Mākaʻikaʻi | Kohala

Join us December 18–20, 2026, to explore, reconnect, and deepen our relationships with the wahipana and Native Hawaiian communities of Kohala.

What You’ll Experience

Koʻa Heiau Holomoana | Elemental Kilo & Navigation

We will gather at dusk at Koʻa Heiau Holomoana, a sacred wahipana at Mahukona and a piko for Nā Kālai Waʻan and the ʻohana Makaliʻi. Alongside 'Ohana wa'a who continue to train and learn in this wahipana today, we will kilo the changing sky as daylight gives way to stars.

As we honor this space and the people who steward it, we will learn from our human and nonhuman teachers, deepening our awareness of the elemental relationships between land, ocean, sky, and ourselves.

Kōnea o Kukui | ʻĀina Stewardship

Our time in Kohala will also include ʻāina stewardship at Kōnea o Kukui, a place of restoration, cultural connection, and community care nurtured by Nani Svendsen, her ʻohana, and many helping hands.

Through caring for ʻāina, we will explore how tending our relationships with place can also restore our relationships with ourselves and one another.

Kūmau | Mele Study & Pāpālehu

We will take a deep dive into the mele Kūmau through the Pāpālehu process, exploring its words, imagery, and layers of ʻike. Together, we will consider how the mele deepens our relationships with the Wahipana, elements, and experiences we encounter.

Hana Noʻeau & Kūkākūkā

There will be time for hana noʻeau and kūkākūkā discussions, inviting us to create, share observations, ask questions, and reflect on what becomes apparent through our interactions with place and one another.

What Your Registration Includes

  • Hosts and instruction in elemental kilo, mele, Pāpālehu, ʻāina stewardship, and hana noʻeau

  • Five group meals and hana noʻeau materials

  • Required orientation, including learning oli komo

  • Access to preparation information, announcements, and updates through Kajabi

Cost & Payment

$675 per person, payable in full or through three weekly payments of $225. For the payment plan, the first payment is due at registration, followed by two payments at one-week intervals.

Lodging and transportation to and around Kohala are not included. The meeting point will be shared after registration.

Required Orientation

Attend at least one orientation: December 1 or December 15, 2026, from 5–7 PM Hawaiʻi time.

During orientation, we will learn oli komo and review our shared kuleana, preparation needs, and logistics before gathering in Kohala.

Who Can Join?

Registration is open to the public. You do not need to be a registered Hālau ʻŌhiʻa learner to attend.

Space is limited to 20 participants ages 18 and older. Families are considered case by case.

Please contact [email protected] with questions or for registration kōkua.