Minamina

Mehana tells a moʻolelo of Hanalei Bay, whose waters sustain the community. However, the natural resources of this place are dwindling away due to commercial fishing. Local fishermen watch as the commercial boats hoard the entire school of akule. Auē. By the time the unneeded akule are released, it is too late. The fish are dead, such waste.

This moʻolelo is too familiar all over Hawaiʻi, not only at the sea but also on land. Hawaiʻi was once a place with many natual resources that could sustain an entire ahupuaʻa, but now we rely on foreign resources to sustain us. Auē. It saddens me to see our once abundant lands being developed. Thankfully, there are organizations who are preserving ʻāina and ancient farming traditions.

Hoʻokuaʻāina in Kailua has restored lands into loʻi. They are able to sustain our community with kalo and ʻulu, native crops that are not sold in grocery stores. I am so thankful for their organization, without them I would not have access to my native foods. My hope for the future is that all communities in Hawaiʻi will have access to resources that were once abunant.