Kalai Papa & Pohaku -Board & Stone Carving Program
La`i`ōpua 2020 Program for Families Aims to Perpetuate the Culture
KONA, HAWAI`I (July 10, 2023) – La`i`ōpua 2020 is pleased to announce a program for families interested in a cultural experience which offers the opportunity to hand-carve their own papa ku’i ‘ai (board for pounding kalo) and pōhaku ku`i `ai (stone kalo pounder).
Kalai Papa & Pōhaku commences August 25 and includes an orientation and six half-day sessions; at its end, each `ohana will have created a board and stone, which will last them a lifetime. The class will be taught by Keahi Tomas, a mahiʻai kalo, educator and wood worker, who learned this concept of ʻohana building from Kumu Earl Kawaʻa. Kawaʻa coined the phrase, “one board, one stone in every home,” and Keahi has adapted his practices and titled this Hawai`i Island program “Kalai Papa & Pōhaku,” reflecting the creation of a poi board and stone pounder. Keahi will be assisted by Kamuela Meheula, mahiʻai kalo and ʻāina based educator, and Kekoa Kahoʻonei, an aloha ʻāina educator and carver.
Funded by a County of Hawai`i WaiWai grant, La`i`ōpua 2020 Executive Director Kawehi Inaba describes the program as a way of bringing families together in a safe environment for learning and empowerment. “It's an opportunity for parents and children, kūpuna, aunties and uncles, brothers and sisters to share a culturally profound and meaningful experience,” she said, adding that one of the program goals is to assist the `ohana in “strengthening their commitment as a family and ultimately their commitment to serving their communities.”
There is no cost for the program. There is a $150 refundable deposit for each `ohana; refund of the deposit is contingent upon 100 percent participation in the program by each `ohana. Sessions will be held at La`i`ōpua 2020 (74-5210 Keanalehu Dr., Kailua-Kona) and other locations related to the program.
For more details on the program and to register, visit Laiopua.org/board&stone.
ABOUT LA`I`ŌPUA 2020
La`i`ōpua 2020 is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide social, recreational, vocational, economic, educational, and cultural opportunities and infrastructure to Native Hawaiians to include the communities of the Kealakehe ahupua`a. It is a place for pilina (building and supporting one another through relationships) and pu`uhonua (a place of comfort, peace, and safety). For more information about La`i`ōpua 2020, visit its website, Laiopua.org, or call 808.327.1221.
A family-based cultural experience surrounding the Hawaiian tradition of hand-carving a papa kuʻi ʻai (board for pounding kalo) and a pōhaku kuʻi ʻai (stone kalo pounder) with natural materials gathered from the ʻāina.
Kalai Papa & Pōhaku - carve a board and stone that will last a lifetime!
Laʻiʻōpua 2020 is now accepting applications for ʻohana to experience the Hawaiian tradition of hand-carving a papa kuʻi ʻai (board for pounding kalo) and pōhaku kuʻi ʻai (stone kalo pounder).
Mahalo County of Hawaii for their support in making this a FREE program for ʻohana!
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