Opening Protocol

Aloha kākou!

In lieu of our in-person opening ceremony at HCC, this year we will host a virtual kuahu to start the conference with an opening protocol at 8am Monday, July 18th, 2022. See the simple instructions below to participate!

What is kuahu?

Kuahu can be translated as “altar” and are found in a number of traditional hālau (spaces of learning).  Kuahu are a central and foundational component of Hālau ʻŌhiʻa, a stewardship training program developed by Kekuhi Kealiikanakaoleohaililani that focuses on enhancing the ways we engage with our ‘āina (landscape) community and kānaka (human) community.  The following describes our Hālau ‘Ōhiʻa understanding and practice of kuahu.

Deconstructing the term kuahu, reveals the root words kū (lit. to stand, to erect, to align) and ahu (lit. a pile, a collection, an altar, a shrine). With those root words in mind, the kuahu will be a collection of energetics we erect to align and inform our practice in our physical and spiritual conference space. The kuahu is a physical representation of our ecosystem, thus most often we use natural elements including, but not limited to lāʻau (plant people), wai (water), pōkahu (stones), and lepo (soil) to embody these energetics. In the process of creating a kuahu, we critically reflect on our relationship(s) to the natural setting to inform how we would describe the energetics of the ecosystems with which we interact. We reflect on how those energetics may be useful to guide our intentions and practice.

To participate:

  • Email submission to hccprotocol2022@gmail.com by Friday, July 8th, 2022.
    • One photo of an element of ‘āina (land and seascapes) – any plant, animal, limu, coral, rock, weather element, etc. All submissions should be original (a photo you took yourself) and/or you must have permission to share the image. 
    • One word describing your reason for bringing this to kuahu. Be sure to reflect on the energetics of this element and how you want it to guide your conference process.
    • Island you represent (Hawaiʻi, Maui, Kahoʻolawe, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, O’ahu, Kauaʻi, Papahānaumokuākea, or ‘Āina ‘Ē – outside of Hawaiʻi)

Examples:

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