La‘i‘opua 2020 announces a new program for families interested in having a cultural experience surrounding the Hawaiian tradition of hand-carving a papa ku’i ‘ai (board for pounding kalo) and a pohaku ku‘i ‘ai (stone kalo pounder).
The program, which commences Dec. 3, is geared toward a family experience; at its end, each ohana will have created a board and stone, which will last them a lifetime. The class will be taught by: Keahi Tomas, a mahi‘ai kalo, educator and wood worker, who learned this concept of ohana building through the papa and pohaku of Kumu Earl Kawa‘a. Kawa‘a coined the phrase, “one board, one stone in every home.” Keahi will be assisted by Kamuela Meheula, mahi‘ai kalo and ‘aina based educator, and Kekoa Kaho‘onei, an aloha ‘aina educator and carver.
Funded by a Hawaii Community Foundation CHANGE grant, La‘i‘opua 2020 Executive Director Kawehi Inaba describes the Board and Stone program as a way of bringing families together in a safe environment for learning and empowerment.
“It’s an opportunity for parents and children, kupuna, aunties and uncles, brothers and sisters to share a culturally profound and meaningful experience,” she said, adding that one of the program goals is to assist the ohana to “strengthen their commitment as a family and ultimately their commitment to serving their communities.”
Cost for the program is $20. A $150 refundable deposit also applies and participants must attend each of the six half-day sessions. Sessions will be held at La‘i‘opua 2020 (74-5210 Keanalehu Dr., Kailua-Kona) and other locations related to the program.
La‘i‘opua 2020 is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide social, recreational, vocational, economic, educational, and cultural opportunities and infrastructure to Native Hawaiians to include the communities of the Kealakehe ahupua‘a.For more details on the program and to register, visit laiopua.org/board-stone.