paddling) is a key part of the huakaʻi that actively connects students to ancestral practice and culture. Padding to the island teaches students the extent of their physical capabilities as well as the power of teamwork.

 

Historic Fishing Villages: Students learn the rich moʻolelo and history of the sacred tidal islands of Kahakaʻaulana, Mokuʻoʻeo, and Mokauea, once home to our Aliʻi. Students learn the Hawaiian names for the moku and learn about the historical destruction of the fishponds, fisheries, salt beds and reef through dredging and other recent human interactions.

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Tidal Island and Reef Exploration: Students visit the tidal islands, explore the reef, identify native animals and limu (seaweed), and gain an increased sense of kuleana through participating in aloha ʻāina activities such as invasive species removal, native plant restoration, marine debris removal, and fishpond maintenance.

 

Wehena Awakea: We close each huakaʻi with time for participants to reflect on their feelings, to listen to others, and to understand how the experience might have affected their wellbeing. We record these sessions, transcribe them, and our team performs qualitative analysis of results in order to measure the impact of our program. Please visit our assessment page to learn more.