The Honaunau Kekuewa clan, including grandchildren from Virginia and Honolulu, joined Miloliʻi ʻohana in South Kona for a youth fishing camp earlier this month. Miloliʻi is the last, working fishing village in Hawaiʻi with a proud heritage of rugged self-reliance.
Kids were divided into two groups - the older kids went out on diving excursions (thanks to generous help from area fishermen) while the younger ones engaged in activities at camp. Since I was keeping an eye on my 5-year-old, most of my photos revolved around his time at camp. Hopefully I will have more photos of the older kids' adventures next year.
Day one with DLNR enforcement/educational specialists.
Uncle John Kahiapo explaining rules and regulations. Lots of talk around registering lay-nets and how we need to be accountable for what we put in the water.
DLNR provided a neat tool for identifying and sizing fish. This waterproof guide is recommended for everyone taking fish from our waters.
Children learned about ʻopihi, a favorite food in Hawaiʻi that is becoming harder to find.
A great cross between digital media and hands-on experiences. The children explored a lot of topics and shared their thoughts through multi-media presentations on the last night of camp. The ʻopihi display was beautiful and included specimen that are rarely seen today.
Children learned about the Hawaiian perspective on moon phases. Traditional Hawaiian culture placed significant emphasis on the moon to determine the right time to fish for particular species.
One thing many of us take for granted is running water. Everyone in Miloliʻi is on catchment, though Uncle Willie Kaupiko provided a truck of potable water for the camp. We still needed to conserve - Kainoa and his cousin Malina help each other wash up before lunch.
Thank you to Jason Philibotte and the Hawaiʻi Fish Trust for sponsoring the fishing camp!
Uncle Gary Eoff shows one of the fishing traps that he crafts in the traditional manner. Click here to see more of Garyʻs work.
Kainoa, the solitary lawaiʻa...
Kepano getting work done from his field office.
Lea and Kainoa - sunset on Miloliʻi Beach
The children built structures as part of a tsunami moʻolelo activity.
Kainoa and his team after building their model home from found, natural materials.
Kainoa learning how another team constructed their home.
Teamwork! It was great to watch these kids work together.
Haumana learned a tsunami hula and ʻoli created by kumu Shafton Cabuag.
Kainoa crashed out after a long day...
Children testing the seaworthiness of their canoe hulls.
Kainoa pounding a hala root stalk to make cordage for his team's canoe.
We're big fans of Survivorman and similar shows, so this hands-on activity was a lot of fun.
Canoe building
Kainoa building a double-hulled canoe with found materials.
Kumu Shafton teaching the kids how to weave a sail from a coconut palm frond.
The canoe is starting to take shape.
Kumu Shafton's sail being mounted to canoe.
Two very proud kālaiwaʻa (canoe builders).
Kainoa anxious for sea trials
Isn't she beautiful on the water?