Lānaʻi Youth Lead through Culture and Community

July 2025 — This summer, the 13th Annual E ʻIke Hou iā Lānaʻi Cultural Literacy Program brought together teens for a deeply enriching, place-based learning journey. Designed to nurture the next generation of island ambassadors, the program empowers Lānaʻi youth to carry forward the stories, traditions and values that define their home. At its heart, the program encourages students to grow as keepers of legacy, gaining a deeper understanding of Lānaʻi’s history, people and land. The 2025 theme, Hanohano Lānaʻi, celebrated the relationship between people and place—a reminder that aloha ʻāina is both a privilege and a responsibility.

Learning From the Past: Wisdom of the Kūpuna

One of the most meaningful moments of the program came through talk story sessions with Lānaʻi kūpuna, who graciously shared their knowledge of old Lānaʻi—a time of tight-knit communities, resilience and connection to ʻāina. Uncle Albert Halapē Morita, Aunty Pam Alconcel, Aunty Jonona Kaopuiki Alconcel, Uncle Melvin Catiel and Uncle Brad Oshiro offered heartfelt stories that helped students see their identity and kuleana in a new light. These intergenerational exchanges were more than history lessons—they were gifts of legacy.

Culture in Action: Mele, Oli and the ʻĀina

Throughout the program, students studied and practiced mele and oli unique to Lānaʻi, connecting them to ancestral voices and practices.

They also got their hands dirty in the community garden, where learning came alive through cultivation. While kalo is widely known as the staple of traditional Hawaiian diets, students discovered that ʻuala was the main crop for ancient Lānaʻi residents. Due to the island’s dry climate and limited water sources, ʻuala thrived where kalo could not—showing how adaptation and innovation sustained life on this island. At one time, a self-sustainable lifestyle existed on the island and supported a Native Hawaiian population that far exceeds today's total population of residents.

Stewardship and Sustainability: A Visit to Hulopoe Bay

Another powerful lesson came during a field trip to Hulopoe Bay on Lānaʻi’s southern coast. There, Uncle Dean dela Rosario spoke about the bay’s transformation—from a once-crowded recreational and commercial boating destination area to the serene, protected conservation district that it is now today. Thanks to the efforts of community advocacy efforts in the 1970s, the bay was preserved for future generations. Today, Hulopoe remains one of the few places in Hawaiʻi where fishing continues to feed families, thanks to thoughtful protection and community stewardship.

The Imu: Learning the Power of Community Through Traditional Cooking

During the final week of the program, students prepared a traditional imu, an underground oven used for communal cooking. With guidance from Kapena Alconcel, who devoted an entire week as imu master, students learned that cooking in this way is more than just technique—it’s a practice of collaboration, humility and sharing. To make the imu possible, students reached out to neighbors, friends and family for natural resources like banana leaves, ti plants and stalks, many harvested from their own backyards. Meats were donated or gathered from around the community. Once cooked, the prepared food was delivered to families across the island, reinforcing the idea that food is meant to nourish both body and community, just as it was in ancient Hawaiʻi.

A Lasting Impact on Lānaʻi’s Future

The E ʻIke Hou iā Lānaʻi Cultural Literacy Program is more than a summer event. It is a movement rooted in aloha, designed to grow leaders who understand the richness of their heritage and the importance of protecting it. Every chant, every plant, every story and every shared meal is part of building a future that’s grounded in legacy, culture and community. This year, former participants Evelyn and Tyson returned as junior leaders, guiding and mentoring new students. Their leadership highlighted the program’s long-term impact—where learning doesn’t end, it evolves into giving back. Held annually for youth ages 12 to 17, this program continues to strengthen the foundation of Lānaʻi’s identity—ensuring the next generation is ready to honor, uplift, and protect the island they call home.