On the beautiful morning of September 2, 2018, I was granted the chance to experience a once in a lifetime opportunity. With the Girls Kamehameha Kapālama Varsity Team, we woke up bright and early after our tournament and took a long drive beginning from Keaʻau to Waipiʻo Valley. We had no clue what to expect, although we were all very excited. Most importantly, I was excited to be able to experience something I have never before. My coach and the mālama honua teacher, Christopher Blake, had somewhat explained what it would be like but I never thought I would have felt the way I did when I stepped onto that land. You know that warm feeling you get when someone you love gives you a big hug? Or when you feel the presence of one of your loved ones who have passed away? It was almost like that. As we drove down the steep cliff, it was like I time traveled back to ancient Hawaiʻi. I took one breathe, and I could immediately feel the warmth of my ancestors. For once in my life, I truly felt connected to my roots, to my culture, to my ancestors. For once in my life, it was as if I was exactly where I was suppose to be, exactly at the right time, knowing I was going to contribute to something bigger than myself. I took a look at all the land, then at the family that took care of it. After working one full day, I was completely exhausted; I wondered, in all honesty, how could they do it? I wondered how did my ancestors do this everyday of their lives?
That day we had many tasks we completed. We split into groups. Some of us pulls weeds out of the loʻi's that were dry due to the storm that had recently wiped everything out. Others of us helped by using the piles of green waste as a fence/barrier along the stream to stop intruders from entering their land. Next we all worked as one to rebuild the wall which helped to guide water from the mountains through the po'owai into the kalo patches. It may not sound like a lot, although it took over 25 people to not fully complete these tasks in a full day of work. In that day, we also had to tell people that the land was private property. A lot of people thought it was just land they could walk on and explore on. They felt it was public land, but in reality it was private land that belongs to our ancestors. After we were complete it was satisfying to immediately see the difference. As we hiked back to the beginning we passed the lo'i's that were dry when we had entered, but as we left, water began to enter into it. That feeling was the best feeling. To actually see the difference we had made. It really shows that by doing something small, you can have a big impact. Yes, I've worked in a loʻi patch before. Yes, I've felt connected to my ancestors before. The answer is yes. Although, I've never felt this way when I've connected with my ancestors before. Not once have I experienced such satisfying discomfort in my naʻau. Not once have I ever experienced something like this; connecting with my ancestors, working in the exact land of my ancestors, truly connecting with my roots. I hope that one day, every single one of you will get to experience something like this. It doesn't have to involve a loʻi or anything Hawaiian; I just hope one day you can truly feel connected with your roots, your culture.