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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) Puna makai, the communities, and natural resources through culturally grounded programs and partnerships: 

 

● Lā ʻOhana: Family days

● Lā Aloha ʻĀina: Service project days

● Nā Lauʻō ʻo Kaʻakepa: Workforce development

● Hoʻowehe i Ka Niu: ʻOhana camp

● Hoʻomakua i ke kai a Pele: Marine monitoring

● Holo mai Pele: ʻOhana and community advocacy

● Kahu ʻAina Hawaiʻi: Stewardship

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: 
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  • Yoshito LʻHote, President, Chairperson of the Board 

  • Mina Viritua, Vice President/Vice-chair, Board of Director

  • Jannette Pelton, Treasurer, Board of Director

  • Jennifer Waipa, Secretary, Board of Director

  • Dottie Kyser, Kupuna Advisor, Board of Director

  • Leinaʻala Kealoha, Board of Director

  • Leah Gouker, Board of Director

  • Leila Kealoha, Executive Director 

  • Makani Gregg, Program Coordinator

  • Michael "Mikey" Kyser Jr., Program Technician

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What we do:
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  • Steward Kaʻakepa, Malama, Puna, Hawaiʻi​

  • Host ʻohana and community educational and cultural programs and workshops:

    • Lā ʻOhana: Family days

    • Lā Aloha ʻAina: Service project days

    • Hoʻowehe i ka Niu: ʻOhana camp

    • Hoʻomakua i ke kai a Pele: marine monitoring

    • Nā Lauʻō: Workforce developement for ʻohana

    • Kahu ʻAina Hawaiʻi: Community-based Stewardship Program 

  • Host schools, universities, organizations, government, private businesses, community and cultural practitioners, groups, and individuals​

  • Member of Kīlauea 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

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

  • Partner with Niu Now to survey and inventory coconut trees along Puna makai  

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Partners
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  • Niu Now

  • 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 of Puna makai

  • County of Hawaiʻi:

    • Planning Dept- Kīlauea Recovery

    • Cultural Resilience Capacity Area & PCDP Action Committee

    • Parks & Recreation Division

    • Research & Development

    • County Council District 4

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

  • Hawaiʻi Community College-Forest TEAM Program, UHH PIPES Program, UHH TCBES

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

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

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