SCHEDULE:
Schedule Subject to change
Friday 2/13: Welcome potluck dinner: Līhuʻe
Saturday 2/14: Niumalu Beach Park: Introductions, orientation, protocol education and hoʻokupu (offerings)
Sunday 2/15: Haleleʻa: Educational site visits. The district of Haleleʻa, located on the north shore of Kauaʻi and including the Hanalei Valley, is a region of immense cultural significance known for its rich agricultural history and traditional Hawaiian sites.
Monday 2/16: Hanapēpē Salt Beds: Educational site visit. The Hanapepe salt beds are an ancient Hawaiian salt-making site where families have harvested paʻakai (salt) for over a thousand years. The process involves collecting seawater in shallow clay ponds to let it evaporate and crystallize, and the resulting salt is used for food, ceremony, and medicine. This traditional and culturally significant practice is passed down through generations and the salt is a sacred item that can be traded or given away, but never sold.
Kōkeʻe State Park: Educational site visit, proper gathering practices and lei making activity
Kōkeʻe State Park is a remote, high-elevation park known for its diverse forests and stunning views of Waimea Canyon and the Kalalau Valley.
Tuesday 2/17: Alakoko Fishpond: Educational site visit and land stewardship project. Alakoko Fishpond is an ancient Hawaiian fishpond, estimated to be 600 years old, features a remarkable half-mile long stone wall or Kuapā. Managed by the nonprofit organization Mālama Hulēʻia, the pond is currently the focus of intensive restoration efforts to remove invasive red mangroves, preserve native ecosystems, and restore the site's cultural and environmental vitality for the community and native wildlife.
Mālama Hulēʻia: Their mission is to educate and lead community efforts to remove invasive mangrove along the Hulē‘ia river, re-establish native wetland ecosystems, manage Alakoko Fishpond, and engage the community through environmental stewardship programs that honor Hawaiian culture and values.
Wednesday 2/18: Kauaʻi Museum: Educational site visit and guided tour. The mission of the Kaua'i Museum is to preserve and celebrate the rich heritage of Kaua'i and its people through engaging exhibits, educational programs, and community outreach. They strive to foster cultural understanding, inspire curiosity, and promote the importance of preserving the island's unique history for future generations.
Wailua: Educational site visits. Wailua is rich in cultural sites, most notably the Wailua Complex of Heiaus, a National Historic Landmark featuring ancient temples, the royal birthing stone, and petroglyphs. This area was once a political, religious, and economic center for ancient Hawaiian royalty.
Thursday 2/19:
Edible Tales Performance: Hōʻike prep, rehearsals and culminating event at the Performing Arts Center at Kauaʻi Community College
Edible Tales is a multimedia dance installation exploring cultural heritage, social justice and sustainability. Through a community-centered creative process, we co-create with our audiences and community members and transform food stories into impactful and authentic moveMEANT narratives - on stage, outdoors, and on films.
Friday 2/20: Kīlauea Point. Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, a historic and scenic location at the island's northernmost point known for its dramatic cliffs, ocean views, and abundant seabirds. It features the historic Kīlauea Lighthouse which was built in 1913, and serves as a sanctuary for wildlife like the Laysan albatross, red-footed booby, and great frigatebird.
Anini Beach. Anini Beach is a scenic, tranquil beach on Kauai's North Shore known for its calm, shallow waters protected by Hawaii's longest and widest fringing reef.
Saturday 2/21: Anahola: Educational site visit and hula workshop w/guest Kumu Hula Anahola, Kauaʻi, is a community with deep cultural roots, originally part of a traditional Hawaiian land division (ahupuaʻa) system. It is a sacred and historic area, with significant sites like the Kalalea mountains.
Sunday 2/22: Lāwaʻi International Center: Educational site visit and guided tour. The mission of Lāwaʻi International Center is to preserve and nurture the land and its cultural heritage, as a place of compassion and Aloha, by dedicated volunteers welcoming all who come to experience its essence