Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 40, Number 10, 1 October 2023 — Kīpuni Aloka no Maui [ARTICLE]

Kīpuni Aloka no Maui

On September 1, Kīpuni Aloha no Maui (embrace beloved Maui) engaged communities across the pae 'āina for a day-long vigil in support of Maui. It was a day centered on emotional and spiritual healing and, while rooted in Native Hawaiian practices, it was inclusive of leaders from diverse faiths. Coordinated by the Hawai'i Executive Collaborative (HCE), the vigil included sunrise, noon and sunset ceremonies across the pae 'āina. Formal ceremonies on Maui, Moloka'i, O'ahu, Kaua'i and Hawai'i Island were streamed live online and on TV. While thousands have stepped up to generously provide hnaneial and other resources to the survivors of the wildfires, many in the community expressed a deep eoncern for the emotional and spiritual health and wellbeing of the people of Maui and all Hawai'i. In response, Maui Kumu Hula Hōkūlani Holt, a core team member of HEC's Rediscovering Hawai'i's Soul (RHS) initiative, met with HEC Chairman Duane Kurisu and HEC's RHS Executive Lead Kamana'opono Crabbe. Together they reached out to leaders in the Native Hawaiian, faith-based, business and nonprofīt eommunities, and state and county governments, about the need to create a space for all of Hawai'i to grieve and heal. "Kīpuni Aloha no Maui was created to support the emotional and spiritual healing for the great loss that so many are suffering from on Maui. It was an opportunity for Hawai'i to eome together for a day that was rooted in Native Hawaiian practices and engaged leaders from diverse faiths, sectors, and baclcgrounds," said Kurisu. The vigil was a huge endeavor, organized in a very short space of time. In addition to Holt and Crabbe, Hawaiian cultural advisors involved in the planning included John De Fries, Mehanaokalā Hind, Pualani Kanahele, Kau'i Kanaka'ole, Makalapua Kanuha, Kehaulani Kekua, Kahu Kenneth Makuakāne, Miki'ala Pescaia and former Gov. John Waihe'e. Leaders from Lahaina who helped coordinate the noon and sunset vigils for their community included Archie Kalepa, Oralani Koa, Kaliko Storer and many others. HCE estimates that more than 2,000 people attended puhlie ceremonies on the five major islands. In addition, more than 65 additional gatherings were coordinated by various churches, businesses, community groups and organizations. Online, more than 65,000 watched the livestreamed vigils on YouTube and Facebook. To view the sunrise, noon and sunset ceremonies eonducted on Maui or to watch the video, Love for Maui, whieh aired during the sunset ceremony, go to: www. hawaiisoul.org/ maui/.