Name: Welina Waipao
Start: 2026-07-13T08:00:00-10:00
End: 2026-07-13T14:00:00-10:00
Location: Papahana Kuaola

Welina Waipao will introduce keiki to the ʻāina and help them begin forming a connection to place.
About this Event

Welina Waipao will introduce keiki to the ʻāina and help them begin forming a connection to place. They will explore different areas of the Waipao while learning how ʻāina and kanaka care for one another, and practice kilo by observing the sights, sounds, and rhythms around them. Through moʻolelo, hands-on activities, and learning about mea kanu Hawaiʻi, waʻa plants, and invasive species, keiki will grow their understanding of ʻāina in fun and meaningful ways.

This is a Hawaiian culture through literacy program for preschoolers that focuses on experiential ʻāina-based learning steeped in the cultural values of our kūpuna. Through the Welina Waipao program, keiki will be immersed in the moʻolelo and daily practices of our ancestors through hands-on experiences rooted in the native and Polynesian introduced plants that flourish within the ʻili ʻāina of Waipao. Kamaliʻi will learn to kilo—to observe, listen, and deeply connect with the land and environment around them. This practice of kilo will guide the keiki to recognize the interconnectedness of all things in nature, fostering a sense of responsibility, respect, and stewardship for the ʻāina. Over the course of this 3 day cohort, keiki will build pilina with the land, the environment, and the natural elements that surround them while learning and growing together.