HANAPEPE — Community members will stand in solidarity with the Native Hawaiians blocking access to the road that leads to Maunakea’s peak at a rally Sunday at Salt Pond Beach Park.
Individuals and groups from around the islands, as well as the world, will unite to sing in support of protecting Maunakea. The gathering on the Westside will be a part of the live online video to be premiered by Pu‘uhonua o Pu‘uhuluhulu Maunakea, called “Jam 4 Maunakea,” by singing the choruses of “Ku Ha‘aheo” and “Hawai‘i Loa” together at 11 a.m.
Moreover, the gathering includes an opportunity to remove debris from the lo‘i pa‘akai starting at 9 a.m. Participants are asked to bring shovels and trash bags to help clean the area and show support of the protection of the last remaining Hawaiian salt ponds where families have harvested pa‘akai for generations.
When the organizers were looking for a place to convene, they reached out to Malia Nobrega-Olivera and Ku‘ulei Santos of Hui Hana Pa‘akai o Hanapepe, who said it was a great opportunity to spread awareness not only about Maunakea but the plight of the island’s traditionally harvested pa‘akai.
“They’re underwater so we can’t make salt this year,” Santos said.
Currently, the salt beds are flooded due to a combination of elements, including King Tides, high surf and blocked drainage. The Westside locale is unique in that it can’t be replicated elsewhere due to its ideal weather conditions, clay and high salinity.
“These elements in that land area make it very special,” Nobrega-Olivera said.
So, the event was coordinated as a way to bring people together in support of protecting important Hawaiian sites, as well as to take some time to care for the aina.
“You can learn more about Maunakea and also what you can do locally,” Nobrega-Olivera said.
Participants, who will include many of the area’s salt-makers, are encouraged to wear red and yellow and to bring flags. They are also asked not to drive along the dirt road to the lo‘i pa‘akai but to park by the main pavilions at the beach park.
“Really it’s to bring unity; a call for worldwide unity,” Nobrega-Olivera said.
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Coco Zickos, county reporter, can be reached at 245-0424 or czickos@thegardenisland.com.
