Introducing Ulu-a-Paeahu: A descendant-led cultural organization takes root in Honuaʻula, South Maui

Ulu-a-Paeahu, a new descendant-led cultural organization rooted in the ahupua‘a of Paeahu in the moku of Honuaʻula, is supporting cultural programming this week in Paeahu. The organization will uplift the history of Honuaʻula and share it with visitors and residents in the voices of the people whose families come from this place.

The name draws on the Paeahu ahupuaʻa of Honuaʻula. The name Paeahu was given by Ka‘onohi Lee, a lineal descendant of Honuaʻula. Ulu-a-Paeahu means “to uplift Paeahu.”

Ulu-a-Paeahu grew from a partnership among Honuaʻula lineal descendants, Maui’s cultural leaders, ʻĀina Momona and Ledcor Maui. Its vision is a South Maui where visitors arrive as guests who share a kuleana to care for this place, cultural practitioners are paid fairly for their knowledge and expertise, and storied places are protected for generations to come.

Learn more at www.paeahu.org.

Festivals of Aloha at the Four Seasons

Through the Hōʻihi Grant Program of the US Department of the Interior’s Office of Native Hawaiian Relations, Ulu-a-Paeahu is supporting three Festivals of Aloha events at the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea:

• Carmen Hulu Lindsey Leo Haʻihaʻi Falsetto Contest — Friday, Oct. 23
• Hula is the Heartbeat — Saturday, Oct. 24
• Sounds of the Sea — Sunday, Oct. 25

The Hōʻihi award, administered by ʻĀina Momona, supports the participation of cultural practitioners. Over the coming year, it will also fund year-round cultural programming in Paeahu, Honua‘ula, and across Maui. 

Share your manaʻo — and win

The public is welcome to attend. Admission is free. Participants and attendees are invited to complete a short survey about their experience. Everyone who completes it will be entered to win one of four $500 MANAOLA gift cards. The survey is available by QR code in the event program.