Uluniu updates from the UH West Oʻahu coconut wireless!

Well, itʻs that time again … to plan for our Summer, and to relish the growth of both ourselves and our uluniu (coconut grove) here at UH West Oʻahu. But first, some things to share:

 

1. We are expanding the support and work of our Aloha ʻĀina Student Club! Please see three pictures, below, of the work that Jesse, Iʻiwileo, Joe Ramos, and Tasia Yamamura did today to support a UH Mānoa club dedicated to aloha ʻāina: Ka Lau o Ka Lāhui! They came today to work on ʻapu sent to us by beloved Kunani Nihipali from Molokaʻi. It was a lovely day filled with the moaʻe breeze, good shade, great tools, and some awesome conversations. We are enjoying this collaboration of these two student clubs to honor the expansion of our collective work. Mahalo to all who made this workshop a true extension of aloha. Mahalo to Iʻiwileo Pacarro and Jesse Mikasobe Kealiinohomoku for helping the Aloha ‘Āina Student Club continue to evolve, reach out, and grow. Today was a significant expression of the inevitable expansion of our initial dream to focus on the love of land and the service to people. 

 

 

2. Nius Flash!! We are developing the Uluniu Student Club with Kehau (Jahnna) Kahele-Madali at the kahuʻāina helm so we can continue to support the expansion of the Aloha ʻĀina Club to go into our communities, develop pilina with others, and also so we can focus on the work needed in our beloved uluniu. Kehau will be with us this summer working in the uluniu to keep an eye out for CRB and to mālama all niu + ulu along with the companion plants. Mahalo Kehau for helping us focus on this kaupapa, and for the joy we feel as you mālama this space. 

 

3. Indrajit Gunasekara and Kaui Sana of MAʻO are heading to Fiji (Indrajit is then going to Suva) this Sunday May 7 for a Pacific Niu Conference! Please see two photos, below. They will be meeting the infamous Dr. Roland Bourdeix and will completely geek out on coconuts! We received funding from the 7th Generation Funds and from Audrey Kitagawa for this trip. They are going to learn and collaborate with niu practitioners dedicated to niu diversity gene-banking, ʻike niu, and to the pest issues they are working through. We hope Indrajit and Kaui will come home changed, rejuvenated, and with some great tales of their adventures with niu friends.