2019 Pohaha I Ka Lani Final Report_Waipio Valley Lookout, Hamakua TMK No.: (3) 4-8-004:006 (2)

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Koa`ekea, the name of the area where the Hawaii County PONC parcel is located at Waipi`o Valley Lookout area. From our understanding, the land section is called Koa`ekea for a couple reasons. We were told that from that particular location, our kupuna would sit and watch the Koa`ekea bird (ka pali lele Koa`e, the cliffs where the Koa`e birds would fly). The land section of Koa`ekea stretches along the cliff side that makes its way into the valley. When the land section of Koa`ekea ends, Kaholokuaiwa begins. While working at Koa`ekea, we would noticed that we would often see the Koa`ekea bird in addition to seeing the iwa bird (Ka holo kua iwa). There is a mo`olelo that speak of Koa`ekea and his wife, Kaholokuaiwa, they were descendants from chiefly and godly lines. Together, they had a daughter named Lauka`ie`ie. When Lauka`ie`ie was born, she was born as an `e`epa. The goddess Hinaulu`ohi`a raised Lauka`ie`ie in the uplands above Hi`ilawe Waterfalls where the waterfalls Kawaikapu was located. Lauka'ie'ie was then raaised by her aunty and uncle. Koa`ekea and Kaholokuaiwa had two other children who were sons, Hi`ilawe and Makanikeoe. The mele above, is said to have been a mele that Makanikeoe chanted to his sister Lauka`ie`ie. The mele shows the depth of the relationship kanaka shares with its surrounding. Acknowledging the many forms and names for mists, recognizing the different fragrances and realizing that we are all connected. What we do to honua will greatly impact us. Summary of 2019`s Stewardship (taken place in 2020) 2020 was a year filled with much changes due to Covid-19. We did our best to keep up with the gardens at Koa`ekea. Group hostings were put on hold during the time period that we were notified that the PONC Parcels were closed. During this time, our family did our best to weed gardens and upkeep with keeping the area clean. It was a bit difficult as we would normally receive large groups of volunteers to help upkeep the gardens so with only a few of us, it would take us an entire day to weed a section. We were also always concerned about the health risks we were constantly being put in as Waipi`o Valley was still being visited by tourists and many locals. Most not wearing masks and coming within a few feet to our family members. When Waipi`o Valley lookout parking lot area was closed, many people parked along the bamboo fence at Koa`ekea and large groups would hang out in that area. Piles of human waste would be found in random areas since the lookout parking lot area was blocked off. We refuse to hand weed in those areas as we didn't want to put our family or friends at risk. With this, areas become overgrown. Due to all the changes going on, our programs have shifted from hosting large groups to