On October 3-5, 2014, LAMA (Loli ʻAniau, Makaʻala ʻAniau) hosted practitioners and community educators from throughout Hawai’i in an intensive 2-day symposium to explore how observation of the lunar phases effectively enhances their work.  Hailing from Oʻahu, Kauaʻi, Māui, and Hawaiʻi Island with kuleana working towards a return to the sustainable practices of our kūpuna, the hui shared about their work in their communities.  Detailing the successes of their mālama ‘āina efforts within the context of sustainability and community empowerment, they discussed how these culturally-rooted initiatives and perspectives present the unique opportunity to reconnect with Kaulana Mahina (the lunar calendar).  All invited participants are already contributing to lunar practice or are considering using it in some way.

The group came together to lay the foundation for an upcoming Pacific-wide Kaulana Mahina conference in Fall of 2015.  The group envisions the gathering will engage practitioners and the larger community with the primary goals of enhancing knowledge, skills, and attitudes regarding traditional knowledge, food security, and re-adaptation to a changing climate.  With a focus on KILO (observation) as the foundation of sustainable practice, the 2015 conference will seek to inspire the public to take action within their own communities towards sustainable systems, attitudes, and practice with Kaulana Mahina as the guiding force.

Participants presented their observations of how mahina affects their work in ʻāina or kai-based resource management from the loʻi to the loko iʻa.  Under facilitation by renowned Kaulana Mahina practitioner Kalei Nuʻuhiwa, participants included representatives from Paepae o Heʻeia, Kānehūnāmoku Voyaging Academy, Hale o Lono Loko Iʻa, Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, Kōkua Kalihi Valley, the Kahoʻolawe Island Reserve Commission, Conservation International – Hawaiʻi Fish Trust, the Kama ʻAha Education Initiative, Ka Honua Momona, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and community-driven schools and academic departments from the UH system.  Engaging discussion followed each presentation as participants offered insight from their fields of expertise and shared resources to further enhance the work.

To learn more about the ʻAimalama Symposium and LAMAʻs work in the community, visit http://islandclimate.net/projects/lamaku-naauao/aimalama-symposium-oct-2014/.