• Monthly Columns

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• He Alo a He Alo
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• Of Families and Cousins and Lineal Descendants and Ancestral Ties
• Kauluhāweo: Wraparound Services for Haumāna
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• Cover Features

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• Featured

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• An Ancestor Under Fire: The Cultural and Environmental Impact of RIMPAC
• Mural Depicts the Kumulipo and the Origin of Creation
• Budgeting Erasure: Defending Our Ea and Political Status
• Molokaʻi is Ready for Another Option
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• News

• Public Notice | July 2026
• News Briefs | July 2026

• Community

• Family Reunions: July 2026
• Mākeke | The Marketplace | July 2026
• Haliʻa Aloha | July 2026

• OHA

• Key Provisions in the 2027 NDAA Support Negotiated Solutions
• Chinn Named OHA Director of Human Resources
• Why OHA Should Consider Owning KITV and KIKU
• Professionalism, Respect, and Our Responsibility to the Lāhui
• Two Worlds, One Foundation: Hawaiian and American Ideals of Freedom
• I Mua Kākou

• Moʻomeheu | Culture

• A Letter to the Lāhui
• Mural Depicts the Kumulipo and the Origin of Creation

• Economic Stability

• Molokaʻi is Ready for Another Option
• Design Tips: Nail Art From Molokaʻi

• Educational Pathways

• A Letter to the Lāhui

• Governance

• 2026 Primary Election Updates
• Budgeting Erasure: Defending Our Ea and Political Status

• Ha‘i Mana‘o | Opinion

• Don’t Let Kalaupapa Become a Tourism Destination
• Seeking Kōkua for Kaimana
• Pursuing 7 Billion in 2027 to Stop the Genocide

• ‘Āina | Land & Water

• New Report Exposes the True Costs of the U.S. Military in Hawaiʻi
• An Ancestor Under Fire: The Cultural and Environmental Impact of RIMPAC
• Mural Depicts the Kumulipo and the Origin of Creation

• On the Continent

• Seattle Artist Reclaims Culture Through Kapa Making
• Nā Holomoana: We Are Voyagers Still

The post Ka Wai Ola | Vol. 43 No. 7 | July 2026 appeared first on Ka Wai Ola.

OHA Revives ʻAha ʻŌpio Civic Engagement Program After 20 Years

RIMPAC Protested Across the Pae ʻĀina

On June 24, kiaʻi from the Hoʻopae Pono Peace Project, a coalition of organizations, gathered just after sunrise outside the U.S. Pacific Fleet headquarters near Pearl Harbor to bless and honor the lands, creatures and people harmed by RIMPAC. Meanwhile, in Kailua and Kāneʻohe, members of Hui Aloha ʻĀina o Koʻolaupoko hung banners protesting RIMPAC from overpasses. On June 28, kiaʻi from Malu ʻĀina and Protect Pōhakuloa organized an afternoon RIMPAC protest along Bayfront Highway in Hilo.

RIMPAC (Rim of the Pacific), is the biennial international military exercise conducted in Hawaiʻi. This year, it began on June 24 and will conclude July 31. Military personnel from 31 countries are currently in Hawaiʻi, at the invitation of the U.S., for five weeks of war games that will include over 30 surface ships, 206 aircraft, at least five submarines and about 30,000 personnel.

The protests are part of a larger, decentralized movement of organizations and individuals working to stop RIMPAC. The Stop RIMPAC website says, in part, “the bombing of a peaceful, neutral country under an illegal occupation has already gone on too long … killing dolphins and whales, destroying sacred places, and polluting the ocean with tons of toxic chemicals to better prepare for war is unacceptable.”

In addition to raising awareness of the harm that RIMPAC causes, the movement is circulating an “END RIMPAC” sign-on letter online. Key areas of concern outlined in the letter are RIMPAC’s negative environmental, social and political impacts.

Addressed to Gov. Josh Green, Hawaiʻi’s Congressional Delegation, Admiral Samuel J. Paparo, Admiral Stephen T. Koehler, and the heads of states of all countries participating in RIMPAC, the letter calls for the immediate and permanent termination of RIMPAC, restoration of the lands and waters affected by RIMPAC, and for the return of all Hawaiian lands in safe and healthy condition once leases expire.

RIMPAC includes amphibious operations, gunnery and missile exercises, anti-submarine warfare and a sinking exercise (SINKEX) of a decommissioned naval ship. The devastation to the marine ecosystem cannot be overstated.

According to the letter, during RIMPAC, a “take” (i.e., kill) permit is granted to the military by NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) allowing for the deaths of over a million marine animals per cycle as acceptable collateral damage from the missiles, explosives and gunfire deployed during live-fire exercises.

SINKEX bombing exercises release large quantities of toxins into the water including PFAS, PCBs, asbestos and heavy metals that poison fish and contaminate the marine food chain. Turtle nesting areas and coral reefs are severely harmed by amphibious landing exercises. And sonar used during naval war games terrify and disorient cetaceans like whales and dolphins, often resulting in death.

The letter states that besides the devastating environmental consequences, sex trafficking increases dramatically during RIMPAC. Bars and strip clubs even hang “Welcome RIMPAC” banners outside their establishments during the exercises. For more information or to sign the letter go to endrimpac.org.

Oʻahu Rainwater Capture Program

Nonprofit Mālama Maunalua recently launched its Get Rain Ready Rainwater Capture and Incentive Program in collaboration with the City and County of Honolulu Department of Facility Maintenance. The program’s goal is to help Oʻahu’s communities reduce flooding and pollution in our waters.

They are currently seeking applicants from homeowners for the free direct-install program. Selected applicants will receive a free rain barrel installed on their property, a rain garden, or a native tree. Each of these rainwater capture solutions help to reduce storm water runoff within that watershed.

“Rainwater catchment systems, like rain barrels, are crucial for mitigating storm water runoff, especially during heavy rainfall events like we’ve been experiencing,” said Mālama Maunalua Executive Director Doug Harper. “Whether the homeowner chooses the rain barrel, a rain garden, or a native tree, these systems will work together across a watershed to capture and manage rainwater, protecting the waterways that feed into the ocean.”

Rainwater capture solutions are a cost-effective way for residents to protect Oʻahu’s precious groundwater, reduce localized flooding, mitigate storm water pollution in streams and the ocean, and potentially save money on water bills.

For more information or to apply, go to rainwaterhawaii.com and click the “Apply Now” button. The application window is open now through July 15. Program requirements and application instructions are on the website. To qualify for the rain barrel installation, applicants must have an existing rain gutter and downspout.

Blaisdell-Brennan Receives National Honors

Dr. Helen Kaleleonalani Blaisdell-Brennan, MD, has received multiple honors from the American Psychiatric Association (APA), including recognition as a Mental Health Equity Champion and Resident Fellow Mentor. In May she was recognized as a Distinguished Fellow of the APA and granted the 2026 APA Rural Psychiatry Award.

The Distinguished Fellow designation is among the organization’s highest honors. The Mental Health Equity Champion recognition highlights leadership in advancing culturally responsive care and reducing disparities in access, while the Rural Psychiatry Award recognizes outstanding contributions in rural and underserved communities.

Blaisdell-Brennan is a two-time past president of the Hawaiʻi Psychiatric Medical Association and has served on the boards of numerous organizations including: Ke Ola Mamo Oʻahu Native Hawaiian Health Care System; Hui Hānai; St. Andrew’s Schools; the Honolulu County Medical Society; and ʻAhahui o nā Kauka, the Native Hawaiian physicians association.

Now in private practice, she served for 17 years as a psychiatrist at Waiʻanae Coast Comprehensive Health Center focusing on mental health equity, suicide prevention, physician workforce development, and improving access to care for rural and underserved populations.

Blaisdell-Brennan graduated from Kamehameha Schools Kapālama and Harvard College. She earned her medical degree from UH’s John A. Burns School of Medicine and served as chief resident at the University of California, Los Angeles Neuropsychiatric Institute.

Freitas Appointed to UH Board of Regents

Makai Freitas has been appointed to the University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents by Gov. Josh Green. The Board of Regents is responsible for the general management and oversight of the University of Hawaiʻi system.

Freitas is a distinguished labor leader with the International Longshore and Warehouse Union with more than 20 years of experience in organizational leadership and workforce advocacy. He has a track record of cross-sector collaboration, working with educators, public agencies and community organizations, and has spearheaded complex negotiations and strategic workforce development initiatives that have strengthened economic opportunities for Hawaiʻi families.

In addition to his leadership in the labor sector, he is the West Hawaiʻi representative on the Hawaiian Homes Commission within the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. In this role, Freitas advocates for Native Hawaiian beneficiaries, focusing on affordable housing, community development and educational advancement.

A graduate of Kamehameha Schools Kapālama and the University of Arizona, Freitas brings a balanced perspective of statewide advocacy and local community insight. He resides in Waimea with his wife, Aulani, and their two daughters.

“Higher education plays a vital role in Hawaiʻi’s future. I look forward to strengthening the university’s mission of teaching, learning and community service,” Freitas said.

Hoʻomaikaʻi to Pūʻōhala’s First Graduating Class!

Kanakaʻole Named DLNR Chair

Ryan Kanakaʻole has been appointed by Gov. Josh Green to serve as chairperson and director of the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), effective July 7, 2026. Kanakaʻole replaces Dawn Chang who has retired.

Kanakaʻole has been acting chairperson since December 2025. Prior to that, he served as DLNR first deputy. He is on the advisory committee for military leased lands and represented DLNR on the Mauna Kea Stewardship Oversight Authority, Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity, the Agribusiness Development Corporation Board and the Commission on Water Resource Management.

Before joining DLNR, Kanakaʻole was a deputy in the Hawaiʻi Department of the Attorney General. From 2017 to 2023, he was a deputy attorney general for the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands.

Kanakaʻole is from Waiʻōhinu on Hawaiʻi Island. He graduated from Kamehameha Schools Kapālama, has a BA in Political Science from UH Hilo, and a Juris Doctor, along with a certificate in Native Hawaiian Law, from William S. Richardson School of Law at UH Mānoa.

“Serving the people of Hawaiʻi is an enormous responsibility, one I take very seriously. Our public trust duty to protect the cultural, historical and life-giving resources of these islands is the legacy we pass on to our children. I remain committed to leaving this place better than we found it,” Kanakaʻole said.

Keaulana Receives Lifetime Achievement Award

On May 16, Waikīkī Film Awards, in partnership with the Hawaiʻi Film Alliance, presented world-renowned Mākaha waterman Brian Keaulana with a Hawaiʻi Lifetime Achievement Award.

Born and raised in Mākaha, Keaulana is one of the most influential watermen of all time and is widely recognized for revolutionizing ocean safety practices, including the use of jet ski rescue techniques.

Over the decades, Keaulana’s ocean expertise in the waters of the west side was parlayed into work in the film industry when he was tapped to provide critical support and consultation to major film and television productions including Waterworld (1995), 50 First Dates (2004), Jurassic World (2015) and Hawaiʻi Five-O (2010-2020).

He has also acted, with appearances in movies including The Big Bounce (2004) and Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008). And he played himself for two seasons on Baywatch: Hawaiʻi (1999-2001). Keaulana has also worked as a producer, a stuntman, and stunt coordinator in numerous other productions.

His work in the film industry and commitment to the Hawaiian culture and community inspired Keaulana to co-found the International Cultural Arts Network (ICAN), a nonprofit dedicated to elevating, educating and empowering diversity in Hawaiʻi’s television and film industry focusing on Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders.

950 Acres of Kāneʻohe

ʻĀinapreneur Network Launched

Changemakers Hawaiʻi, an ʻŌiwi-led nonprofit, is launching the ʻĀinapreneur Small Business Network, a new community- rooted initiative designed to help Hawaiʻi entrepreneurs grow businesses that are connected to place, guided by values, and built for shared prosperity.

The network brings together small business owners, aspiring founders, creatives, makers, workforce participants, mentors, funders, and community partners to strengthen Hawaiʻi’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Members will gain access to peer connection, mentorship, business education, capital-readiness support, resource sharing, visibility opportunities, and collaborative partnerships.

“For too long, our local founders have had to choose between growing their business and staying true to their cultural values. With the launch of the ʻĀinapreneur Network, we’re proving you can do both,” said Changemakers Hawaiʻi Founder Olani Lilly. “This is a collective of leaders who are as committed to the health of our ʻāina as they are to their bottom line.”

Grounded in the “4 Ps” – Place, People, Purpose, and Prosperity – the ʻĀinapreneur Network is built to help entrepreneurs move ideas into action while keeping capital, relationships, and opportunity circulating within Hawaiʻi.

“Capital should be a relationship, not just a transaction,” Lilly said. “Our goal is to see every dollar recirculate back into our islands, building a regenerative economy that honors our home.”

Changemakers Hawaiʻi hosted a virtual soft launch on June 25 for entrepreneurs and partners interested in becoming founding members.

For more info go to https://changemakershawaii.org/ainapreneurs

Another Attack on Pacific Marine Monuments

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The Trump Administration wants to open Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument and Sanctuary to commercial fishing. – Courtesy Photos

On June 11, President Donald Trump signed a proclamation intended to allow commercial fishing in the Mau and Hoʻomalu Zones of Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, as well as in the Islands Unit of the Mariana Trench Marine National Monument and the Rose Atoll Marine National Monument.

The order threatens critical species habitat within and around the monument and disregards Native Hawaiian cultural practices, beliefs and conservation efforts in the region. Environmental law firm Earthjustice will take legal action in response.

Deputy Managing Attorney David Henkin from Earthjustice’s Mid-Pacific Office asserts that not only would commercial fishing in marine monuments be disastrous for the environment, it does not help the fishing industry. “Without fishing in the monuments, U.S.-based fisheries hit their catch limits for tuna every year. Safe havens allow marine life to maintain healthy populations and prevent corporate greed from stripping the ocean of life,” he said.

Research shows that no-fishing zones in marine monuments significantly boost fish stocks. Establishing marine monuments as safe havens allow fish to grow larger and reproduce more successfully which leads to a spillover effect in which excess fish migrate to adjacent waters ultimately increasing commercial catch rates.

This latest order follows similar attacks on the environment by the Trump Administration, including the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument in early 2025. In that case, Earthjustice sued on behalf of Kāpaʻa, the Conservation Council for Hawaiʻi, and the Center for Biological Diversity, and in August 2025 a federal district court struck down the resumption of commercial fishing in the monument.

The post News Briefs | July 2026 appeared first on Ka Wai Ola.

Lunalilo Young Wilcox
Oct. 8, 1961 – May 28, 2026

Kapolei, Oʻahu: Lunalilo Young Wilcox Sr., 64, of Kapolei, passed away peacefully in his sleep surrounded by loved ones, his son, Oiakeʻewe, faithfully by his side.

A Kailua boy, and the youngest of five children born to Rosie Kahalau Wilcox, his life was deeply influenced by his LDS faith and the righteous examples lived by his grandparents, Joseph Oiakeʻewe Young and Rose Wauke.

A 1980 graduate of Kalāheo High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving honorably from 1982–1988 achieving the rank of sergeant. He also spent many years in the food service industry. In 1997, he recommitted to living the gospel of Jesus Christ. Suffering from acute sepsis in 2012, Luna retired from his job as a crane operator at Sand Island Coast Guard in 2013.

Luna leaves a legacy of perseverance, faith, and determination to live your life with purpose; he instilled the importance of ʻohana and aloha for all things.

He is survived by his loving wife and eternal companion, Iwakilaukapu Fraga-Wilcox; daughter Keahiloa (Paina) Mikaele; sons Lunalilo Jr (Sarahli), Oiakeʻewe, Kamakaokalani, Lahaʻole (Anais), and Justin Kaʻanoialiʻi Kaʻanoi (from his first marriage to Ronnel Kaʻanoi Zuttermeister); and grandchildren Aizek and Kade Kaʻanoi; Masina, Lily Selina, and Talitiga Mikaele; and Lahaʻole Wilcox Jr.

Celebration of Life will be Friday, July 10, 2026, at the Kāneʻohe Stake Center, 41-117 Halaulani Street. Visitation: 8:00-9:00 a.m. Family Services: 9:00-11:00 a.m. Bishop’s Service: 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Burial: 1:00 p.m. at Hawaiʻi State Veterans Cemetery. Lunch to follow. E pū paʻakai kākou.

Until we meet again, Honey, Dad, Uncle, Luna, Papa Luna, Aloha ʻoe.

The post Haliʻa Aloha | July 2026 appeared first on Ka Wai Ola.

On behalf of Kuakini Family 1 LP, Pacific Consulting Services, Inc. (PCSI) is preparing a Cultural Impact Assessment (CIA) in support of an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the planned Kuakini Affordable Housing Project in the North Kona District on the Island of Hawaiʻi at TMK (3) 7-5-017:005. Forty-nine affordable housing units are planned to be constructed on the 14-acre parcel, along with a multi-purpose room, parking, and related site improvements. The proposed project site is a vacant, previously undeveloped parcel. The development is being supported by the County of Hawaiʻi Office of Housing and Community Development. PCSI requests that persons with a knowledge of traditional cultural resources, practices, legends, or moʻolelo, on or in the vicinity of the property contact us to share your information and manaʻo. We seek to understand if the proposed development of the property could impact traditional cultural resources or practices. If you, or any persons you know, are willing to provide information for use in the CIA, we would like to invite you to participate in the study. If you are interested in participating, if you know of someone we should contact, or if you would like to receive additional information, please contact Shannon Gomez by email at info@pcsihawaii.com. Mahalo for your kōkua.

Cultural Impact Assessment and Ka Paʻakai Analysis: DHHL Waiohuli Water System Project, Makawao, Maui

Pacific Legacy, Inc., on behalf of PBR Hawaiʻi, is conducting a Cultural Impact Assessment and Ka Paʻakai Analysis for the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands’ Waiohuli Water System Project, Waiohuli Ahupuaʻa, Kula Moku, Maui Island [TMKs: (2) 2-2-002:Pors. 084 and 082]. The project involves the development and construction of three groundwater wells and supporting infrastructure to create long-term viable water sources and foster sustainability for Maui communities. This includes excavation at the well sites, storage tank, water transmission main, and a service/potential emergency access road on 115 acres. Pacific Legacy, Inc. seeks to consult with individuals and organizations who possess knowledge regarding:

• Cultural associations, moʻolelo, or legendary accounts associated with Waiohuli Ahupuaʻa.
• Past and present land use or traditional gathering practices within and near the project area.
• Cultural resources which may be impacted by the proposed project, including traditional resource gathering sites, traditional access trails, wahi pana, and/or burials.
• Any other cultural concerns related to traditional Hawaiian or other cultural practices within or near the proposed project area.
• Referrals to other knowledgeable individuals who may be willing to share their cultural knowledge of the proposed project area and wider Waiohuli Ahupuaʻa.

Those interested in participating are invited to contact Makanani Bell at 808-263-4800 or bell@pacificlegacy.com.

Cultural Impact Assessment and Ka Paʻakai Analysis: The Kekaha Landfill Waimea, Kauaʻi

On behalf of the County of Kauaʻi, Solid Waste Division (County), Cultural Surveys Hawaiʻi (CSH) is conducting a Cultural Impact Assessment (CIA) and Ka Paʻakai Analysis (KPA) for the Kekaha Landfill Cell 3 Vertical Expansion project. The County proposes to develop Cell 3 to gain additional airspace capacity at the Kekaha Landfill located in Kekaha, Kauaʻi, Hawaiʻi.

The proposed project would vertically expand the existing landfill within its current 74-acre waste disposal footprint to provide approximately 10 additional years of municipal solid waste disposal capacity while a new landfill is planned elsewhere in the County. Improvements include reshaping waste within the Phase I area, installing an overliner and leachate collection and removal system, increasing landfill elevations, and connecting the expansion to existing landfill gas, leachate, and stormwater management systems. The project would also include tsunami mitigation armoring around portions of the landfill perimeter to reduce coastal hazard impacts. CSH is seeking manaʻo regarding:

• Traditional cultural practices and resources within the project area and surrounding Waimea Ahupuaʻa
• Potential impacts to cultural sites, practices, and resources
• Referral to knowledgeable kūpuna, kamaʻāina, and cultural practitioners

If you are interested in participating in this study, please contact CSH Cultural Researcher, Tehani Baculpo by email at tbaculpo@culturalsurveys.com no later than August 7, 2026.

Cultural Impact Assessment and Ka Paʻakai Analysis: Prince Kūhiō Gateway Project, Honouliuli, Oʻahu

Pacific Legacy, Inc., on behalf of Kuʻai Halewai, LLC, is conducting a Cultural Impact Assessment (CIA) and Ka Paʻakai Analysis for the proposed Prince Kūhiō Gateway Project in Honouliuli Ahupuaʻa, ʻEwa Moku, Oʻahu [TMK: (1) 9-1-017:010 and (1) 9-1-017:041]. The project involves the development of commercial space and kūpuna housing on 22.7 acres that will directly benefit the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL). Pacific Legacy, Inc. seeks to consult with individuals and organizations who possess knowledge regarding:

• Cultural associations, moʻolelo, or legendary accounts associated with Honouliuli Ahupuaʻa.
• Past and present land use or traditional gathering practices within and near the project area.
• Cultural resources which may be impacted by the proposed project, including traditional resource gathering sites, traditional access trails, wahi pana, and/or burials.
• Any other cultural concerns related to traditional Hawaiian or other cultural practices within or near the proposed project area.
• Referrals to other knowledgeable individuals who may be willing to share their cultural knowledge of the proposed project area and wider Honouliuli Ahupuaʻa.

Those interested in participating are invited to contact Makanani Bell at 808-263-4800 or bell@pacificlegacy.com.

Ka Paʻakai Analysis: The DWS Kamole Water Treatment Plant Water Storage Reservoirs, Hāliʻimaile and Hāmākuapoko, Maui

At the request of Munekiyo Hiraga and on behalf of the Department of Water Supply (DWS), Cultural Surveys Hawaiʻi (CSH) is conducting a Ka Paʻakai Analysis for the DWS Kamole Water Treatment Plant (WTP) Water Storage Reservoirs project, Hāliʻimaile and Hāmākuapoko Ahupuaʻa, Makawao, Maui (TMK: (2) 2-5-004:039 por.). The DWS proposes construction of two raw water reservoirs with a combined raw water storage capacity of approximately 145 million gallons (445 acre-feet). The reservoirs are intended to improve resiliency during drought conditions by storing surplus surface water from the Wailoa Ditch during high-flow periods and providing an emergency water source for wildfire response. The reservoirs will be located adjacent to the existing Kamole WTP and designed to meet or exceed Hawaiʻi DLNR Dam Safety criteria (HAR §13-190.1). The proposed project also includes pipelines to convey water by gravity from the Wailoa Ditch to the reservoirs and from the reservoirs to a booster pump station within the WTP site, from which the water would be pumped to the WTP screen basin prior to filtration. CSH is seeking manaʻo regarding:

• Traditional cultural practices and resources within the project area and surrounding Hāliʻimaile and Hāmākuapoko Ahupuaʻa.
• Potential impacts to cultural sites, practices, and resources.
• Referral to knowledgeable kūpuna, kamaʻāina, and cultural practitioners.

To provide input, please contact CSH Cultural Researcher, Tehani Baculpo by email at tbaculpo@culturalsurveys.com no later than 31 August 2026.

Ka Paʻakai Analysis: Haleakala Hwy Project, Makawao, Maui

Pacific Legacy, Inc., on behalf of Commercial Properties of Maui, is conducting a Ka Paʻakai Analysis for the proposed 11047 Haleakalā Highway Project, Makaʻehu Ahupuaʻa, Kula Moku (modern tax district of Makawao), Island of Maui [TMKs: (2) 2-3-007:035 (por.), (2) 2-3-009:066 (por.), and (2) 2-3-009:013 (por.)]. The project is evaluating groundwater wells and related water infrastructure on approximately 207.49 acres to provide a reliable potable and agricultural water source supporting existing agricultural operations, long-term stewardship, water reliability and resiliency, and future permitted agricultural, residential, community-serving, and other potential uses of the property. Pacific Legacy, Inc. seeks to consult with individuals and organizations who possess knowledge regarding:

• Cultural associations, moʻolelo, or legendary accounts associated with Makaʻehu Ahupuaʻa.
• Past and present land use or traditional gathering practices within and near the project area.
• Cultural resources which may be impacted by the proposed project, including traditional resource gathering sites, traditional access trails, wahi pana, and/or burials.
• Any other cultural concerns related to traditional Hawaiian or other cultural practices within or near the proposed project area.
• Referrals to other knowledgeable individuals who may be willing to share their cultural knowledge of the proposed project area and wider Makaʻehu Ahupuaʻa.

Those interested in participating are invited to contact Makanani Bell at 808-263-4800 or bell@pacificlegacy.com.

The post Public Notice | July 2026 appeared first on Ka Wai Ola.

• Aipia/Kahananui – Descendants of Joseph Kelii Aipia and Meleana Penikala Kahananui of Kalaoa, Kona, Hawaiʻi. Family Reunion on July 18, 2026, at Kualoa Beach Park, Oʻahu. Contact: Nanikehau Keama (808) 594-6289.
• Hukiku/Keulua – The ʻohana of Moke Hukiku and Kapali Keulua is having a family reunion on August 15, 2026, at Māʻili Beach Park. The ʻohana includes the descendants of James Moses, Mary Kiko, Annie Flores, Jack Moses, Joseph Kaahanui Moses, Frank Moke, Louise Larinaga, Kalei Tisalona, and Malia Santiago, as well as those of Pio Anakolio, Lokalia Anakolio Holt, James Lawrence Holt, Kaluna Keawekane, Malia Kaneaiakala, Keolas/Ahsings, and Kaahanuis. Contact Hukiku.Keulua@gmail.com for further information.
• Kinikahikoainoa-Pahane – ʻAuhea ʻoukou e nā mamo a Kanialama? Calling on the direct descendants of Kinikahikoainoa and Pooui Pahane, along with Kaianui and Nakahili, parents of Kanialama and Kaohuaino Kaianui, respectively. This includes ka ʻohana Long, Kahanu, Gooman, and the descendants of Kelupaka Kaianui and Pila Kauahiokona. Join us at our biennial reunion for mele, moʻolelo and moʻokūʻauhau… and of course, leʻaleʻa! For more information, email: pukanaokanialama26@gmail.com E ola ka hā loa o ka ʻohana!
• Kaʻauhaukane – Na Lālā O Ana Lumaukahiliʻowahinekapu Kaʻauhaukane will celebrate our ʻOhana Reunion – Potluck Lunch on Sunday, August 9, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Bellows Air Force Station, Picnic Pavilion 5-A. Deadline to register, Sunday, July 12, 2026. To ensure base access, please contact your family representative: Peter Machado 808-282-3732 (Kapiko and Quinn); Linda Ho 808-239-8081 (Iseke); Louie Peterson 808-216-9331 (Isaacs and Iseke); Colleen Tam Loo 808-729-8662 or Puanani Orton 808-381-3510 (McKee).
• Kelepolo – Calling the descendants of Maikaʻaloa and Annie (Kumulau) Kelepolo of Kainaliu, Kona, Hawaiʻi and their seven keiki: Albert, Peter, Josephine, William, Joseph, Isabella, and Lillian. We are planning an ʻohana reunion for July 17-19, 2026, in Kona, Hawaiʻi. Contact Monico Galieto (grandson of William Kelepolo) at kelepoloohana@gmail.com or call (808) 936-5682. When emailing, provide your name, phone number, mailing/email addresses. and how you’re related, I will send an information packet.
• Kupihea – ʻOhana of Solomon N. Kupihea and M. Hattie Kuapahi Kupihea: Join us on Kauaʻi July 12-19, 2026! Daily planned activities to strengthen bonds and learn faces. Evening potluck dinners for genealogy and talk story. Visit our website for more information. https://bit.ly/Kupihea-Kuapahi-reunion-2026. Email: kupihea.reunion@gmail.com
• Lovell – Reunion Announcement. The descendants of Joseph Lovell a me Mele Holokahiki will hold a family reunion on Kauaʻi, July 12–16, 2028. We are specifically seeking descendants of Loika, John, William, Daniel, and Kini Lovell to assist with the planning and organization of this gathering. Your kōkua is greatly appreciated as we bring our ʻohana together. Please contact Kellie at kelliepupu@gmail.com or Makalapua at kaawa@hawaii.edu for more information and to get involved.
• Pio – Descendants of Kepio and Keoahu of Kaupō, Maui, are having a family reunion on Maui, Labor Day weekend, Sept. 4-6, 2026, at Pukalani Community Center. Their six children used the surnames Kepio or Pio: Sampson Kahaleuahi (Anadasia Kealoha); Victoria Nakoaelua (Kahaleauki); Maria Malaea (Keahi/Adams, Sam Akahi Sr.); Samuel Kaukani (Mele Kakaio, Rebecca Malulu); Ipoaloha (Kalalani Kekiwi); and Joseph Kaleohano (Elizabeth Nakula, Minnie Aloiau). Contact: Kaʻapuni Peters-Wong 808-375-4321; Toni Kowalski-Dacquel 808-436-1845; Valda Baisa Andaya 808-572-9245; Ululani Opiana Glass 808-446-9309; Kapiolani Adams 808-778-6383; or email pioohana@gmail.com.

The post Family Reunions: July 2026 appeared first on Ka Wai Ola.

• Monthly Columns

• New Graduate Certificate in Indigenous Planning
• From ʻŌpū to Mood: The Gut-Brain Connection
• The Moʻolelo of Waikīkī
• I Mua Kamehameha
• Navigating the Halls of Congress: The Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole Fellows Program
• Nā Mea Makamae Hawaiʻi ma Lākana 3
• Nā Kiele o Hawaiʻi: Nānū (Nāʻū), Kiele, Tiare mā
• Precious Hawaiian Treasures in London 3
• Kuʻu Ola Huakaʻi: My life journey through Pōhakuloa Training Area
• LT Announces New President and CEO
• i Hōlani ke Kuʻina i Hōlanikū
• Keeping Kūpuna Safe
• Legislative Outcomes Underscore the Need for Continued Advocacy

• Cover Features

• Below the Surface: A Burden Washed Ashore

• Featured

• Imperfect High Seas Treaty is Still a Victory for the Ocean
• By Restoring Our Reefs We Restore Ourselves
• There is No “Away” in Hawaiʻi: Counties face growing landfill challenges
• Commercial Fishing is Not a Cultural Practice
• OHA Takes Native Hawaiian Voice to Washington, D.C.
• Hōkūleʻa: Reconnecting Oceania

• News

• News Briefs | June 2026
• Public Notice | June 2026

• Community

• Mākeke | The Marketplace | June 2026
• Family Reunions: June 2026

• OHA

• Ka Wai Ola: The Waters That Carry and Sustain Us
• 20 Years of Pono Management in Papahānaumokuākea
• Commercial Aquarium Fish Extraction Puts Hawaiʻi’s Reefs and Community Practices at Risk
• Burial Laws Disregarded
• Legislature Releases $55M Owed to OHA
• Kauaʻi, PMRF, and the Road Ahead
• PART III: Serving the Lāhui – Investing in Our Future
• OHA Takes Native Hawaiian Voice to Washington, D.C.

• Moʻomeheu | Culture

• Hōkūleʻa: Reconnecting Oceania

• Governance

• Legislature Releases $55M Owed to OHA

• Ha‘i Mana‘o | Opinion

• Wai Is Life, Trust Is Broken: Hawaiʻi’s Call to Mālama ʻĀina
• Where Personal Kuleana Meets Institutional Constraint
• Ahupuaʻa Stewardship Builds Climate Resilience
• Alternate Ways for Kānaka to Come Home

• Health Outcomes

• Burial Laws Disregarded

• ‘Āina | Land & Water

• Imperfect High Seas Treaty is Still a Victory for the Ocean
• 20 Years of Pono Management in Papahānaumokuākea
• By Restoring Our Reefs We Restore Ourselves
• There is No “Away” in Hawaiʻi: Counties face growing landfill challenges
• Commercial Fishing is Not a Cultural Practice
• ʻAʻole AQ: ʻŌiwi communities fight to end commercial aquarium collection

The post Ka Wai Ola | Vol. 43 No. 6 | June 2026 appeared first on Ka Wai Ola.

All persons having information concerning two unmarked burials on TMK: (2) 2-1-008:099 in Pāpaʻanui Ahupuaʻa, Honuaʻula District, Island of Maui, are requested to contact Kim Mooney, ASM Affiliates, at (808) 294-0735, kmooney@asmaffiliates.com, or 149 Maʻa St, Suite 100, Kahului, HI 96732, or Leinoa Kong, DLNR-SHPD Burial Sites Program at (808) 652-1510 or Leinoa.Kong@hawaii.gov.

Appropriate treatment of the remains will occur in accordance with HRS, Chapter 6E, respective to these burial sites. The landowner intends to preserve both burials in place, following the preparation of Burial Treatment Plans in consultation with any identified descendants and with the approval of the Maui-Lanai Island Burial Council. All interested parties should respond within thirty (30) days of this notice and provide information to DLNR-SHPD adequately demonstrating lineal descent from these specific Native Hawaiian remains, or cultural descent from ancestors once residing or buried in the same ahupuaʻa or moku.

Burial Notice: Lahaina, Maui

Two burial sites containing human skeletal remains (State Inventory of Historic Places #s 50-50-03-10069 and -10070) were identified by Cultural Surveys Hawaiʻi, Inc. during an archaeological inventory survey for the 764, 766, & 700 Front St. Project within Paunau Ahupuaʻa, Lahaina District, Maui, TMK: (2) 4-6-009:009. Per Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes §6E-43 and Hawaiʻi Administrative Rules (HAR) §13-300, these are considered previously identified burial sites. Based on the context, the burials are historic and post-date 1878. The project area is located within LCA 8452:4.1 to Analea Keohokālole, LCA 303:1 to Kuakamauna, E., and LCA 327:2 to Kaauwai, Z. The project proponent is Miyaki Family Limited Liability Partnership, c/o Jay Miyaki, 600 Queen St., Unit C-4, Honolulu, HI 96813, Tel: (808) 522-1042. The decision to preserve in place or relocate shall be made by the Maui/Lānaʻi Islands Burial Council in consultation with the State Historic Preservation Division (SHPD) and any recognized lineal and/or cultural descendants (HAR §13-300-33). Appropriate treatment shall occur in accordance with HAR §13-300-38. All persons having knowledge of these human remains are requested to contact Leinoa Kong, SHPD Burial Sites Specialist, at 130 Mahalani St., Wailuku, HI 96793, Tel: (808) 652-1510, Email: Leinoa.Kong@hawaii.gov. Interested parties shall respond within 30 days of this notice and file descendancy claim forms and/or provide information to SHPD adequately demonstrating descent from the burials or ancestors buried in the same ahupuaʻa.

Cultural Impact Assessment: Kaiāulu O Nāpili Workforce Housing Project, Mailepai Ahupuaʻa, Kāʻanapali

On behalf of Ikaika Ohana, SWCA Environmental Consultants (SWCA) is preparing a Cultural Impact Assessment (CIA) for the proposed Kaiāulu o Nāpili Workforce Housing Project. The proposed project will be located on approximately 14.99 acres in the ahupuaʻa of Mailepai and a small portion of ʻAlaeloa in Kāʻanapali Moku on Maui, TMK (2) 4-3-001:096 (por.). The proposed development is intended to provide affordable housing in West Maui and includes a mix of single-family homes, multi-family apartments, and senior housing units. Related improvements such as a community center, laundry room, internal roadways, utilities, and landscaping will be provided. The project will also involve the installation of underground utility infrastructure. As part of the CIA process, SWCA is seeking consultation with individuals and organizations knowledgeable about the project area’s past and present cultural uses, including cultural traditions, gathering practices, and any concerns regarding potential effects of the project on cultural practices in the vicinity. This input will help inform the assessment and ensure that traditional and customary practices are considered during the environmental review process. Please contact SWCA at hawaiiculturalconsultation@swca.com or (808) 437-8974. Mahalo for your kōkua.

Cultural Impact Assessment and Ka Paʻakai Analysis for the Proposed Kaiminani Workforce Housing Project

Pacific Legacy, Inc., on behalf of Kaimana Environmental Solutions, LLC, is conducting a Cultural Impact Assessment (CIA) and Ka Paʻakai Analysis for the Proposed Kaiminani Workforce Housing Project, ʻOʻoma 1 Ahupuaʻa, North Kona District, Island of Hawaiʻi [TMK: (3) 7-3-010:056 and (3) 7-3-010:061 (por.)]. The County of Hawaiʻi Office of Housing and Community Development is proposing to develop workforce rental housing, which would include single-family and multi-family rental housing units on 27.5 acres. Pacific Legacy, Inc. seeks to consult with individuals and organizations who possess knowledge regarding:

• Cultural associations, moʻolelo, or legendary accounts associated with ʻOʻoma Ahupuaʻa.
• Past and present land use or traditional gathering practices within and near the project area.
• Cultural resources which may be impacted by the proposed project, including traditional resource gathering sites, traditional access trails, wahi pana, and/or burials.
• Any other cultural concerns related to traditional Hawaiian or other cultural practices within or near the proposed project area.
• Referrals to other knowledgeable individuals who may be willing to share their cultural knowledge of the proposed project area and wider ʻOʻoma Ahupuaʻa.

Those interested in participating are invited to contact Makanani Bell at 808-263-4800 or bell@pacificlegacy.com.

Ka Paʻakai Analysis for Mahi Pono Photo-Voltaic Solar Farm, Pūlehunui

Cultural Surveys Hawaiʻi (CSH), on behalf of Mahi Pono, LLC, is conducting a Ka Paʻakai Analysis for the proposed Mahi Pono Photo-Voltaic Solar Farm Project, Pūlehunui, Wailuku, Maui (TMK: (2) 3-8-004:001-0002 por.). Mahi Pono, LLC is proposing to install an 8-Megawatt (MW) Photovoltaic (PV) solar farm and related improvements on TMK: (2) 3-8-004:001-0002 (por.). Parcel 001 is approximately 3,422 acres in size while the boundaries of the project area on portion -0002 total approximately 29.3-acres. The project will likely involve ground-altering activities to install footings and improvements for the solar array. CSH seeks your knowledge, insight, and input on the following topics:

• Your knowledge of traditional cultural practices within the proposed project area and Pūlehunui Ahupuaʻa
• The different natural resources associated with your specific cultural practice
• Referrals to other kūpuna, kamaʻāina, and traditional cultural practitioners knowledgeable about the proposed project area and Pūlehunui Ahupuaʻa
• Your comments or thoughts on the potential impacts the proposed project may have on cultural sites, practices, and resources within the proposed project area and Pūlehunui Ahupuaʻa

If you are interested in participating in this study, please contact CSH Cultural Researcher, Chantellee Spencer by email at cspencer@culturalsurveys.com no later than August 5, 2026.

Ka Paʻakai Analysis: Mahi Pono HECO Interconnect Substation Project

Cultural Surveys Hawaiʻi (CSH), at the request of Munekiyo Hiraga, on behalf of Mahi Pono, LLC, is conducting a Ka Paʻakai Analysis for the Mahi Pono HECO Interconnect Substation Project, Wailuku Ahupuaʻa, Wailuku District, TMK (2) 3-8-006:001 por. Mahi Pono, LLC is proposing to relocate an electrical substation and related improvements on an approximately 1.7-acre site in Central Maui which is a portion of a larger parcel identified as TMK: (2) 3-8-006:001. The substation needs to be relocated prior to the expiration of the existing Sugar Mill substation easement agreement. The proposed replacement substation will used by Mahi Pono to access the HECO grid infrastructure for their farming operations. Project related ground disturbance will include the installation of footings and improvements for the substation components. CSH seeks your knowledge, insight, and input on the following topics:

• Your knowledge of traditional cultural practices within the proposed project area and Wailuku Ahupuaʻa
• The different natural resources associated with your specific cultural practice
• Referrals to other kūpuna, kamaʻāina, and traditional cultural practitioners knowledgeable about the proposed project area and Wailuku Ahupuaʻa
• Your comments or thoughts on the potential impacts the proposed project may have on cultural sites, practices, and resources within the proposed project area and Wailuku Ahupuaʻa

If you are interested in participating in this study, please contact CSH Cultural Researcher, Kellen Tanaka by email at ktanaka@culturalsurveys.com or Chantelle Spencer at cspencer@culturalsurveys.com.

The post Public Notice | June 2026 appeared first on Ka Wai Ola.

• Aipia/Kahananui – Descendants of Joseph Kelii Aipia and Meleana Penikala Kahananui of Kalaoa, Kona, Hawaiʻi. Family Reunion on July 18, 2026, at Kualoa Beach Park, Oʻahu. Contact: Nanikehau Keama (808) 594-6289.
• Akau – Descendants of Sen Kau Ching Akeni/Kamakahemaliʻiliʻi Awa Kepeʻa are having a family reunion in Waimea, Hawaiʻi on June 26-28, 2026. Calling all descendants of their three children (1) William Paul Mahinauli Akeni Akau/Roseline Kealohapauole Kalaluhi and William Paul Mahinauli Akeni Akau/Lydia Awaa Kahookano (2) Pekina Akeni/Goo Kim Seu (3) Apikai (Apitai) Akeni/Kahana Maluwaikoo. For more info and to register visit: akauohana.org/2026reunion email: huiohanaoakau@gmail.com or call: 808-444-5756.
• Kaʻauhaukane – Na Lālā O Ana Lumaukahiliʻowahinekapu Kaʻauhaukane will celebrate our ʻOhana Reunion – Potluck Lunch on Sunday, August 9, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Bellows Air Force Station, Picnic Pavilion 5-A. Deadline to register, Sunday, July 12, 2026. To ensure base access, please contact your family representative: Peter Machado 808-282-3732 (Kapiko and Quinn); Linda Ho 808-239-8081 (Iseke); Louie Peterson 808-216-9331 (Isaacs and Iseke); Colleen Tam Loo 808-729-8662 or Puanani Orton 808-381-3510 (McKee).
• Kelepolo – Calling the descendants of Maikaʻaloa and Annie (Kumulau) Kelepolo of Kainaliu, Kona, Hawaiʻi and their seven keiki: Albert, Peter, Josephine, William, Joseph, Isabella, and Lillian. We are planning an ʻohana reunion for July 17-19, 2026, in Kona, Hawaiʻi. Contact Monico Galieto (grandson of William Kelepolo) at kelepoloohana@gmail.com or call (808) 936-5682. When emailing, provide your name, phone number, mailing/email addresses. and how you’re related, I will send an information packet.
• Kanialama – ʻAuhea ʻoukou e nā mamo a Kanialama? Calling on the direct descendants of Kinikahikoainoa and Pooui Pahane, along with Kaianui and Nakahili, parents of Kanialama and Kaohuaino Kaianui, respectively. This includes ka ʻohana Long, Kahanu, Gooman, and the descendants of Kelupaka Kaianui and Pila Kauahiokona. Join us at our biennial reunion for mele, moʻolelo and moʻokūʻauhau… and of course, leʻaleʻa! For more information, email: pukanaokanialama26@gmail.com E ola ka hā loa o ka ʻohana!
• Kupihea – ʻOhana of Solomon N. Kupihea and M. Hattie Kuapahi Kupihea: Join us on Kauaʻi July 12-19, 2026! Daily planned activities to strengthen bonds and learn faces. Evening potluck dinners for genealogy and talk story. Visit our website for more information. https://bit.ly/Kupihea-Kuapahi-reunion-2026. Email: kupihea.reunion@gmail.com
• Lovell – Reunion Announcement. The descendants of Joseph Lovell a me Mele Holokahiki will hold a family reunion on Kauaʻi, July 12–16, 2028. We are specifically seeking descendants of Loika, John, William, Daniel, and Kini Lovell to assist with the planning and organization of this gathering. Your kōkua is greatly appreciated as we bring our ʻohana together. Please contact Kellie at kelliepupu@gmail.com or Makalapua at kaawa@hawaii.edu for more information and to get involved.
• Mar – Descendants of Yuen Mar and Annie Moi Lau – Join us for our ʻohana gathering on Sat., June 27, 2026, at ʻĀina Moana Park (Magic Island), in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi. For more information, email Aina at: jsimkings77@icloud.com. Please provide your name, contact info and your ʻohana relationship.
• Pio – Descendants of Kepio and Keoahu of Kaupō, Maui, are having a family reunion on Maui, Labor Day weekend, Sept. 4-6, 2026, at Pukalani Community Center. Their six children used the surnames Kepio or Pio: Sampson Kahaleuahi (Anadasia Kealoha); Victoria Nakoaelua (Kahaleauki); Maria Malaea (Keahi/Adams, Sam Akahi Sr.); Samuel Kaukani (Mele Kakaio, Rebecca Malulu); Ipoaloha (Kalalani Kekiwi); and Joseph Kaleohano (Elizabeth Nakula, Minnie Aloiau). Contact: Kaʻapuni Peters-Wong 808-375-4321; Toni Kowalski-Dacquel 808-436-1845; Valda Baisa Andaya 808-572-9245; Ululani Opiana Glass 808-446-9309; Kapiolani Adams 808-778-6383; or email pioohana@gmail.com.

The post Family Reunions: June 2026 appeared first on Ka Wai Ola.

• Aina Realtor – I specialize in helping Native Hawaiians, first-time homebuyers, and local families navigate the home buying and selling process. I currently have buyers looking in all Hawaiian Homestead neighborhoods, and if you’ve been thinking about selling or buying but aren’t sure where to start—or need guidance through the DHHL process—I can help. Let’s talk story and explore your options. I handle every step with care, experience, and local knowledge. Call or text: Jordan Aina – RS-85780 – (808) 276-0880.
• Aina Realtor – Big Island DHHL Lot – 236 Lyman Ave, Keaukaha – 3 bedroom, 1 bath Fixer upper, Half Acre lot – Leasehold – Call Jordan Aina (Realtor) for details – 808-276-0880 – Coldwell Banker Realty. I service Homestead on all islands. I also have buyers ready on each island.
• Aina Realtor – Kauaʻi DHHL Lot – 4336 Haku Aina Road, Anahola – 4 bedroom, 3 bath Fixer upper, 10,000 sqft lot – Leasehold – Call Jordan Aina (Realtor) for details – 808-276-0880 – Coldwell Banker Realty. I service Homestead on all islands. I also have buyers ready on each island.
• Hale Kamaʻāina & Down Payment Assistance Programs may help make homeownership possible. Explore your options today. Call SecurityNational Mortgage 808.823.8050
• Hauling with Aloha – Pilialoha Trucking LLC offers reliable container hauling and freight transport on Oʻahu. Pier-to-pier, local delivery, construction support. (808) 630-0554 | Mahalo
• Homes with Aloha – Kaumana / Hilo – Single level 3bed/ 2.5 baths. Built 2009 Lot size 11,900. $380,000 This is a leasehold property -Charmaine I. Quilit Poki (Realtor) (808) 295-4474. RB-15998 Keller Williams Honolulu RB-21303
• Homes with Aloha – Keaukaha/ Hilo – Single level 5 bedrooms/2 baths on 21,155 sq ft lot. $450,000 This is a leasehold property -Charmaine I. Quilit Poki (Realtor) (808) 295-4474. RB-15998 Keller Williams Honolulu RB-21303
• Homes with Aloha – Waimanalo Single level 3 bedrooms/1 baths $380,000 Major repairs needed. Lot size 7,525 sq. ft. This is a leasehold property -Charmaine I. Quilit Poki (Realtor) (808) 295-4474. RB-15998 Keller Williams Honolulu RB-21303 .
• Let’s Make Homeownership Happen! I can help with Hawaiian Homestead and residential properties. Let’s talk story! Call/Text Shavon Aluli, Realtor RS-87524 (808) 630-0554. Keller Williams Honolulu RB-21303
• Local families. Local homes. First-time buyer, investor or refinance? Homestead & fee simple solutions available. Call SecurityNational Mortgage 808.823.8050
• Looking for Hawaiian Homestead properties for sale on Oʻahu? Helping clients find their homestead lot with care and Aloha! Call/Text Shavon Aluli, Realtor RS-87524 (808) 630-0554. Keller Williams Honolulu RB-21303.
• Need pet care? I’m a dog walker and pet sitter for both dogs & cats. I love animals, I’m dependable, I have excellent references, and I’m insured. $20 for a one-hour walk; $60/night for overnight stays. Contact Kristin at lokenjodiekristin@gmail.com or 808-446-4233
• Seeking a professional to help guide you through the real estate process? Buying, selling or investing call Charmaine I. Quilit Poki (Realtor) 808.295.4474 RB-15598 Homes with Aloha – Keller Williams Honolulu RB-21303.
• Seeking Trade/Exchange – Maui residential Waiohuli Undivided Interest lease for Maui agricultural lease. Serious inquiries only! Contact Noalani at 808-852-2121 – text ONLY!
• Thinking of Buying or Selling A Home? Call The Expert. Call Charmaine I. Quilit Poki (R) 295- 4474 RB-15998. Keller Williams Honolulu RB-21303. To view current listings, go to my website HomeswithAloha.com. Call, Text or email Charmaine@HomeswithAloha.com to make an appointment to learn more about homeownership. Mahalo nui! Specialize in Fee Simple & Homestead Properties for 40 years.

The post Mākeke | The Marketplace | June 2026 appeared first on Ka Wai Ola.

Honoring the Lives of MMIWGM in Hilo

POL Defends Health Scholarship Program

On May 15, the Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation (NHLC), the Native American Rights Fund (NARF), and Hobbs, Straus, Dean & Walker, LLP filed a motion to intervene on behalf of Papa Ola Lōkahi (POL) in a federal lawsuit brought by the conservative organization Do No Harm to challenge the constitutionality of the Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program (NHHSP).

In recognition of the U.S. government’s trust responsibilities to Native Hawaiians, Congress established the NHHSP more than 30 years ago as part of the Native Hawaiian Health Care Improvement Act to increase the number of Hawaiian health care professionals in medically underserved areas across Hawaiʻi.

“The program exists because Congress recognized a critical need and a trust obligation to address severe healthcare shortages in Native Hawaiian communities,” said Makalika Naholowaa, NHLC executive director.

Papa Ola Lōkahi jointly administers the program with the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration. Since its creation, the program has helped more than 300 scholars pursue health care profession education.

“This program helps strengthen healthcare access in medically underserved communities across Hawaiʻi, and we remain committed to that work,” said Papa Ola Lōkahi CEO Sheri Daniels,

“The U.S. has acknowledged and affirmed its trust responsibility to Native Hawaiians for decades,” added NARF Executive Director John Echohawk. “Defending these promises is a matter of justice and dignity and is critical for the wellbeing of Native communities.”

Two ʻŌiwi Named 2026 FPF Fellows

The First People’s Fund, a national organization dedicated to uplifting Indigenous artists and culture bearers, recently announced their 2026 fellows and two ʻŌiwi are among them: Pua Case was named a Cultural Capital (CC) Fellow, while Nāwāhineokalaʻi Lanzilotti was named a Native Performing Arts (NPA) Fellow.

Case, from Hawaiʻi Island, is a kumu hula, public school teacher and Maunakea kiaʻi. She has interwoven her college education with traditional teachings from her kūpuna. Active in the Maunakea movement for the past decade, Case currently serves as the lead coordinator of Mauna Kea Education and Awareness.

The CC Fellowship offers financial support and guidance to culture bearers and artists rooted in their communities and committed to passing on ancestral knowledge to future generations.

Lanzilotti is a sound artist and director from Mānoa, Oʻahu, and founder of nonprofit Pulse Oceania – an Indigenous performance incubator rooted in aloha ʻāina. Her art explores transformations of sound inspired by the movement of light across the clouds, rain and ʻāina using vocals, electronics and the cello.

The NPA Fellowship helps Native Artists create and perform in theatre, music, dance, etc. It provides network-building, professional development training, and funding to work toward a career in performing arts.

Since 1999, First Peoples Fund has honored over 550 artists, distributing over $10 million. This year, 35 artists in three categories were named FPF fellows, each of whom received a $10,000 grant to pursue their work.

Celebrating Traditional Storytelling

On June 20, the PAʻI Foundation will present a special oral storytelling event, Ola Nā Moʻolelo, featuring Kealoha Kelekolio at the PAʻI Arts & Cultural Center in Kakaʻako.

Long before adopting the Latin writing system introduced to Hawaiʻi by missionaries, our history, stories and genealogies were memorized and carried forward from one generation to the next.

In this vein, Kelekolio, a respected cultural practitioner and storyteller, invites audiences to step into the rich world of Hawaiian oral tradition as he presents an evening of moʻolelo that have been passed down over centuries.

Kelekolio will guide listeners on an immersive journey, bringing to life the epic battle between Pele and her sister, Nāmakaokahaʻi, and captivate them with the fascinating world of kupua – the demi-gods who embody the connection between nature and the divine.

Throughout his career in performing arts – which includes theatre, dance, and Hawaiian cultural education – Kelekolio has performed with Tau Dance Theatre appearing on stages across the continent including Lincoln Center. He also worked as a storyteller at Disney Aulani Resort.

For information or to purchase tickets go to paifoundation.org.

EPA Rejects Hawaiʻi’s Clean Air Plan

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rejected Hawaiʻi’s Regional Haze State Implementation Plan on May 15, illegally overriding the state’s plan to clean up haze-causing pollution from aging oil-burning power plants on Hawaiʻi Island and Maui.

Without the plan in place, 8,500 tons of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides will continue to pollute the air around these plants each year, adversely affecting nearby communities and resulting in dirtier air at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes and Haleakalā national parks.

“This action is another in a string of EPA efforts to keep old, inefficient power plants running no matter the costs to the people and places those facilities harm,” said National Parks Conservation Association Clean Air Program Director Ulla Reeves.

Under the Clean Air Act, states develop plans every 10 years to reduce the haze pollution that obscures views in national parks and wilderness areas. Hawaiian Electric (HECO) proposed, and agreed, to retire plants instead of installing the required pollution controls.

But then in August 2025, HECO reversed course asking the EPA to release it from its commitments, citing speculative “grid reliability” concerns. EPA accepted those claims without independent analysis.

“Once again, the law and facts don’t matter at Trump’s EPA, which would rather protect the fossil fuel industry instead of our environment,” said Isaac Moriwake, managing attorney for Earthjustice’s Mid-Pacific Office.

“What’s worse is that the EPA is letting HECO renege on its own promise to shut down these plants, which are among the costliest, most unreliable plants in the nation.”

“Their legal theory won’t hold up in court, but in the meantime, families will keep breathing the pollution the Clean Air Act was supposed to clean up,” added Abi Vijayan, senior climate attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council.

New ʻŌiwi-Owned Soil Lab Opens in Honolulu

Pieper Named Senior VP at ASB

Billy Pieper has been named senior vice president, director of commercial banking at American Savings Bank (ASB). Pieper has more than 20 years of experience in the financial industry. Prior to joining ASB in 2021, he held positions at Barclays Bank and Bank of Hawaiʻi.

At Kamehameha Schools Kapālama, Pieper was a stand-out athlete in both football and baseball and won a football scholarship to UCLA. After earning his BA, he played minor league baseball for a couple of years, then enrolled at UH Mānoa earning an MBA.

Pieper serves as board chair for Hawaiʻi Community Lending and RiseHI Collective. He also serves on the boards of ʻIolani Palace, Positive Coaching Alliance, and ʻAha Pūnana Leo, and on the advisory council for Housing Hawaiʻis Future.

He has also served on the boards of Pacific Islanders in Communications and Ke Aliʻi Pauahi Foundation, as a Bishop Museum trustee, and a member of the Polynesian Voyaging Society’s advancement committee.

Pieper is an Omidyar Fellow, a Pacific Century Fellow, and in 2024 was named a Hawaiʻi Business magazine “20 for the Next 20” leader.

Lipe Appointed Poʻo Kula of KS Kapālama

Dr. Punihei Lipe has been appointed poʻo kula (headmaster) of Kamehameha Schools Kapālama (KSK) overseeing the 600-acre campus that enrolls some 3,200 haumāna in grades K-12.

She was selected after a rigorous search that spanned months and was informed by input from more than a thousand community members including current haumāna, kumu, parents, and alumni.

Lipe has an extensive background in Hawaiian culture-based education and more than two decades of leadership within the UH system, serving in various roles including: director of Hawaiʻi Papa o ke Ao Native Hawaiian Place of Learning Advancement Office; director of the Institute for Hawaiian Language Research and Translation; and director of the Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation Campus Center.

Her own educational journey began at Pūnana Leo o Honolulu. From there she attended Ke Kula Kaiapuni o Waiau before enrolling at KSK. After graduating, Lipe attended UH Mānoa earning a BA in Hawaiian studies and later a Ph.D. in educational administration. She also holds a master’s degree in counseling psychology from Chaminade University. She begins her new role on June 15.

Award-Winning Film From ʻŌiwi Producer Lucero

Paper Bag Plan, an independent film from Blue Sun Pictures produced by Executive Producer Keʻalohi Lee Lucero, and written and directed by her husband, Anthony Lucero, is now streaming internationally.

The film has won 17 awards on the film festival circuit and was screened at Consolidated Theatres at Ward in September 2025. The poignant and moving drama tells the story of a terminally ill father who teaches his wheelchair-bound adult son to bag groceries in preparation for a life of independence once he is gone.

Lucero grew up in Kaʻaʻawa on Oʻahu, graduated from Kamehameha Schools Kapālama and went on to UH Mānoa earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees in communication. While attending school she interned at Hawaiʻi Public Television and eventually become the station’s youngest director.

After college, she moved to the continent to pursue a career in the film industry, starting as an assistant editor on Baywatch Hawaiʻi and eventually working her way up to co-executive producer of America’s Got Talent.

Paper Bag Plan can be viewed on Amazon Prime, YouTube, Google Play, and iTunes.

Race Honors Late Waterman Kalā Kukea

McClellan Named 2026 Communicator of the Year

Makana McClellan, director of communications for Gov. Josh Green since 2022, has been named the 2026 Communicator of the Year by the National Association of Government Communicators (NAGC). She is the first person from Hawaiʻi to receive this honor.

NAGC advances excellence in government communications across federal, state, county, local, military and tribal governments, and recognizes leaders who demonstrate innovation, professionalism and exceptional service in public sector communications.

McClellan leads external communications for the governor’s office, coordinating with public information officers across every department in the executive branch. Under her leadership, a more unified statewide communications network has been established, improving coordination and consistency across agencies.

Prior to working for the governor, McClellan held positions at Shriners Children’s Hospital and The Queen’s Health Systems.

A graduate of Kamehameha Schools Kapālama, she has a BA in journalism from Hawaiʻi Pacific University and an MBA from Chaminade. She served on the state Board of Education for four years, was recognized in 2025 with a President’s Leadership Award from PRSA Hawaiʻi, and received a Women Who Mean Business award from Pacific Business News in 2020.

Feds Reverse NH Education Cuts – For Now

Following a request by Sen. Brian Schatz in early May, U.S. DOE Secretary Linda McMahon has agreed to keep Native Hawaiian educational programs fully funded for at least another year.

Some $46 million in federal money that Schatz, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, previously secured in Congress is guaranteed to continue funding more than 60 early childhood education sites across Hawaiʻi, along with home visiting programs for keiki under 5, workforce development for parents, and Hawaiian language immersion programs. These programs serve more than 3,000 families.

“This is good news for Hawaiʻi,” said Schatz. “This money helps thousands of young kids develop learning skills and gives Native Hawaiian families more affordable child care options.”

The looming threat of federal funding cuts put a number of Native Hawaiian programs at risk – including the popular Tūtū and Me program operated by nonprofit Partners in Development Foundation (PIDF). In April the organization announced the closure of 17 of its 25 sites.

In a formal statement in response to the May 7 announcement, PIDF CEO Shawn Kanaʻiaupuni expressed gratitude to Schatz but cautioned, “we still do not know how much funding will ultimately be released, when funds would become available, or whether PIDF will receive the support necessary to sustain all current programs, staffing, and sites.

OHA Trustees Visit Maui and Kauaʻi

During the month of May, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) Board of Trustees and select staff traveled to the islands of Maui and Kauaʻi for the organization’s first two annual island community meetings of 2026. While on Maui during the week of May 4, trustees traveled upcountry to the Waiohuli Community Center on Hawaiian Homes Land in Kula, and also visited the Maui Arts & Cultural Center (MACC) in Kahului – described as the artistic and educational heart of the community. In the top photo, MACC President and CEO Art Vento provided OHA with a personalized tour of the center. During the week of May 11, trustees traveled to Kauaʻi. There, they had the opportunity to visit the Peʻe Kauaʻi Farm Site on the west side of the island managed by nonprofit Kumano i ke Ala which serves as a community space for cultural education and kalo farming. They also visited the Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) at Barking Sands, where they were met by Kaulana Mossman, PMRF community planning liaison officer, and a small hui of PMRF staff. In the bottom photo, Kauaʻi and Niʻihau Trustee Dan Ahuna spoke briefly to the group about Native Hawaiian concerns relative to the military’s land stewardship and questions around whether military bases make Hawai’i more – or less – safe. – Photos: Nelson Gaspar

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