A thirst for connection and community have perhaps never been in higher demand as the world closes in on nearly two years of navigating through a historic pandemic that has left so many separated from loved ones. This fall, a University of 撸sir视频ʻi at 撸sir视频 series, founded on the 撸sir视频ian concept of ʻāina (Grandmother Earth) is reviving its mission to help regenerate pilina (connection) among 撸sir视频, faculty and staff. 撸sir视频 撸sir视频 continues to strive to become a Native 撸sir视频ian place of learning.
Since 2019, , a free series hosted by the , and has gathered on- and off-campus communities to get to know and learn ways they can care for plants at 撸sir视频 撸sir视频.
“ʻ?ina is the ultimate healer,” said Punihei Lipe, a 撸sir视频 撸sir视频 Native 撸sir视频ian affairs program officer who leads the Aloha ʻ?ina program. “Western science knows this. Indigenous science knows this. And I think it is also so beautiful when folks remember that even when we are separate from loved ones, we can still be connected to ʻāina. It is an important re-frame.”
On September 17, Lipe and fellow organizers hosted the semester’s first event, Moʻolelo Aku, Moʻolelo Mai dialogue circle. Attendees logged onto the hour-long session through Zoom and were given opportunities to speak from the heart, deeply listen and reflect.
“Aloha ʻ?ina Fridays were started to help our campus to explore the concept of aloha ʻāina together,” Lipe said. “At the same time, it is a chance to build pilina with ourselves, each other, and ʻāina. Our dialogue circles are designed to be safe spaces where we can not only connect with others but also be in conversation about what we are learning and wondering when it comes to aloha ʻāina.”
Participants will also have the opportunity to attend the series’ Mālama ʻ?ina (care for the land) events to help tend to on-campus plants but attendance will be limited to adhere to COVID-19 safety guidelines.
Each event begins with an introduction of the location’s ʻāina, ʻili (subdivision) and ahupuaʻa (land division).
- October 1—Mālama ʻ?ina, 3:30–4:30 p.m.
- October 8—Speaker Presentation: Kauila Kanakaʻole & Kuʻulei Perreira-Keawekane, 12–1:30 p.m.
- October 29—Mālama ʻ?ina, 3:30–4:30 p.m.
- November 19—Dialogue Circle, 12–1 p.m.
- December 3—Mālama ʻ?ina, 3:30–4:30 p.m.
For more information go to the .