Hauula sees first traditional hale in over a century
HAUULA, Hawaii — Eighteen youths from the community of Hauula and surrounding areas came together to build Hauula’s first traditional Hawaiian hale or thatch house in more than 100 years. They are from the Maunawila Opio Malama Aina Summer Program, an annual summer internship program run by Hawaii Land Trust held at Maunawila Heiau Complex.
Meeting Monday through Friday, the youths completed the hale in five weeks. They also took part in other activities, such as removing invasive plants; trail maintenance; archaeology; planting; community work; learning moolelo (stories, history), oli (chants) and pule (prayers); conducting tours; hiking; archeological management; and a huakai (trip) to Hawaii Land Trust’s Waihee Coastal Dune & Wetlands Refuge on Maui.
