More than 300 students, faculty, staff and community partners gathered at Honolulu Community College in April for the annual Hoʻolauleʻa celebration, held at Hale Kawelohea and the campus courtyard.
The event honors Ka Māla o Niuhelewai—the campus māla kalo (taro patch) and cultural learning space—while celebrating Hawaiian traditions, sustainability and mālama ʻāina (caring for the land). More than 100 volunteers and facilitators helped organize and lead the day’s events.
“The Māla has served the campus community with partnerships in many programs on campus,” said Professor Alapaki Luke, caretaker of the Ka Māla o Niuhelewai. “Every April, Hoʻolauleʻa is a time of celebration of mālama ʻāina and honoring the kūpuna (elders) and moʻolelo (stories) of Niuhelewai that has nourished the Kapālama ahupuaʻa (land division) with kalo and fish that once was cultivated in the wetlands and nearshore loko iʻa (fishponds).”
Fulfilling kuleana
Participants explored cultural and sustainability-focused activities, educational resource booths, and live entertainment throughout the day. The annual Trash to Treasure contest also returned, showcasing creative projects made from recycled and repurposed materials. Music filled the courtyard throughout the celebration, featuring performances by Honolulu CC’s MELE students, faculty and staff.
The celebration concluded with a Hawaiian lunch plate featuring food prepared for attendees. More than 360 meals were served.
Luke said the Māla is a living venue to practice the objective of the University of Hawaiʻi Strategic Plan’s imperative to fulfill kuleana (responsibility) to Native Hawaiians and Hawaiʻi. He also expressed gratitude to the campus and broader community for supporting Ka Māla o Niuhelewai since its inception in 2011.
“This celebration was made possible by Honolulu CC‘s Hawaiian Council Kupu Ka Wai, the Hulili Ke Kukui Hawaiian Center, Ka Ipu Hoʻokele program, Ola Niuhelewai program, community partners, and our campus departments. Mahalo nui me ka haʻahaʻa (thank you with humility),” Luke said.
