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Student group visiting Ka'akepa

Mission

Pōhaku Pelemaka is a non-profit organization that was formed in 2013. Our mission is to protect, perpetuate, and enhance: the intrinsic qualities of Puna makai, Native Hawaiian wellbeing, and the transmission of intergenerational knowledge and practices in

partnership with  ‘ohana (family), county, state,

government, public and private sectors.

Vision

Pōhaku Pelemaka’s educational, charitable and scientific purpose is to Aloha ʻĀina (reconnect, study, steward, protect, enhance, maintain, and celebrate) the lower Puna areas, the communities, and natural resources through culturally grounded programs and partnerships. 

 

● Interviews of Kupuna, lineal and cultural descendants (kupa ʻāina)

● Nā Lauʻō o Kaʻakepa monthly Lā Aloha ʻĀina

● Hoʻowehe I Ka Niu ʻOhana camp

● Support for the implementation of the Puna Community Development Plan as it pertains to the Red Road Area and sponsoring the Hwy 137 Red Road Scenic Byway; and 

● Supporting community initiatives in conformity with its mission.

Lau Niu or coconut leaves woven into a circle, pattern resembles a camera's aperture

About us

Pōhaku Pelemaka is a newly re-birthed nonprofit organization renamed in 2021. The previous name of this 501(c)3 was KAPONO Red Road. We acknowledge and thank all those who came before to create, raise and operate this organization. 

 

Board of Directors. 

  • Yoshito LʻHote, President, Chairperson of the Board 

  • Michael Kyser, Vice President/Vice-chair, Board of Director

  • Jennifer Waipa, Treasurer, Board of Director

  • Leah Gouker, Secretary, Board of Director

  • Dottie Kyser, Kupuna Advisor, Board of Director

  • Leinaʻala Kealoha, Board of Director

  • Leila Kealoha, Executive Director 

  • Makani Gregg, Program Coordinator

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What we do

  • Kaʻakepa, Malama, Puna, Hawaiʻi

    • Nā Lauʻō o Kaʻakepa

      • Malama ʻAina wahi pana

      • Lā ʻohana 

      • Hoʻowehe i ka Niu

      • ʻOhana Stewardship & Adaptive Management Plan

      • Community-based Stewardship program 

 

  • Host schools, colleges, this scientific community and cultural practitioner at Kaʻakepa

  • Kilauea Recovery Team: Community co-chair for the Cultural Resilience Capacity area:

    • Pohoiki Boat Ramp Restoration: State DLNR, DOBOR and Limtiaco Consulting group

    • Isaac Kepoʻokalanai Hale Beach Park: County of Hawaii Parks & Recreation 

  • Partnering with Na Maka Haloa o Waipio to create a Community-based Stewardship Program to be piloted at Pohoiki and eventually at Kaʻakepa

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Partners

  • Na Maka Hāloa o Waipio 501c(3)

  • Makuʻu Farmers Hawaiian Homestead Association (MFHHA) &      ʻO Makuʻu Ke Kahua Community Center (OMKKCC)

  • Puna Makaʻala ʻohana and nonprofit coalition

  • County of Hawaii:

    • Planning Dept- Kīlauea Recovery, Cultural Resilience Capacity Area & PCDP Action Committee

    • Parks & Recreation Division

    • Research & Development

    • County Council District 4

  • State of Hawaii: DLNR Land Division, DOBOR & DOCARE

  • Hawaii Community College-Forest TEAM Program, UH-PIPES Program, UH-TCBES Internship Program

  • Hawaii DOE: Pahoa Intermediate & High School Aha Lamakū Oiaʻiʻo Youth leadership Program (ALO) Program

  • Hawaii Tracker: Hawaii Volcano Education Resilience Institute (HVERI)

  • Niu Now (Community cultural Agroforestry movement: Oahu, Molokaʻi, Maui and Puna, Hawaii)

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