Moʻolelo Calendar Project

Prompt: Please share a story of a wahine (woman) leader in your culture, family, or community that has been important in passing down knowledge to you. What wisdom have they shared with you and how have they inspired you?

“Born in 1915, ʻIolani Luahine, world-renowned Kumu Hula and cultural practitioner, is virtually known by all who do hula and participate in Hawaiian culture in any way. ʻIolani Luahine was said to have a bigger than life spiritual presence that inspired awe in all who met her. Because of her work along with the work of other culturally impactful women, we would not have had the same potent Hawaiian renaissance period that followed her life.” 

— Graduate Student, Political Science

“Three wahine come to mind. My mom, Maylyn Magno-Gomes. My grammy, my paternal grandmother, Julia “Malia” Kaneiakama Vradenburg Gomes. And Haumea, Earth mother. But, really for me they are different iterations of the divine feminine life ways that are Hawaiʻi. All that I am and know how to be is because of them. The way they exist in their power to be regenerators, life givers, caretakers, creators, and story/power keepers has been the modeled behavior that molded and continues to shape me to be the wahine I am and aspire to be. We are Haumea and we can birth from every part of our bodies and spirits. No one can take that power away or shrink it. It is both life giving and life taking if we so choose it to be.” 

— Makanalani 

Hometown: Waipiʻo, Oʻahu

Affiliation: Graduate Student, Hawaiian Studies

“After some time had passed following the passing of my maternal grandmother, my family had lunch at Hau Tree Lanai (at the Kaimana Beach Hotel) with my grandma’s best friend from their childhood. As aunty shared memories of what it was like growing up on Oʻahu two generations ago, I realized the importance of holding onto these stories, especially since my grandma is no longer with us. Her sharing these remembrances is an important reminder not to rush through life.” 

— Graduate Student, English

“I served on a master’s committee for a woman who I was kaikaina to in many ways, including significantly by age. She was trained in laʻau lapa au and taught me many things related to these concepts willingly and freely. It was a joy to work with her integrating traditional knowledge with Western science.” 

— Faculty, SOEST

“My mother has truly taught me what it means to authentically care for myself, my family, and my community. Every morning before I head out to work, she tells me ‘uplift the lāhui.’ My mother has dedicated her life to caring for the children of Hawaiʻi as a Social Worker with Child Welfare Services.” 

— Wiliama 

Hometown: Kāneʻohe, Oʻahu

Affiliation: Staff, UH Mānoa Division of Student Success – OVPSS

“My makuahine was a Kanaka ʻŌiwi wahine who inspired my deep love for the ocean. With Moananuiākea—the vast, expansive Pacific Ocean, particularly the beaches surrounding Mākaha and Waiʻanae—being her puʻuhonua (sacred place of refuge) and also the place of her resting, I find deep connection with and the importance of caring for the ocean. My mother taught me what it means to love like the ocean, the importance of caring for ʻāina, and to move like the waves that are pulled by the moon. These lessons inspire my writing and the ways that I show up each day.” 

— Kamakani 

Hometown: Kalihilihiolaumiha, Oʻahu

Affiliation: Graduate Student, Political Science

Prompt: Please share a story of a teacher or mentor in your culture, family, or community that you look up to. How has their teaching or mentorship shaped you?

“Kiʻekiʻe Kaʻū, kua makani, he umauma i pā ʻia e ke A ʻe Loa.” Mary Kawena Pukui, born in 1895 in Kaʻū, is a renowned Hawaiian scholar and practitioner who dedicated her time to the life of Hawaiian culture through language, history, and practices such as chant and hula. Mary Kawena Pukui is a pillar for all Hawaiians who have made use of resources such as the Hawaiian dictionary, the puke Olelo Noeau, and so much more. It is our job to recognize the very people who have gotten us to the places that we are in this day and time.” 

— Graduate Student, Political Science

“I’d probably have to say my 4th and 7th grade teacher Mrs. Nani Vegas, who saw my unconventional learning habits and cultivated them from a strengthens based approach that made me feel empowered, seen, and cared for and not weird, dumb, or lacking. Because of this I am able to recognize that we all learn differently. There isn’t only one way or best practice. There are many and therefore if we use a strengthens based approach rather than demonizing what we think is less than or different we don’t lose out on the knowledge and perspective of something unique and different. I try to approach people and life the same way by using a strengths based approach and not a deficit. I mahalo Mrs. Vegas for her modeled behavior of care and acceptance it’s made me a more compassionate and aloha filled human.” 

— Makanalani 

Hometown: Waipiʻo, Oʻahu

Affiliation: Graduate Student, Hawaiian Studies

“Kumu Kristiana Kahakauwila teaches creative writing here at the English department. She has taught me the joys of crafting language, stories, and poems in ways that are not editorial but rather playful in approach. With an open, playful mindset, writing has since become an opportunity to experiment and try new things, especially whenever I might feel stuck in my process. Kumu Tiana’s teaching has shaped me to be a more confident writer by changing my perspective and outlook on the power of writing as an intentional art form.” 

— Graduate Student, English

“I have been continually shaped by the many women in my life. Most recently, my current boss and mentor, Dr. Katrina-Ann Kapā Oliveira, has been a true demonstrator of Native Hawaiian leadership. She has taught me how to be patient and build bridges with others. She has challenged me to rethink how leadership is viewed and enacted as kanaka maoli.” 

— Wiliama 

Hometown: Kāneʻohe, Oʻahu; Staff

Affiliation: UH Mānoa Division of Student Success – OVPSS

Prompt: Please share a story of an ʻāina, a place that feeds you. What is the name of the ʻāina and how do you feel connected to that place (such as a connection to a particular culture, community, or family there)? In what ways has that ʻāina breathed life into you? What does that look, feel, smell, sound, or taste like?

“The ʻāina I would like to highlight is Kapaʻa, Kohala because it makes me feel paʻa. Another ʻāina I would like to highlight is Panaʻewa, because it isnʻt welcoming but tempting.” 

— Graduate Student, Political Science

“Ke Awalau o Puʻuloa is one of the old names for the southern lochs of Oʻahu, now-called Pearl Harbor. This ʻāina has breathed life back into me because even though the waters are heavily polluted and hold very violent histories of occupation, the waters continue to flow beautifully. Each morning as I drive to town, I am thankful to be from an ʻāina that does not let histories of occupation and pollution define our beauty and moving fresh water.” 

— Graduate Student, English

“Growing up, making big decisions filled me with anxiety. I practiced what my family would always tell me was “go touch grass.” My timeouts usually consisted of me sitting outside staring at the Koʻolau mountain range outside our home in Kāneʻohe. To this day I continually look to the surrounding nature to ground me and think clearly when it comes to decision making.” 

— Wiliama 

Hometown: Kāneʻohe, Oʻahu

Affiliation: Staff, UH Mānoa Division of Student Success – OVPSS

“An ʻāina that feeds and sustains me is the ʻāina of Kalihilihiolaumiha, commonly known as Kalihi. It has been a place that has fed my family for a few generations—some of my Hawaiian ancestors’ bones are buried in that ʻāina. Particularly, the ʻāina that I want to highlight is the sound of the Kalihi stream nearby my home. The sound of this body of water reminds me of our connection to the ocean that meets at the end of the stream. The ocean reminds me of my mother, who continues to sustain me from the realm of our ancestors. The sound of the Kalihi stream thus breathes life into me by showing me that there is so much life in the ʻāina. The sound gives me life, it reminds me to remain connected to our waters.” 

— Kamakani

Hometown: Kalihilihiolaumiha, Oʻahu

Affiliation: Graduate Student, Political Science

“I was raised in Haleʻiwa (moku of Waialua) and continue to go back every weekend to my childhood home where my parents still reside to this day. Making the trek from Honolulu to Pearl City on H-1 to Mililani on H-2 through Wahiawā town and through the pineapple fields followed by the coffee bean fields on Kam Hwy…..till the awesome view of the landscape appears where the horizon connects the clear blue sky with the Pacific Ocean as the car descends into Haleʻiwa. I never tire of this scenery which always seems to consume me with peace and tranquility, especially in the early morning hours just when the sun is rising. This ʻāina has always been a part of me…where I picked ʻopihi and limu as a child, where I learned to dance the hula and speak pidgin English, where different generations would share stories about the fish and lotus ponds, the buta-kaukau man who came to pick up food waste once a month, Haleʻiwa Hotel and the vibrant history of the past. A place where the community always shared lychee, mango, avocado, fish, tako, tangerine, vegetables, cooked food with one another. My friends and I spent so much time at the beach, often lying on the sand looking up at the stars at night and feeling part of the entire universe. Hearing the swell of the ocean, smelling the salt water, and feeling the breeze on our skin as we lay on the sand was always comforting and magical at the same time knowing we are part of something so much bigger.  All of these experiences in Haleʻiwa have taught me to think and make decisions around what would be good for the family, the community, others in my life. And when the family, the community and the others in my life are happy, I’m happy. The connection to this place grounds me to be humble, to treasure and care for the land, the ocean, and the people who have molded me to the person I am today. May Haleʻiwa remain a special place for many others and for future generations to come.” 

— Ann 

Hometown: Haleʻiwa, Oʻahu

Affiliation: Staff, campusHELP, Office of the Provost

“An ‘āina that I feel connected to is Hoʻomaluhia. It’s a place that feeds and inspires artistic endeavors. There’s so many sites that the gardens are comprised of that make it worth visiting: the lush mountains, cooling clouds, crisp rain, the swaying lake, the varying lush flowers and trees, even the way the sun shines brightly. I can’t help but be inspired by how lush and beautiful they all are individually, but together, it’s truly inspirational and shows the harmonious nature our ‘āina has to offer. To breathe the air of the gardens is truly refreshing and healing in a way, but it’s even more refreshing when it breathes life into your creative passions.

— UH Mānoa Alumnus, Fashion Design and Merchandising

Prompt: Share a story about a kumu (educator or teacher—inside or outside of academic spaces, living or passed) who inspires you with us. How have they shaped your relationship to place, education or learning?

“Kumu Mehanaokala—Earlier this year, we were blessed to have her as our mentor in learning oli. She led our peer mentor group in the Honolulu Community College sponsored program called Ola Niuhelewai-Mauli Ola. I came to learn about oli but left with so much more. She taught me to never give up no matter how hard I struggled with my words, she taught me to capture an audience with just my voice, she taught me to keep going even if I mess up, and most of all she taught me to be a mana wahine. All the oli we learned allowed me to become closer to ʻāina because it taught us in depth about interconnectedness and Kanaka. I look at things from our kūpuna lenses. It has forever shaped the way I see everything in life. Mahalo nui Kumu Mehanaokala.”
—Mahealani
UH Mānoa Undergraduate, Natural Resources & Environmental Management
Hometown: ʻEwa, Oʻahu

“My grandma is my first kumu. She instilled in me the importance of education and encouraged me to be open-minded and flexible in my learning—especially as the first person in my family to pursue higher education and as someone whose family came to Hawaiʻi from Asia. Thinking of my grandma who passed in Hawaiʻi, I continuously realize the importance of remembering where you come from as you gain new knowledge.”
—Graduate Student
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Hometown: Honolulu, Oʻahu

Prompt: Share a story about a wahine (woman) with us whose leadership, steadfastness, and/or wisdom inspires you to act. What has their aloha and leadership allowed you to do and/or be?

“A wahine whose steadfastness and leadership inspires me to act is my makuahine (mother). Even through turbulence and hardships, my mother remained steadfast in her aloha—aloha for her children, for her ʻāina, for her people. She inspires me to act every day, and one of the things she continues to help ground me in each day from the realm of our ancestors is to ‘love your body like you love ‘āina.’ Her leadership and wisdom as a makua, as a wahine, as a sister, as a daughter, as an activist, as a former caretaker teaches me that aloha always includes aloha for one’s own body. It is why I find moʻolelo and storytelling so important; sometimes we have to write and share stories for our survival, lest our cultures, languages, lands, waters, and bodies go forgotten. It is why I try to write from the body each day.” 

—Kamakani 

UH Mānoa Graduate Student, Political Science

Hometown: Kalihilihiolaumiha, Oʻahu 

“In everything I do, I try to carry the Black women in my family with me and honor them by being a leader that is rooted in community and love. When I think of this question, I think about my great-great-grandmother Rachel who was born enslaved in South Carolina. She would have been around the age I am today when she became a free woman. I remain absolutely inspired and empowered to know that I come from women who were able to survive, protect themselves and their community, and continue leading our family despite the extreme conditions that they faced through the American system of slavery. I wouldn’t be here today without them.” 

—Niya

UH Mānoa Graduate Student, Educational Administration

Hometown: Kanza, Kaw, Kickapoo, Osage, and Oceti Šakowiŋ Lands (Lawrence, KS)

“One wahine is my Tūtū because she was the manager of Robins shoe store at Maui mall, and the skills that she learned there taught me to always act in aloha towards others.” 

—Kawehi

UH Mānoa Staff, NHPoL Advancement Office

Hometown: Papakōlea, Oʻahu

Prompt: Are there any people in your moʻokūʻauhau (genealogies, birth or chosen) whose story shapes your own?