Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 27, Number 10, 1 October 2010 — New book on Maui loʻi restoration has real-life roots [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

New book on Maui loʻi restoration has real-life roots

By Francine Murray KaWai Ola magine Maui of old, its rich landscape shimmering in a dance of green kalo reaching for the sun across acres from Waikapū to Waihe'e. The hearth of the Valley Isle, "breadbasket" or shall we say, 'umeke poi of the Islands included more than 1,800 lo'i. It was the largest agricultural kalo region in ancient Hawai'i. A self-sufficient loeal community that flourished without imported sustenance. Oh, what a vision. If only we could connect to the past and bring a bit of that historic life back to the land. But how? How do you fulfill a dream? Step by step. In little steps, with many helping hands. A delightful new book, Unele Kawaiola's Dream, shares the tale of this dream coming true, the rebuilding of a taro farm in Maui. The children's bookcomes to life with the vibrant paintings by acclaimed Hawaiian mythology artist Linda Rowell Stevens and the charming timely tale by

Maui professor, author and kalo farmer Victor Pellegrino. "No dream comes without challenges," saidPellegrino. "For us, these challenges although unfortunate in regards to our water source, has actually been a positive one as we build stronger relationships within our Waikapū and Maui community." Currently, about 96 percent of the water of Waikapū Stream is diverted for commercial and other use. But slowly a few lo'i kalo, irrigated terraces where taro grow, have been rebuilt. "We always tell students that if they work hard,

believe in what they do and take the 'right' small steps, they will achieve that dream." The story teaches traditional Hawaiian values like the eommunity coming together to help one family clear the land and reconstruct the lo'i and the klpapa stone walls as it was done it the past. A resource for keiki and adult alike, the book also includes a Hawaiian-English glossary explaining all the Hawaiian words used throughout the publication, like the definition of Waikapū, the first of four ahupua'a at the base of the West Maui Mountains. Why do you think Unele Kawaiola's dream story inspired people who heard it? What do passion and hard work have to do with achieving your dreams? For added learning, a study guide is built-in. "We enjoy seeing the cultural landscape eome alive again," saidPellegrino. Share the dream. Piek up a copy for yourself and the keiki in your life. Unele Kawaiola's Dream: A Hawaiian Story is available at Borders, Barnes & Nohle and Costco. ■

O'ahu book signings Sat., Nov. 6 12-1 p.m. at Borders, Ward Centers 3:30-5:30 p.m. at Barnes & Noble, Kāhala Mall 7-9 p.m. at Barnes & Nohle, Ala Moana Center Sun., Nov. 7 3-5 p.m. at Native Books/ Nā Mea Hawai'i, Ward Warehouse

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j NĀPUKE ^ > B00KS /

Unele Kawaiola's Dream : A Hawaiian Story ByVictorC. Pellegrino lllustrated by Linela Rowell Stevens Maui arThoughts Co. 32 pages $18.95 hardcover

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