Akua, 'Āina, Kanaka …
Spirit, Land, Man …
Past, Present, Future

By Kaiwi Nui and Gail Chew

The concept of the piko 'ekolu gives us simple and obvious direction in our daily lives, reminding us of the proper place and balance of the many parts to a whole.

For centuries, the Native Hawaiian realized the hierarchy and priority of these “piko,” which corresponded to three areas of the body: the head (piko po'o), the navel (piko waena), and the groin (piko ma'i). The order starts with the past, manifests itself in the present and realizes itself in the future. The proper balance of each piko is seated in the piko waena, the middle and convergent point between past and future.

Waimea Valley positions itself at this juncture, operating between both the past and the future. The piko 'ekolu gives us clear direction for the successful advancement of Waimea Valley.

Kanaka have the choice to serve as stewards to 'āina in efforts to acknowledge, celebrate and give thanks to akua. Most times, we choose to confuse the order of piko 'ekolu, placing our own needs before that of 'āina and akua.

Contrary to popular thoughts on direction, we must reach into our visible past and rely on 'aumakua and akua to guide our yet unseen future. This is an exciting time for Waimea Valley as we ho'i hou, return again, to models of land management that have well served Akua, 'Āina and Kanaka for centuries in the successful and harmonious balance of all parts to the whole.

Hale o Lono Heiau in Waimea Valley. - Photo: Blaine Fergerstrom

To this end, when Hi'ipaka LLC assumed management of Waimea Valley on Feb. 1, 2008, the vision was to assure that balance and harmony in management, planning and operations.

As an example, Hale o Lono Heiau is a significant cultural icon to the valley. The beginning of the restoration of Hale O Lono, the return of Hawaiian protocols to the valley for the first time in many years, and the naming of a Kahu for Hale O Lono mark the beginning of a “new day.”

To come, there will be ongoing activity and establishment of programs for visitors to encourage a greater understanding of and respect for Hawaiian values, culture and traditions.

We will celebrate Hawaiian artisans and practitioners who will be on the grounds to share their knowledge and experiences.

Visitors will also be able to browse and purchase products from the Kū'ono Waiwai.

We will also be looking at Waimea Valley's extensive botanical collection with a Hawaiian perspective, helping to educate the public about the significance of and describing how Hawaiians used these plants.

Plans also call for the designing and placement of interpretive signage and other education vehicles that describe the ahupua'a of Waimea Valley. We will also be clearing and identifying kīpuka and areas that are kapu.

One of the highest priorities of the Hi'ipaka Managers is to ensure health and safety for visitors to the valley and to establish a business model of standards, procedures and accountability.

Repairs and maintenance that had been deferred in the past are now ongoing with work commencing on areas accessible to the public. Signs that warn of safety risks and hazards that had been removed are being replaced.

Everyone associated with the management of Waimea Valley will continue to respect the past, take the best of the present in order to perpetuate a culture and way of life into the future: Akua, 'Āina, Kanaka … Spirit, Land, Man … Past, Present, Future.

Kaiwi Nui is OHA's O'ahu Conservation Land Manager and
Gail Chew is the interim executive director of Waimea Valley.