WAIMEA COMMUNITY INVITED TO LEARN THE SIGNIFICANCE OF ‘PLACE NAMES’ AT NEXT ‘DISCOVER YOUR KULEANA’ GATHERING SUN., JAN. 14, 2024 AT ANNA RANCH

“You can’t know where you’re going without knowing where you came from.  This is one of the reasons ‘place names’ will be the focus of our next Discover Your Kuleana gathering with guest presenter Pomai Bertelmann from 3-5 p.m., Sun., Jan. 14, 2024 at Anna Ranch,” said Waimea resident and Discover Your Kuleana hui volunteer Max Aiona. 

“It took centuries for a place to get its name – it tells a story.  It’s important to repeat these names and stories because they are about what happened here – they connect us to the land and people of earlier times,” said Aiona. 

“We mahalo Pomai Bertelmann for suggesting the focus on place names after attending the first Discover Your Kuleana gathering in October with Danny and Anna Akaka talking about “What Is Kuleana?,” said Aiona.

“Pomai is a respected Waimea educator and a long time leader of the Na Kalai Wa’a wayfinding community.  She captained the Hokule’a for the final leg of its Malama Honua worldwide voyage – bringing the double hulled canoe home to Hawai’i.  She will speak about navigating our kuleana through place names,” said Aiona.

“Discover Your Kuleana was started by a group of friends to deepen the connection of residents, new and long time, to Waimea. Through events, resources, experiences that build cultural competence, and volunteer opportunities, we help develop new, deeper relationships and provide resources to strengthen community connections and involvement,” said Vivienne Aronowitz, also of Waimea and a project volunteer.      

The entire community is invited – it’s free and no RSVP required.  The program will begin with  sharing of an oli (chant) and include hearing from two Waimea non-profits that welcome volunteers to support  their programming. Spotlighted volunteer organizations will include West Hawai’i Mediation Center and Tutu’s House. 

Keiki activities and light snacks will be provided. 

Discover Your Kuleana gatherings started in fall of 2023 as the result of numerous community conversations in Waimea hosted by Hawaiʻi Community Foundation on behalf of the Richard Smart Fund.  The project works in partnership with Friends of the Future (FOF) as its fiscal sponsor and is supported by hui volunteers, Kate Bell and Canada-France-Hawai’i Telescope. 

For more information including a list of recommended Waimea organizations welcoming volunteers, go to www.fofhawaii.org/discover-your-kuleana/ or www.Facebook.com/discover-your-kuleana.