2nd Kaʻapuni Torchlit March Around Maui Planned

Kaʻapuni 2009, file photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

For the second time in six years, a week long 193-mile torchlit march will be held around the island of Maui.

The Kaʻapuni or circle-island march will cover the 12 moku or districts of Maui, and is described as a spiritual journey.

In an event announcement, founder Keʻeaumoku Kapu of Kauaʻula Valley, said “organizers aim to achieve unity: of march participants, of the moku and of the people therein.”

The west Maui taro farmer and cultural advocate led a similar march in February of 2009.

At the time, event organizers noted that the march was conducted in the Makahiki season, marking the return of Lono, and signaling a time of preparation.

The march acknowledged ancestors of old and encouraged unification to conquer obstacles ahead.  Organizers of the 2015 march issued a press release saying the torch will provide physical illumination and symbolizes enlightenment.

Kaʻapuni 2009, file photo by Wendy Osher.

The week long march will begin at midnight on Saturday, Feb. 28, at Mokuʻula across from 505 Front Street, and will end March 7 in Lahaina with protocol at noon, followed by a festival.

A public meeting to discuss the upcoming Kaʻapuni will be held this Thursday, Feb. 12, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Kīhei Charter School located at 41 East Līpoa St., Suite 29, in the Līpoa Center.

The meeting will be hosted by the ʻAha Moku O Maui Inc., a grass-roots entity created in 2008 under Act 212 to integrate traditional Hawaiian cultural practices into policies governing land-and-ocean natural-resources management.

Kaʻapuni 2009, file photo by Wendy Osher.

According to an event announcement, the meeting agenda will address participation by all interested residents, “especially lineal descendants whose ancestors lived in the Honuaʻula and Kula moku, stretching from Kanaio to north Kīhei to Haleakalā summit.”

Other meeting topics will include: the walk schedule, protocol and logistics, including the making and carrying of wooden torches, and the preparation of food and shelter for marchers.

Additional informational and community-input meetings are scheduled on Fridays this month at 6 p.m. at Na ʻAikane cultural center, located at 562A Front Street in Lahaina.

Additional information is available by contacting Moku o Kula representative Basil Oshiro via email at soshiro17@hawaii.rr.com or by calling Kapu at 298-5639.