Puwalu a Hawaiian Homelands Conference, June 12

A Pukalani developer, Waiehu kumu hula, and Waikapū taro and pig farmers headline a Zoom conference next weekend. The Maui Centennial Puwalu takes place on Saturday, June 12 at 9 a.m.

Featured speakers include: Kahanu Noa of Na Koa Development; kumu Kilihune Kaaihue of Waiehu Kou Hawaiian Homesteads Association; Bobby Pahia of Hawaiʻi Taro Farm LLC, and Hanalei Colleado of Hoʻomana Farm.

The Maui Centennial Puwalu celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, a 203,000-acre federal trust that provides for the Hawaiian-homesteading program. More than 1,400 trust beneficiaries live in nine Valley Isle homestead subdivisions.

Congress ratified the act on July 9, 1921, with the five pillars of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act involving access to homes, farms, ranches, mercantile and water.

The three-hour mercantile-themed puwalu also will feature water expert Jonathan Scheuer. In addition, Kilihune will introduce the officers, directors and mission of the Waiehu Kou Hawaiian Homesteads Association that she formed to represent all four Waiehu Kou homelands subdivisions in Central Maui. Discussion on the Maui homelands-assessment survey introduced June 3 will also occur.

Puwalu co-sponsors are Pāʻupena Community Development Corporation and Credit Edge Solutions LLC. Pāʻupena CDC is a representative organization authorized by the 1921 Hawaiian Homes Commission Act.

Congress approved 1959 Hawaiʻi statehood with the proviso that the prospective state government appropriately manage the Hawaiian Homes federal trust; therefore, the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act is one of the most critical acts defining the State of Hawaiʻi. Pāʻupena represents 10,595 HHCA Maui beneficiaries, who are native Hawaiian.

Credit Edge Solutions LLC is a native Hawaiian-owned mercantile operation that aims to educate homestead beneficiaries, their successors and all Hawaiians on the subject of credit. Preparing them to navigate funding and capital opportunities is a step forward en route from being on the DHHL waitlist to building thriving ‘ohana legacies across the pae‘aina (archipelago).

To register in advance for the June 12 puwalu, click here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_pe2F2wYxRES5K8OwQ27FkA

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with information on how to join the webinar.

For more information, contact Kainoa Lei MacDonald at email [email protected] or cell/text 808-419-8646. This event is the ninth in a 10-part puwalu series that will culminate 5 p.m. July 9.