Day 3 Manaʻo for Cohort Kumukahi October 18, 2024

Our NHPoL team was so grateful to be back in the ʻili ʻāina of Kaʻākaukukui, and we are so thankful to the folks (and previous/current cohort participants!) who have so graciously hosted us on their JABSOM campus this past week. The fact that we are able to have ceremony and protocol at the māla, surrounded by medicinal plants and centered around their beautiful ahu, is an important reminder that the ʻāina is a source of wellness. Certainly, as we gathered in the heat of the midday sun, the cool shade from the kukui trees sheltered us and reinforced some of the moʻolelo and (hi)stories of Kakaʻako. 

Throughout the day, our team witnessed really beautiful moments of connection, especially through the sharing of stories. The third day is also extra special and fun because the final groups are assigned—and everyone is tasked with finding a common piko, or a common convergence of their pilina. These discussions are always so fruitful, and hopefully everyone was able to appreciate being near the ocean for this day, where we encouraged everyone (including our team members) to exhale and release any tensions to the expansiveness of Kanaloa, our ocean body. Mahalo nui e Katey, our amazing team member who was able to be with us for this day and helped to lead our guided release among the bright blues of the shoreline!