Kamaliʻi on Kauaʻi Share their Manaʻo—After Working in the ʻĀina 2024-10-11 Kamaliʻi on Kauaʻi Share their Manaʻo—After Working in the ʻĀinaA group of teenagers recently trekked across Kauaʻi to remove invasive species and restore the ʻāina to its natural state. Along the way, the teens learned about the island’s history and traditional ways of their kūpuna. The program, organized by Liliʻuokalani Trust for the youth of Kīpuka Kauaʻi, was called Mōhala i ka wai ka maka o ka pua. (Translation: "Flowers thrive where there is water, as thriving people are found where living conditions are good.” (Pukui, 1983, #2178)The teens cared for the land, fed animals, learned about ahupuaʻa systems, and listened to the moʻolelo of community members whose ancestors thrived on Kauaʻi for generations.They also spent several days at cultural sites like Kumano I Ke Ala in Waimea, Hui Maka’ainana o Makana in Hā’ena, and Mālama Hulēʻia in Niumalu.For many, it was their first experience with Hawaiian culture and hands-on work in the land. Here are some of their thoughts and manaʻo: “ “ “Even though we got dirty from the mud and the dirt, it was a great experience for us at Kumano I Ke Ala, and I felt proud about what we did.” “ “ “One day, I chose to focus on the word kōkua. Kōkua means to help. I think I represented kōkua that week.” “ “ “ “ “I learned that pigs can get really, really big! We fed them sugar cane, and I think they liked that better than banana leaf.” The Mōhala program is one of many opportunities at the Trust for Hawaiian youth ages 0-26, to grow, learn, and thrive. Additionally, the Trust maintains its long-term vision, “Wehe ke ala 2045,” to help strengthen the spiritual, emotional, and cultural identity of the youth it serves.As the program wrapped up, the teens said that they gained a better understanding of Kauaʻi and a stronger sense of their own cultural identities.Shared one participant, “My favorite part of the program was introducing ourselves in Hawaiian using proper words and sentences.”