Eō mai e nā wāhine! The first ever wahine-only conference is set for August 2012 with a mini-ʻAha Wahine just around the corner. Hereʻs a preview. To register or for more information visit ʻAha Wahine. Or contact Mehanaokalā Hind at AhaWahine2012@gmail.com or by phone at (808)392-1861.

My great movie.

The ocean is a very healing place which also fosters courage, connection to elemental forces, community, and a host of other things. Makali`i has always been know to have a large women crew and Makalii has spurred the growth of Kanehunamoku, our double hulled canoe, which we use to teach and pass on the knowledge shared with us by our kupuna.

Traditional stories in many cultures lay the foundation for cultural values and expectations, and Hawaiian moʻolelo (history, stories) are no different. This presentation focuses on theme of mana wahine (female empowerment) in traditional literature such as Pele and Hiʻiaka to discuss how such powerful female ancestors can guide Kanaka Maoli today in ways that uplift and support cultural connections that contribute to better spiritual and mental health and overall well-being.

A gathering of wahine to inspire, inquire, invest, and invigorate each other with ʻike, aloha, and kuleana. With presentations that concern our ancestral gods, our modern day leaders, health issues that are unique to us, and economic issues that affect all Hawaiian women. this gathering is also a opportunity to garner ideas for the larger ʻAha Wahine that will happen in August 2012.

Haumea is a deity whose important function is to establish sacred space. She provides the tools to recognize when that special space is potent for ceremony and ritual. As the pertinent female to any ceremony she provides that possibility for understanding and connection between the knowledge we acquire and the wisdom we pass on. Once a sacred space is established it allows us access for the interaction between us and our akua. Haumea also plots out the evolution of organisms, practices, activities, etc. in a chronological order. Therefore, Haumea ties time and space together. Let us examine the pertinent roles females have in ritual and ceremony. We will explore the makahiki and luakini rituals. All participants will learn a pīwai ritual and chant. Come prepared to establish your sacred space.

My great movie.

My great movie.

The Waiʻanae Community Re-Development Corporation's (Kauhale) mission is to establish a non-profit community development corporation (CDC) to plan and implement community-based economic development (CBED) projects that create opportunities through the education, training, and mentoring of participants (residents) of the Waiʻanae community, especially youth. Kauhale eduprise programs serve moku youth of which a majority are native Hawaiian, of low socio-economic status, possess low academic attainment levels and often suffer a disproportionate amount of health and well-being disparities. The majority is also wahine. Our organization believes that we are making significant assets available to wahine in our programs and that they will be powerful civic contributors as a result. We would like to present our programs and practices in a venue that allows us to reflect and critique with other individuals and organizations doing similar work. Receiving and sharing best practice would be a practical and productive outcome for our participation.