Kailua

Kailua, a once small town on the east side of Oʻahu, is where I call home. This place has changed vastly in such a short time. The gentrification comes in waves, block by block the town is transformed into a strange place. I bid a hui hou to many that can no longer afford to live here, I may become one of them soon. However, my love for this place keeps me here. I feel it is my kuleana to care, if I do not then who will?

The ahupuaʻa of Kailua has many important cultural places, yet their names are lost in the sea of ʻōlelo haole. However, there are other people who value ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi and our culture. The community fought for the name change of Lanikai Elementary to the original place name, Kaʻōhao. These are small victories in a never ending fight to preserve the Hawaiian culture.