Tech Together & ‘Ike Ea take part in Huaka‘i O Hakipu‘u August 12, 2009

The Tech Together and ‘Ike Ea programs took part in the first Huaka‘i O Hakipu‘u hands-on cultural workshop on Friday, August 7, 2009, at Hakipu‘u on the eastside of Oahu. This all day project-based workshop was led by Nakoa Prejean, Chad Durkin, and Ulu Fukumitsu, in collaboration with Iokepa DeSantos.

Staff members enjoyed taking part in cleaning a traditional taro lo‘i and learning the cultural significance of a Hawaiian sailing canoe. In addition, we learned about the impact a traditional Hawaiian fishpond has in society – from construction to maintenance of the fishpond and the reason it was an important resource for early Hawaiians.

Staff members felt very fortunate to take part in this project. We would like to extend a special mahalo to Nakoa and Terry Galpin, his wife, who opened their home for us to enjoy their little piece of paradise. Mahalo to Ulu for sharing his expertise with the lo‘i and fishpond, mahalo to Chad for his mana‘o on the Wa‘a and the fishpond, and mahalo to Iokepa for setting-up this workshop.