It is my Family’s place for rejuvenation, comfort and happiness.

Waipiʻo has a presence that I feel when I just think of her. The valley walls, towering and pili with clouds at their end; the water-rich basin, gifting the capacity to sustain life like few others; the shifting black sand and boulder shore; the muliwai, where I teach my keiki to fish; and the powerful ocean who’s waves have provided me such joy and rejuvenation. To hold these experiences, and to continue these experiences with my ʻohana and community, is something I will not allow to slip away. I hope our voices come together to craft a future in which Waipiʻo thrives as do the people who love her so dearly.

This is a place of significant meaning to our family. Our children grew up knowing this as a place of connection to land and to the ocean. We have gathered here with our family and friends to surf, fish, pray and spend valuable time with one another. As an educator, I have been able to arrange for my class to help on the lo’i. We now grow taro on our own land in Puna after we learned from the farmers.