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About Ka'uikiokapō

Our Legacy

Founded in 1998 under the guidance of Kumu Hula Al MakahinuBarcarse, Kiawekūpono O Ka Ua embodies a deep-rooted commitment to preserving and perpetuating Native Hawaiian cultural knowledge. Situated in Honokai Hale, our hālau draws inspiration from the vibrant landscapes of O‘ahu’sWai‘anae Coast and ‘Ewa moku.

To lead, To promote, and To ensure.

Our Vision

Ka’uikiokapo strives to lead our community in the perpetuation of cultural knowledge to malama our home.

Our Mission

Our goal is to promote cultural preservation through community engagement.

Our Purpose

We are called to ensure that future generations may know and appreciate the heritage of Hawai’i.

Our History

Founded on November 1, 1998, under the guidance of Kumu Hula Al Makahinu Barcarse, Kiawekūpono O Ka Ua proudly continues a lineage deeply rooted in traditional Native Hawaiian cultural teachings. Situated in Honokai Hale on O‘ahu’sWai‘anae Coast and ‘Ewa moku, our hālau is nurtured by the natural elements of our homeland.

From its inception, our hālau has been dedicated to preserving and sharing ancestral knowledge passed down through many generations of cultural teachers. We honor our heritage through ‘uniki ceremonies and uphold our cultural traditions centered on ‘ohana (family). Our commitment extends beyond local boundaries, as we engage in cultural exchanges worldwide, promoting understanding and social justice.
Join us in celebrating the rich history of HālauKiawekūpono O Ka Ua—a sanctuary of Hawaiian wisdom amidst the sea, sun, winds, and rains of O‘ahu, fostering a legacy that continues to inspire and educate.

Our Advocacy

Ka’uikiokapō is a Native Hawaiian Organization founded by the members of Hālau Kiawekūpono O Ka Ua. It is based out of Honokai Hale, a close-knit community located in the foothills of Pūkaua below Pu’u Manawahua and Mauna Kapu of the Wai’anae Mountains, along the Wai’anae Coast near the waters of Waiku’i and the plain of Kaupe’a in the area of Waimānalo on the west side of Honouliuli, ‘Ewa, O’ahu.

At the Local level, Ka’uikiokapō leads in aloha ‘āina efforts, restoring the endangered plant sinkhole sanctuary of Kīpuka O Kahinahina; protecting the fishing shrine of Kuehukahe; and helping the NHO, Ho’ōla Hāni’o, in rehabilitating the traditional fishing grounds of Hāni’o. Ka’uikiokapō continues to identify other wahi kupuna in our area that need mālama, inviting the community to do the good work together and teaching about the area under the guidance of their hālau.

At the State and Federal levels, Ka’uikiokapō supports laws, regulations, and policies that aid in benefitting our natural, archaeological, and cultural resources, preserving our tangible and intangible heritage, especially those of our Native Hawaiian, other Indigenous, and minority communities, as seen in our work with the University of Hawai’i’s Office of Indigenous Knowledge and Innovation; the Indigenous Chamoru Organization, Adahi I Manaotao-ta Mona; and The Implementation Project of the Native American Rights Fund with the University of Colorado Law School, to name a few. At the International level, Ka’uikiokapō actively participates in various bodies of the United Nations, such as the UNFCCC Conference of Parties and its Facilitative Working Group of the LCIPP; the WIPO’s IGC for the protection of Intellectual Property, Traditional Knowledge, Genetic Resources, and Folklore, to include the protection of Traditional Cultural Expressions; and the UN’s Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.

Stepping back from the global, national, and community spaces of interaction, at the heart of it all is the family unit, both immediate and extended, which Ka’uikiokapō holds sacred. It is from this most basic unit of relationships that caring individuals are molded, who in turn, endeavor to care for those outside themselves. The sense of family is vital. 
Mālama mai, mālama aku; 
A laila, hiki ke aloha kekahi i kekahi; 
Na Ke Akua e alaka’i i ka pono.

Core People

William Kahula O’Brien

President

William Kahula O’Brien was born and raised on the Waiʻanae Coast and is connected to several family farms in the Mākaha and Waiʻanae valleys. From his family and community he learned the values of Aloha ʻĀina and continues to carry this knowledge throughout his life. He received a bachelor’s degree in Geography from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa with a focus on the Pacific Islands and East Asia. And due to his involvement supporting the sustainable agriculture movement from an early age, he received a grant to study community-based farming techniques in the Scottish Hebrides in 2012. After a brief stint teaching English as a second language in Spain and China between 2012-2014, he continued his agricultural experience in California from 2015-2020. During this time, he enrolled in the master’s program in Geographic Information Science at San Francisco State University where he studied the carbon sequestration potential in natural ecosystems. His current work is in GIS data management and research where he focuses on environmental health and protection throughout the Pacific region. His commitment to his home on the westside of Oʻahu continues to this day as he helps to preserve the cultural and environmental landscape in the Waiʻanae and ʻEwa moku and remains connected to the family and community he loves there.
Shannon Kama’ehuahunui Maria is a  cultural practitioner and musician from the ‘Ewa and Wai’anae moku. 

“Aloha ‘āina & mālama kai is important. Not much people ever think about it, realize it, or even know how important it really is. It’s not just our resources, but it’s our sources of life, to survive, and thrive. We eat from both ‘āina and kai, we drink the wai of the ‘āina. If we don’t mālama ‘āina and kai enough, all our resources will be wiped out. Therefore, we won’t survive nor the future generation. If not now, it will later. If not us, then who? Like the old saying goes, the ‘āina is our oldest ancestor, therefore our elder. We all have to take care of our elders because they take care of us. We need to take care of our ‘āina and kai as they take care of us.”
– Kama’ehu
 
 

Shannon Kama'ehuahunui Maria

Sgt-At-Arms

Daniel Kaleo Kahoʻonei

Vice President

Joseph Acho’ Kāmau Blas

Treasurer

Cultural Stewardship

At our core, we are dedicated to nurturing cultural traditions through education and practice. We honor the teachings passed down through generations, ensuring they thrive in today’s world. Our community-centric approach fosters unity and resilience, guided by the principles of mālama and aloha.

Global Impact

Beyond our local community, HālauKiawekūpono O Ka Ua engages in cultural exchanges worldwide. We believe in the power of shared humanity and advocate for social justice, acknowledging historical injustices while promoting understanding and harmony among all peoples.

Join Us

We welcome you to our ‘ohana. Please see our contact page.

Meet Our Kumu

Leading our hālau is Kumu Dietrix Jon Ulukoa Duhaylonsod, whose passion and expertise drive our mission forward. With a deep reverence for Hawaiian heritage, Kumu Dietrix inspires us to embody the values of pono (righteousness) and mana (spiritual power) in all we do.

About HālauKiawekūpono O Ka Ua

About Ka'uikiokapō

Our Legacy

Founded in 1998 under the guidance of Kumu Hula Al MakahinuBarcarse, HālauKiawekūpono O Ka Ua embodies a deep-rooted commitment to preserving and perpetuating Native Hawaiian cultural knowledge. Situated in Honokai Hale, our hālau draws inspiration from the vibrant landscapes of O‘ahu’sWai‘anae Coast and ‘Ewa moku.

Our Vision

Our vision at Ka’uikiokapo is to lead in the perpetuation of cultural knowledge, nurturing our community through dedicated care and stewardship.

Our Mission

At the heart of Ka’uikiokapo lies the purpose to ensure that future generations cherish and appreciate the profound legacy of Hawaii. Through education, advocacy, and inclusive cultural practices, we strive to safeguard our cultural heritage for generations to come.

Our Purpose

At the heart of Ka’uikiokapo lies the purpose to ensure that future generations cherish and appreciate the profound legacy of Hawaii. Through education, advocacy, and inclusive cultural practices, we strive to safeguard our cultural heritage for generations to come.

Our History

Founded on November 1, 1998, under the guidance of Kumu Hula Al MakahinuBarcarse, HālauKiawekūpono O Ka Ua proudly continues a lineage deeply rooted in traditional Native Hawaiian cultural teachings. Situated in Honokai Hale on O‘ahu’sWai‘anae Coast and ‘Ewa moku, our hālau is nurtured by the natural elements of our homeland.
From its inception, our hālau has been dedicated to preserving and sharing ancestral knowledge passed down through many generations of cultural teachers. We honor our heritage through ‘uniki ceremonies and uphold our cultural traditions centered on ‘ohana (family). Our commitment extends beyond local boundaries, as we engage in cultural exchanges worldwide, promoting understanding and social justice.
Join us in celebrating the rich history of HālauKiawekūpono O Ka Ua—a sanctuary of Hawaiian wisdom amidst the sea, sun, winds, and rains of O‘ahu, fostering a legacy that continues to inspire and educate.

Core People

William Kahula O’Brien

President

Daniel Kaleo Kahoʻonei

Vice President

Joseph Acho’ Kāmau Blas

Treasurer

Cultural Stewardship

At our core, we are dedicated to nurturing cultural traditions through education and practice. We honor the teachings passed down through generations, ensuring they thrive in today’s world. Our community-centric approach fosters unity and resilience, guided by the principles of mālama and aloha.

Global Impact

Beyond our local community, HālauKiawekūpono O Ka Ua engages in cultural exchanges worldwide. We believe in the power of shared humanity and advocate for social justice, acknowledging historical injustices while promoting understanding and harmony among all peoples.

Join Our Ohana

Whether you’re interested in learning traditional hula, engaging in community service, or simply exploring Hawaiian culture, HālauKiawekūpono O Ka Ua welcomes you with open arms. Discover how you can contribute to preserving our heritage and shaping a more inclusive future.

Meet Our Kumu

Leading our hālau is Kumu Dietrix Jon UlukoaDuhaylonsod, whose passion and expertise drive our mission forward. With a deep reverence for Hawaiian heritage, Kumu Dietrix inspires us to embody the values of pono (righteousness) and mana (spiritual power) in all we do.

SPREAD THE MESSAGE

Mentions matter! Tell your friends, family and colleagues that you have spoken up for climate action. Ask them to do the same. The more we speak up, the more world leaders know how to act.

Climate crisis is happening NOW and we need action FAST. That’s why I just sent a message to #DearWorldLeaders. Go to https://dearworldleaders.org to view it. Let’s speak up to protect our future!

Join Us

Explore our commitment to cultural preservation and community engagement. Whether you’re new to our traditions or a seasoned practitioner, we invite you to discover the spirit of aloha at HālauKiawekūpono O Ka Ua.

Dive deeper into our heritage and initiatives through Ka’uikiokapo and Ho’olaHani’o. Visit our pages to understand our broader impact and how you can get involved.