HĀLAU ʻŌHIʻA: Hawaiʻi Ecological Kinship Training

Deepen connection & relationship with Honua-earth through the ancestral wisdom of Hawaiʻi life ways.

^{_{"...miraculously, all of you suddenly showed up via Zoom in early 2021 (at a time when I'm sure you were all so tired of spending so much time there), and kept showing up time after time. I couldn't believe the enthusiasm and your generosity, let alone your depth of knowledge and creativity! After over a year of uncertainty about the project, you all (Hālau ʻŌhiʻa) made it feel like it was possible, like a plant finally sprouting from a long dormant seed, if you will. I just can't overemphasize this point: there wouldn't be a Symphony of the Hawai‘i Forests without all of you; without the ka‘ao, there would be no next steps with the animations, the music, and the planning of the concert. So I'm forever grateful to all of you for your dedication to come up with the ka‘ao, and trusting that this symphony would eventually be put on despite so much uncertainty back when we met in 2021.}}

^{_{I'm glad some of you were able to see the fruits of your labor and see the ka‘ao brought to life, and for the rest of you, I can't wait until you get to see it in the near future..."}}

^{Takuma Itoh}

^{Professor of Music Composition & Theory}

^{University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa}

Elements of Hawaiʻi Lifeways Training

Hawaiʻi lifeways, sometimes expressed as Hawaiian culture, teaches us that the landscape, sky, and the ocean are our family! By learning a little more about the Hawaiʻi lifeways, language, ritual, music, hula, poetry, chant, wahi pana (or pulsing places), the arts and many other aspects--we learn more about how to express aloha for the potential of our island homes in Hawaiʻi and beyond Hawaiʻi... and for ourselves.

Kuahu (microcosm)

Kuahu initiates deepening connection to our natural world through the recognition and ritualization of the traits, behaviors and functions of our plant people.

Mele (poetic text) & Oli (chant vibration)

Mele are the written text that capture imagery of our environmental processes, and Oli is the practice through which we align to the energetics of those processes through sound.

Hei (ritual motifs)

Ritual string figures accompanied by oli, require careful focus and attention to sequence. Combined into one practice, these skills intentionally cultivate and capture energy towards a clear purpose set by the practitioner.

Hula (embodying universe)

The intentional movement and physical demand of hula requires the dancer to understand their environment through the embodiment of our natural elements.

Kaʻao (transformational stories)

Kaʻao are a form of narrative storytelling, anchored in Hawaiʻi place names, characters and relationships; encapsulating countless generations of environmental knowledge. Careful study of kaʻao elicit interpretations and connections across global, regional and personal scales.

Registration Closing on April 8

900+ Learners

...and over 1 Million beneficiaries

since we opened our doors in 2016

Hālau ʻŌhiʻa doors are open until Monday, April 8, 2024. Donʻt miss out.

“Adding Hālau ʻŌhiʻa to my life in the pandemic has been a place of grounding when the world around was constantly changing. It was something that I did to invest in myself and my wellbeing that I didn't realize would also extend to my ohana and students.”

- Anonymous

“The more I know Hawai’i lifeways, the more I feel in common with Japanese culture. And I became very fond of my country, Japan, and wanted to know more about Japan.”

- Mico M. K.

“I have learned about how truly connected we all are. Its so easy in our daily lives to lose that connection, and see our differences, but through sharing, understanding, and learning about everything that connects and binds us all together was a life and personal philosophy changing experience.”

- Kekoa R.

Connect with us on social media and follow along as we share insights into our learners' journeys!

Hālau ʻŌhiʻa: Hawaiʻi Ecological Kinship training

transfers learning via a hybrid model

Learners in Hālau ʻŌhiʻa strengthen their relationships to self and environment through this series of trainings. Each training level offers new Hawaiʻi life ways skills, deeper understanding and more opportunities to put these into practice within your own professional & personal life...the two stages of our journey are:

Hua-Aʻa a Mole

Nuʻu Akahi: Entry 1

Introduction to kuahu or micro environment; WHO are the plant people; learn the mele komo; learn basal Hawaiʻi practices & protocol; and chant fundamentals; what is kaʻao and how do humans perceive our relationships to honua through global stories. This entry level course is delivered virtually, including monthly LIVES with expert graduates, and the possibility of a capstone huakaʻi experience.

Kū Mokuhāliʻi

Nuʻu ʻAlua: Spreading of the ʻōhiʻa forest

Learn how to transmit and document the learning. Knowledge, skills, and abilities are enhanced by deepening each practice. Move from the level of feeling comfortable to becoming more competent and confident is your own relationship with honua through ritual, hula, oli, and kāʻao. Participate in communal ʻAHA and KĪPAEPAE to further lean into practitioner-ship. Potential off island huakaʻi are essential and significant learning opportunities.

"Papa Hua deeply enriched my relationships, both personal and professional, and my concept of self. I now know how to experience and express myself as a reflection of the life of the world, the lands and waters it is my mission to conserve, while honoring my scientific training in a way that feels natural and authentic."

Chad W.

How We Engage

As a Community

The structure of these courses is based on the a Hālau format, in which "hā lau" (many breaths) or may people and perspectives is integral to the learning process. Thus, we open these courses to cohorts of new learners, who will move through the lessons and levels together.

Hybrid

Our primary training materials are offered in a 100% online format. Video content and other resources are accessible in your member site.

IN PERSON training sessions occur at the main Hālau in Hilo Hawaiʻi and at satellite sites on Oʻahu & Maui.

Self-directed

Each level of Hālau ʻŌhiʻa is a 6-month commitment. Lessons are released as the cohort moves through the material and learning is largely self-directed. Although we provide access to an engaged online community, we highly recommend that you enter with a friend, partner or work colleagues.

Connected

While learning is self-directed, the pace of learning is based on the cohortsʻs overall progress. New learners will have the opportunity to connect with both Kekuhi and Kūmokuhaliʻi learnerʻs on line. Limited in-person meetings with Kūmokuhaliʻi cohort are also available in Hilo, Maui, and Oʻahu. Special events like Kīpaepae, Huakaʻi, Special Events or presentations also provide space to connect.

"I witnessed personal growth in others and in myself. There is such beauty in truth, and such power and exponential growth in aloha. And I know I'm not alone in seeing/seeking this potential in self and community."

Brian T.

Have Questions?

Here are some of the most common questions we get from folks!

WHO can join Hālau ʻŌhiʻa?

Will the entire course be online?

What if I can’t commit enough time to keep up with the lessons?

Are there any scholarships or discounts available?

Is this new online cohort the only one available to join at this time?

"It's easy in science justifying trying to remove the emotion and feelings from our work, but being in Hālau ʻŌhiʻa has reminded me that these things are important to my work and can help bring people together."