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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019 Pohaha I Ka Lani Final Report_Waipio Valley Lookout, Hamakua TMK No.: (3) 4-8-004:006 (2)Pohaha I Ka Lani PO Box 412 Kurtistown, HI 96760 Website: pohahaikalani.com Email:oh_q.hgikgIq )-.Mqj .com PONC STEWARDSHIP GRANT 2019 Koa`ekea, Waipi`o Valley Lookout Parcel TMK: 4-8-04:06 Final Report CONTACT PERSON: Kulia Kauhi Tolentino -Potter, President Phone: Mobile (808) 937-4243 Email: poh h ik 1an.(g� fi.coin ,i TO: County of Hawaii Parks & Recreation Department CC: Department of Finance, Property Management Division Introduction: Eo e ka wahine i loko o ka `ohu, `O ka `ohu noho i ke kuahiwi, kualono, Iloko I ihikalani hale kumu `ohu, Pa`ihi kau ao `ole ka lewa lani, I Ka noho a ka wahine kinolau, He kino he lau o Lauka`ie`ie Eia e ka wahine nona ka lei I `uo `ia e Hinaulu'ohi`a, He liko no ka lama i ka nahele, `O ka hala me ka lehua, Ke lawe `ala ka makani i ke ala, Puia i ke `ala kai o Paka`alana Ke `awili `ia me ka lau lipoa He wahine noho lae kahakai, Alualu huaka`i o na pali, Ke lele la ka wai o Kawaikapu, Ke iho la i na pali, E iho e Lauka`ie`ie, e Laukapalai, E Lau`akolea, pili lau i o uka, E iho mai Call out to the woman there in the mist, The mist the rests upon the mountain ridges and peaks, There in Ihikalani, mountain -house that is source of the mist, The sky clears, cloudless, The area where the woman of many body - forms lives, Body form of the leaves of the `ie'iei The woman for whom the lei was made speaks, It was bound together by Hinaulu`ohi`a, With the buds of the lama in the forest, Of the hala and the lehua, The fragrance was carried on the path, The sweet-smelling fragrance can be smelt down by the sea at Paka'alana, It was mixed with the smell of lipoa. There the woman resides on the costal point. Traveling on the cliffs. The waters of Kawaikapu leaps, Descending along the cliffs, Come down, Lauka'ie'ie, Laukapalai, Lau'akolea, companions of the upland Descend 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 care for the area to hosting smaller groups. Our groups mainly ranged from 2 -10 individuals. When groups were larger, we hired a few individuals to help with hosting groups to allow larger groups to be divided into smaller groups. We did our best to ensure all would be safe. Sanitizing of tools, tables, and chairs. Gloves to work in the gardens were purchased and participants were able to keep the gloves that they used. In the past we would wash and reuse the gloves. Meals and snacks offered to volunteers were individually wrapped. With smaller group settings, we still focused on teaching participants what each group asked to learn i.e we are often asked to teach mo`olelo, place names, some halau hula asked us to teach them more history of mele that they are learning. We took 2020 as a time to heavily focus on mele such as the one listed above and teach people the importance of taking care of honua and taking care of themselves. Our ancestors had the `ahupua`a system that provided momona to each section (from ma uka to ma kai). Recognizing that importance of keeping that dance going in whcih we worked with and not against nature. Our mo`olelo, mele and even place names have a lot of lessons to teach us. If we have learned anything in 2020, it is the importance for good health. Good health not only for the people but also for honua. There are so many mea kanu that we have on Hawaii island that prevents the harsh side affects of Covid-19. Taking care of those resources also helped us to take care of our people. We pivoted our programs to also focus on teaching many how to create their own home gardens. Since we have so many types of plants at Koa`ekea, at our parcels in Waipi`o Valley and at our parcel at `Ola`a, Puna, we started donating thousands of huli, `ulu trees, different types of ko, mai`a, `uala, `olena, pumpkins, chaya, laupele etc. When families needed guidance on how to do cover crops, amending soil etc. we provided guidance. When families wanted to learn about la`au lapa`au, we shared with them different mea kanu and taught them how to utilize it. We did workshops on how to make oils, salves, and different healing teas. We donated oils, salves, mamaki ko`oko`olau, uhaloa, maile hohono, `olena to help families with keeping healthy and safe. We began these efforts in March 2020 even though 3 of our grants got canceled due to Covid-19 and two that we applied for notified us that they were not providing funding in 2020. In addition to the donations listed above, even though we were uncertain of our own finances, we still donated food to families each week. We saw the stress many were faced with and since we had so much gardens with food, we wanted to help. We found ourselves needing to volunteer in heavy rains as at times, it rained really often. Sugarcane was harvested from Koa`ekea and we hired someone to juice the sugarcane to give out gallons of sugarcane juice to families. We harvested bunches of bananas and added it to food boxes/bags. Between all our sites, we were able to harvest 50+ baby ulu trees in which we donated to families. Different varieties of bananas were donated to many. Sweet potatoes and sweet potato cuttings were donated as well. Many teachers who would normally bring their students to help us malama Koa`ekea continued to come throughout the entire time. Some teachers were driving in from Kona and Volcano. They too often worked in the rain to ensure the gardens were taken of and we were able to harvest items to donate to families in need. Teachers also helped with delivering food boxes to families in need. The mele listed above reminded us the importance of our connections to one another and to honua as we all depended on one another. When we come together, anything is possible. When funding was received to help us with our efforts, we still donated what we could but was also now being able to support more farmers, ranchers, local businesses all while our contiued efforts to help many. For our programs in 2020, it has given people a chance to reflect on what is important. It has given people a chance to see their potential in helping and realizing that there is hope in taking this situation and turning it into a positive one. With the help of so many, we were able to help LOTS of famlies. Malama `Rina Days Pohaha I Ka Lani volunteer stewardship workdays • Pohaha I Ka Lani members volunteer work to conduct site stewardship work and oversee hired contractors doing site work. o Site stewardship work includes mowing grass, weed whacking, large weed maintenance (Guinea grass & white shrimp plant bladed), weeding of garden & cleared areas, pick-up trash, and miscellaneous tree work. o Contractor oversight includes on-site coordination of contractor work for accurate & safe completion. • 1,400 hours plus of estimated Pohaha I Ka Lani volunteer hours for coordination, planning, site work, and group hosting. o Pohaha I Ka Lani volunteer hours included: ■ Maintain or repair maintenance equipment ■ Acquire supplies to maintain property ■ Assure safety of acquired equipment and supplies ■ Maintain or repair maintenance equipment ■ Acquire supplies to maintain property ■ Assure safety of acquired equipment and supplies ■ Inventory and assess current native plants ■ Plant propagated plants based on Revegetation Plan ■ Assess and inventory invasive species remaining on property. ■ Sponsor regular community workdays to reduce invasive species ■ Communicate with organizations, volunteers and coordinate work days. ■ Implement Educational Plan including ongoing classes, workshops and weekend hostings. ■ Plan and coordinate gatherings and events. ■ Advertise gathering and events via social media ■ Host gatherings and events. ■ Coordinate and oversee independent contractors work on site. ■ Sanitize tools, tables, and chairs. ■ Provide containers of water and soap to offer for washing hands ■ Develop safety protocols and implement to ensure safety for all Item Amount mount Expended Amount Budgeted Remaining Repair & Maintenance $2,500 $2,500 $0.00 Small Tools $1,500 $1,500.00 $0.00 Independent Contractor Services $16,500 $15,553.92 $946.08 Signage $1,000 $0 $1,000 Food $3,000 $2,866.49 $133.51 Honorarium $1,800 $2,250.00 ($450.00) Supplies $2,500 $4,129.59 ($1,629.59) Indirect Costs (10%) $3,200 $3,200.00 $0.00 Total $32,000.00 $32,000.00 $0.00 Budget Description Summary of Expenses by Budget Categories per Proposal: • Repair & Maintenance Services — parts & services for repair & maintenance of stewardship equipment, including trailer, chainsaw, trimmer, and mower repairs. • Small Tools o Small Hand Tools: 0 Various Landscaping Hand Tools: Machetes, Rakes, Picks, Pull saws, N Lel Waterholes and nozzle. • Independent Contractor Services o Site Work o Tree Services — felling, pruning, and chipping o Stump Grinding of Bamboo & larger trees o Site Maintenance — weed whacking and garden maintenance. • Food — food and refreshments for volunteers during stewardship and educational workshops. • Honorarium — gifts for donated In -Kind services, workshop hosts, and regular volunteers. • Supplies o Personal Protection Equipment: Gloves, Safety Glasses, Ear Plugs/Muffs, Chainsaw Chaps, helmet, face masks o Misc. Supplies — ■ Misc. Power Equipment Supplies: Chainsaw bars & chains, gas can, 2 - cycle engine oil, trimmer line, tree felling supplies, etc. ■ Paper goods & other food supplies - for group hostings and educational workshops, including plates, napkins, forks, spoons, cups, plastic bags, aluminum foil, etc. ■ Printing & Copying, Office supplies, etc. ■ Sanitizing supplies o Fuel ■ Fuel, Vehicle: Travel to and from site by Pohdhd I Ka Lani staff for: community, educational group, and organizational workdays; and site surveying & planning. ■ Fuel, Power Equipment: gasoline for mowers, chainsaws, weedeaters, and generator. o Plants: Native & beneficial plants: `ohi`a, mamaki, uhaloa, ko`oko`olau. • Indirect Costs o Liability Insurance o Accounting Services o Office Expenses o Website Fees o Office Utilities Vehicle Expenses & Fees Bank Fees Pohaha I Ka Lani hereby submits the above report as a true reporting of the progress and accountine of the awarded PONC Stewardship Grant. Name of Authorized Official: Kulia Kauhi Tolentino -Potter Title of Authorized Official: President, Pohaha I Ka Lani Signature: X��4 �� Date: March 14, 2021 Malama `Rina Days e Carroll University students worked with us for three days. They came to learn about Waipi'o Valley, they were taught how to dance the song Hi'ilawe, they learned about the native plants (uses, especially la`au lapa`au). In exchanged, they helped tend to the `aina. Carroll University students helped to weed the front gardens. HCC students helped to weed out the kalo garden. Hilo and Puna residents helped to tend to the section where vetiver is planted. Vetiver is planted on this hill to help protect against erosion in addition to cleaning the soil. A few abandoned vehicles were removed from this area prior to planting the vetiver. Lots of gardens to maintain. Groups were kept small. With this particular group, we focused on weeding the gardens. Participants traveled in from Pahoa, Kea`au, Hilo and Volcano. The back portion of the property. We hired Hamakua Land Management and Canopy Care to help us with this area. Lots of chipping done by Canopy Care. Doing our best to upkeep this area. Within a month, the gardens with taro was in need of weeding. HPA students helped us with this section. PC: Andrew Hara Only 5 in this group but we worked a full day to weed the front gardens. Participants traveled in from Volcano, Kona, Hilo and Puna. PC: Andrew Hara Picture featuring the lower section of the property. Lots of varieties of sugarcane and bananas. PC: Andrew Hara Picture showing the entire property. All the gardens that we planted are visible. PC: Andrew Hara Closer view of the gardens on the property. This area was filled with invasive grasses and poisoned often by the County. We cleaned up the area and planted beneficial plants to clean the soil and to provide nutrients. We planted a load of native, endemic and sweet smelling and/or beautiful plants. During January and February 2020, we welcomed and work with large groups of students from colleges, high school and community groups. HPA Students helped with the tending to the gardens. We heavily taught participants how to make their own medicines with items that can be found in the gardens. One of our youngest helpers. Her baby shower was held here and all who showed up instead of bringing presents, people came and volunteered their time so this baby's mom could get a break from volunteering her time to weed gardens in the area. Did our best to plant maile. At times we would find the maile on the property pulled out of the ground. We are not sure if people didn't know how to gather maile? When maile was found out of the ground, we replanted it. Some did regrow while others didn't grow back after being pulled out. Above: An example of how we did our group photos while social distancing. Both pictures: Teachers who drove in from Kona to come and volunteer their time to tend to the gardens. Teachers from Pa'auilo Elem School often volunteered to tend to the gardens. Teachers continued to help us with taking care of the gardens. m m An example of on ofthe workshops we oto e red for Lidfridkua Harvest at Koa'ekea. M Examples of food bags we donated to families. Ho'io, `Uala Poni, `Uala Mele, Green Onion, Papaya, Ginger, Eggplant and Beef Jerky Delivered M Koa`ekea site after we cut the grass. This location is in need of much love as pigs have been making their way into the gardens. 91 This picture features the hapai variety of banana. Hapai (pregnant) as the bunch of bananas won't hang like most bunches, you will notice the tree will begin to get bigger in one area and out will come out a baby bunch of bananas. M This location is by the stairs at Koa`ekea. Although this area looked like it was with lots of weeds, volunteers got to learn about the different uses of these plants. For example they got to learn about laukahi and maile hohono. These volunteers helped us weed the stairs and the surrounding areas. OR On this day, volunteers worked to clear out the hillside. Different varieties of sugarcane was harvested and made into cuttings to be donated to families. Lei One of the awesome things we can do at Koa`ekea is send volunteers home with produce that we harvested from the area. Mo`olelo and Malama `Aina wiith Putney Student Travel @ Koa`ekea, Hawaii County PONC Parcel EN After sharing mo`olelo and place names for Waipi`o Valley and surrounding areas, students who are visiting Hawaii give much love to Koa`ekea, They helped reset weed mats to help break down the weeds that were growing in gardens, They dug up large clumps of grass and weeded areas. Doing our best to upkeep but with less groups and group sizes being much smaller, areas have been getting overgrown. We are hopeful that one day Koa` ekea will have a couple full-time workers to maintain the area. Em M Weed mats were placed again over this area. The area on the outside of the fence is along the County road. M Just to weed out the hill side, it takes so much groups to help maintain the area. The pigs have eaten most of the crops that were growing in this area. W.