We are a community-led organization committed to land reclamatioin and sustainability through traditional stewardship, agroecological management, and cultural practices.
Our mission is to restore the ea (life, spiritual force) of the land, water, and its people— ʻāina. We believe that this is done through upholding Native Hawaiian traditions in order to address our present social, environmental, and economic challenges.
We promote traditional natural resource management practices, environmental & social justice, and the perpetuation of ʻike kūpuna (wisdom of elders) as stewards of Waikāne Nature Park, in partnership with the City and County of Honolulu.
Our goal is to preserve and regenerate full ahupuaʻa (natural watershed), a vital biological and cultural resource for Hawaiʻi— a puʻuhonua for the Native Hawaiian identity and culture.
Our Story
Hoʻi Hoʻi Ea (HHE), founded by Uncle Keoki “Kaloman” Fukumitsu, a seventh-generation mahiʻai kalo (taro farmer), is committed to preserving indigenous rights and reviving traditional agricultural practices.
Our mission is deeply rooted in fostering a connection with the land through cultivating traditional crops like kalo, Hāloa, and stewarding important estuaries in order to renew our aquifers, aquaculture stocks, and fisheries— embodying the indigenous identity or “rootedness.”
Uncle Keoki Fukumitsu, one of the original members of the Hakipu’u ‘Ohana in the Waiāhole case, is a well-known and respected advocate, activist, organizer, and kumu mahiaʻai kalo (taro farmer, expert, and educator) whose family has resided in the Koʻolaupoko region for over seven generations. His ʻohana (family) have been cultural and environmental kiaʻi (protectors) to the region for generations, a kuleana (responsibility) that continues with his children & grandchildren.
Uncle Keoki Fukumitsu has experienced first-hand the hope of the movement, but the struggles in resisting the erasure of his culture through political and economic dispossession. His legacy and a long life of lessons led to the vision of a puʻuhonua (refuge, sanctuary) for himself, and others, in need of a space to connect with ʻāina, spiritual healing through connection with our environment. A place to preserve and pass-on the cultural repository for millennia of science and knowledge, but place to heal and provide for resilience.
News & Upcoming Events
Puʻuhonua O Waikāne
Ho'i Ho'i Ea (HHE)'s flagship program, the Pu’uhonua o Waikāne, or Waikāne Nature Park, epitomizes the concept of pu’uhonua in Native Hawaiian tradition—a sanctuary for healing, resilience, and the renewal of our commitment to socio-cultural values, our role in community, and the kuleana (responsibilities) that some with that. This sacred place serves as a focal point for rejuvenating our relationship with the land and embracing the kuleana (responsibility) that accompanies it.
Learn more about the program here…
Koʻolau Kūpuna Council
The Koʻolau Kūpuna Council, currently in its formative stages, is a kūpuna-led initiative designed to serve as a regional advisory resource. Unlike specific kūpuna councils that advise a single organization, this council is inspired by the Waiʻanae Moku Kūpuna Council. The latter is recognized by the State of Hawaiʻi as a key advisory body for legislators, government officials, public institutions, and the broader community. Beyond its advisory role, the Koʻolau Kūpuna Council is a community group dedicated to preserving regional environmental, events, and community knowledge; the Waiʻanae Moku Kūpuna Council's success in addressing and resolving community issues stems from its deep understanding of the environment, neighborhoods, and residents.
Learn more about the program here…
Our People
Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors reflects a traditional educational structure, comprising Kūpuna (elders), Mākua (adults), and later Keiki (youth). This structure ensures continuity in cultural, environmental, and regional knowledge, essential for our mission of aloha ‘āina.
Fukumitsu, one of the original members of the Hakipu’u ‘Ohana in the Waiāhole case, is a well-known and respected advocate, activist, organizer and and kumu mahiaʻai kalo whose family has resided in the Koʻolaupoko region for over seven generations. His knowledge of these traditions was passed from Keoki Fukumitusʻ mother, Victoria Sheldon, his grandmother Jennie Kaiʻalau Fukumitsu, paternal grandfather, George Sebastian, maternal grandfather Glen Sheldon, great grandfather Ruisuki Fukumitsu. Fukumitsu was appointed to the statesʻ Taro Purity and Security Task Force, he has also advised on various Taro Projects for UH Mānoa, Windward Community College, Kauaʻi Community College, Native Hawaiian Advisory Council, and on the Kawainui Marsh Opolu Heiau Project.
Sinenci, also known as Kumu Palani, is a native of Hāna, Maui. Sinenci has dedicated his second career to reviving kūkulu hale (traditional Hawaiian architecture) and uhau humu pōhaku (masonry). Hale, traditional thatched structures, come in various forms, each designed to harmonize with Hawaii's unique landscapes. For over 25 years, Sinenci, a Master Indigenous Architect, has trained a new generation of practitioners, built numerous hale, and restored sacred sites across Hawai‘i. His contributions include the establishment of the Indigenous Architecture Building Code, a hale builder certification program, and the founding of Hālau Hale Kuhikuhi, a traditional school. Sinenci remains active in training future generations and leading projects throughout Hawai‘i.
Kakoʻo | Board Members
Keoki “Kaloman” Fukumitsu, President
Francis Palani Sinenci
Thomas “Tommy” Montgomery
Uncle Tommy is a lifelong resident of Ko‘olaupoko O‘ahu. He has provided mālama and farming support to Waikāne for nearly 3 years, alongside Uncle Keoki Fukumitsu. He has served a critical role in supporting building relationships with the Valleyʻs residents and other stakeholders.
Kahekiliokanalu “Kahekili” Puhipau
Kaheikili Puhipau is a lineal descendant of the Ko’olaupoko region. He is a core member of Hui Aloha ʻĀina Chapter, Ka Lei Maile Aliʻi (KLMA). KLMA has provided mālama and farming support to Waikāne for nearly 3 years. Kehekiliokanalu Puhipau is the proud grandson of the late Abraham Puhipau Ahmad, a celebrated documentary filmmaker and a patriot of the Hawaiian Kingdom. As the grandson of Puhipau, Kehekiliokanalu carries forward the legacy of his grandfather's dedication to the Hawaiian people and their rich history and culture, with his own expertise in cultural practices and places. Kahekili supports our current working days, and will be expanding our ‘āina experience to plan and host additional educational workdays on the site.
Kara Kelai
Kara Kelai is a community organizer, cultural practitioner, and co-founder of Ka Lei 'Āina Ali'i, an organization dedicated to cultural service work and learning in honor of Queen Lili'uokalani4. She is also a steward of genealogy and the Ku'e Petitions, which collected the signatures of over 38,000 Native Hawaiians in opposition to the U.S. annexation of Hawaii12. Kara Kelai is assisting in organizing community outreach and current workdays on the site, she is the president of Hui Aloha ʻĀina Chapter, Ka Lei Maile Aliʻi (KLMA). KLMA has provided mālama and farming support to Waikāne for nearly 3 years.
Hiʻiaka Jardine
Hi'iaka Jardine is a dedicated public servant and community advocate based in Ahuimanu, Hawaii.Before her current role, Hi'iaka was a Civil Engineering undergraduate student at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. She is also a cofounder of Ko’olau Kaiāulu another non-profit restoring a historic plot of lo’i kalo (taro patch) terracing in Ahuimanu’s residential neighborhood. Jardine lends her network and experience with the local civic bodies to HHE’s work, to advocate on behalf of the aligned missions of our two bodies.
In coming Board Members
Tapu Hanapi
Jahn is supporting the ongoing land preparation for both Waikāne and Whitmore projects. Jahn, a graduate of UH West Oʻahuʻs Sustainable Community Food System program, runs an educational farming center in Kūkaniloko: ʻĀina Kaiāulu, and he is the Educational Specialist with UHWO SCFS As a board-member he is leading outreach and coordination with educational institutions such as KUPU and UHWO to set up internships and practicums at HHE project sites. Additionally, Jahn is leading military outreach for Waikāne, to initiative workdays for community and cultural introduction for incoming marines; this program is modeled after a cultural briefing program on his educational farming center, ‘Āina Kaiāulu, hosts for incoming army.
Brian “Ioane” Jahn
Partners
Ian Masterson
Staff
Jasmine Slovak, Executive Director
Slovak is a keiki o ka ‘āina from Maunalua. She assists in the funding development of the organization, At HHE, Slovak is responsible for developing and managing the various funding streams: grant-writing, development, and compliance. Additionally, she is leading the program development and expansion for the organization.
