Lorilani Keohokalole's blog

In October of 2022, nine parents (makua) and seven children (keiki) from four Hawaiian islands participated in the first Mahi'ai Camp on Moloka'i. Participants learned about food growing and fishing traditions and techniques, understanding the past to prepare for the future. We are honored to be able to share a poem by Honohono Na'ehu that was read at the camp. Shang Ong was the videographer of the video shown below.

The relationship to the land, or ‘Āina, is at the core of our being. The food we grow does more for us than sustaining our bodies, it also “feeds” us mentally and spiritually. 

In this newsletter, we are focusing on two important movements, and we would appreciate your support.  It’s the government’s kuleana to minimize community exposure to harm, just as we have a kuleana to our land: to care for it and to respect it, and in return, our land has the kuleana to feed, shelter, and clothe us.  We must maintain balance within society and with our natural environment.

Wēlina mai kākou,

My name is Lorilani Keohokālole, and I am the new PAN Co-Director of Organizing for the Hawaii Region. My ‘Ohana is from Wai‘anae and Kāne‘ohe (O‘ahu) Hilo; South Kona and Kā‘ū (Hawai’i Island); ‘Olowalu and Hāna (Maui) and Kalihiwai (Kaua‘i). I am currently humbled to reside on the island of Kaua‘i in the historically resource-rich community of Anahola.

I am a mother, a wife and a community advocate. My primary work has been in the fields of health, wellness and healing, Native Hawaiian cultural education, and food policy advocacy.