Aloha e nā hoaaloha ʻo Kalāheo High School,
Kalāheo High School and our friends at Paepae ʻo Heʻeia are working together to build a traditional Hawaiian Meeting House, or Hale Halawai, to provide an outdoor learning space for students. The learning space will be built by Kalāheo students and staff. This experience will give students the opportunity to learn about traditional building techniques, cultural practices, knowledge and depth of understanding of cultural preservation and community service.
Attached is an image of the type of Hale Halawai that our staff and students will be building. We will be guided by the staff at Paepae ʻo Heʻeia on which hale would be best suited for our campus.
Our goal is $6,000 to pay for supplies and the support staff from Paepae ʻo Heʻeia. We started a GoFundMe page to help with funding our project here on campus. Please share with your friends, family and other networks to get the word out about our project. Our deadline to raise the funds for this project is the end this month, February 28.
Please visit their website at Paepae ʻo Heʻeia to find out more about their amazing organization that is currently restoring one of the largest fishponds in the islands. Currently our lead resource person from Paepae is Keahi Piʻiohiʻa who was born and raised in Kailua and was taught traditional hale building. This opportunity will give our students experience in traditional hale building as well as a hands on learning experience with community members.
Please let me know if you have any questions!
Malama Pono,
Tara Gumapac and Hoʻokamaʻaina Committee