The Makahiki season was the ancient Hawaiian New Year festival, in honor of the god Lono of the Hawaiian religion.
It was a holiday covering four consecutive lunar months, approximately from October or November through February or March. Thus it might be thought of as including the equivalent of modern Thanksgiving and Christmas traditions.
Green House Worshops Sat, November 17th & Ahupua’a – Keiki Shirt
* Makahiki Food Plants Cooking Series (read history and see the kahea ahupua’a t-shirt below)
The Hawaiian season of * Makahiki is upon us. Natural Food Chef Gigi Miranda will lead this cooking series to honor the season focusing on healthy recipes using traditional plants, ʻUala, Kalo, Ulu and Niu. Each session will cover one plant in-depth and feature a farmer or gardener sharing their harvest.
The Green House Saturday, November 17th 10 – noon
Fee $50/Class or $180/Series 1/17, 12/1, 8 & 15 Advanced Registration and Prepayment Required To see calendar & register online http://www.thegreenhousehawaii.com Or call (808) 524-8427
Herbal Tinctures and Infusions Workshop
Learn how herbal tinctures and infusions can add more herbal magic healing power to your life and how to make them yourself with Herbalist and Ethnobotanist Laura Shiels. A helpful informational booklet will also be provided.
The Green House Saturday, November 17th 1 – 3pm
Fee $20 Advanced Registration Required
To see calendar & register online http://www.thegreenhousehawaii.com Or call (808) 524-8427
*Today, the Aloha Festivals celebrate the Makahiki tradition
The Makahiki festival was celebrated in three phases. The first phase was a time of spiritual cleansing and making hoʻokupu, offerings to the gods. The Konohiki, a class of royalty that at this time of year provided the service of tax collector, collected agricultural and aqua-cultural products such as pigs, taro, sweet potatoes, dry fish, kapa and mats. Some offerings were in the form of forest products such as feathers. The Hawaiian people had no money or other similar medium of exchange. These were offered on the altars of Lono at heiau – temples – in each district around the island. Offerings also were made at the ahupuaʻa, stone altars set up at the boundary lines of each community.
All war was outlawed to allow unimpeded passage of the image of Lono. The festival proceeded in a clockwise circle around the island as the image of Lono (Akua Loa, a long pole with a strip of tapa and other embellishments attached) was carried by the priests. At each ahupuaʻa (each community also is called an ahupuaʻa) the caretakers of that community presented hoʻokupu to the Lono image, a fertility god who caused things to grow and who gave plenty and prosperity to the islands.
The second phase was a time of celebration: of hula dancing, of sports (boxing, wrestling, sliding on sleds, javelin marksmanship, bowling, surfing, canoe races, relays, and swimming), of singing and of feasting. One of the best preserved lava sled courses is the Keauhou Holua National Historic Landmark.
In the third phase, the waʻa ʻauhau — tax canoe — was loaded with hoʻokupu and taken out to sea where it was set adrift as a gift to Lono.At the end of the Makahiki festival, the chief would go off shore in a canoe. When he came back in he stepped on shore and a group of warriors threw spears at him. He had to deflect or parry the spears to prove his worthiness to continue to rule.
Ahupua’a – Keiki Shirt (also women)
Find AT Kahea online
Mauka to Makai summarizes the philosophy of Hawaiian ecology and economy. Everything that is done on land, effects the ocean–and vice versa. Mahi`ai (farmers) up mauka and the lawai`a (fishermen) at the shore would exchange food crops and fish. This interdependence is the basis for all of Hawaiian society.
Design generously provided by AIKS, Kanoa Nelson, Mo’olelo Designz.
Shipping is free for orders within Hawai’i and the continental U.S. International orders are assessed a small additional fee to cover shipping costs. $15.00
The disposable plastic bottle symbolizes waste and litter around the world. But it is not just plastic bottles and careless littering that threaten to turn the oceans from life-sustaining to life threatening.
Bottles and bags. Discarded toys, product packaging and cheap holiday decorations. Household and industrial waste of a thousand kinds.
Littered, dropped, dumped. Used despite safer alternatives. Carelessly disposed, improperly managed. Not reduced, not reused and not recycled.
Rolling, blowing, floating and flowing into the world’s oceans.
Plastic-free ocean – a 100% human-accomplishable goal
Plastic in the oceans is entirely caused by human action and human inaction. It has as much potential to do harm as the worst climate change scenario and is having greater immediate effects, yet it so far receives comparatively no attention, and very little private or government action or funding.
There are a number of ways that marine science, waste management, recycling and materials experts, biochemists and medical professionals might be brought together to work on the interrelated problems from a number of critical angles. But currently, there are no major collaborative efforts among these disciplines.
Changing these situations will require raising awareness and education to motivate changes in consumer behavior. It will take cooperation from businesses to change products and packaging. It will take political action to improve waste management and recycling practices. And it will require financial support for research to find ways to recover and reprocess the millions of tons of plastic already accumulated in marine environments, and other ways to remedial already existing biological and human health effects.
There are many simple and economically practical solutions for reducing the use of plastics, for safely and appropriately reusing certain plastic items, and for improving the handling of plastic waste to make sure that it enters the recycling stream rather than the typical waste stream.
How to keep the problem from getting worse
Consumers need to be educated about how to reduce, reuse and recycle plastics. Of these actions, the most important by far is to REDUCE,REUSE, RECYCLE the use of plastic in every aspect of daily living. This is neither as difficult nor inconvenient as it seems, and it can deliver long-term health benefits and immediate cost savings.
Spreading the word
Plastic waste, and particularly its accumulation and breakdown in the world’s oceans, are a far larger problem than heart disease or cancer, and unquestionably contribute to both of these conditions.
Plastic in the oceans is more damaging and far-reaching than deforestation, habitat destruction and other environmental issues, and it is the most directly actionable of all environmental threats.
Spread the word.
Organizations like Ocean Girl Project needs your support, please CONTRIBUTE by spreading the word. The Ocean Girl Project’s primary purpose is affordable educational and sustainable actions for our kids in Hawaii .
LIke us FAcebooK or sign up here for emails and updates!
Join the celebration of Kelly Slater’s 10th ASP world title at http://www.facebook.com/quiksilver. Footage courtesy of Taylor Steele, Alan Gibby/Zone 57, Bruce Walker, Woodshed Films and the ASP.
I was fortunate to meet Kelly last year at the Triple Crown of Surfing. He stood for hours after his final surf heat to meet fans and pose for photos. What impressed me was he was gracious and kind to each person. Congratulations Kelly for being such a classy person and true example of aloha for all surfers.
Ocean Girl Project Sustainable Surf Camps for girls was featured last July 13th on Hawaii’s KHON2′s Be Green with Kirk Matthews, mahalo Kathy and Kirk for helping create positive waves in young girls lives!! watch video
Watch the surf girl video, thanks KHON!
NANCY EMERSON SCHOOL OF SURFING
Nancy Emerson (pictured) an international professional surfing champion, and the originator of the world-famous Learn to Surf in One Lesson technique. She is a true professional who has placed within the top 10 of every surfing competition she has entered. Nancy has generously donated the use of her soft surf surfboards for the girls to use during the surf camp. Thanks Nancy for being such an amazing example to young surfer girls and for making a difference in their surf adventure!
The Official Surf Report site for Ocean Girl Project Sustainable Surf Camp . Before hitting the waves, surfer girls and guys in Hawaii first check with Gary Kewley’s Surf News Network. He’s on radio and TV, his hot lines receive up to 10,000 calls a day and his website, over 25,000 hits a day. Check out the SNN site and you will find Gary also generously promotes surf and fund-raising events across the island. We are very grateful for his continued support and for creating positive waves in a young girls life…mahalo for an awesome site for all surfers in Hawaii.
Surfrider a non-profit international organization run by volunteers. The Oahu Chapter’s mission is to improve water quality, ensure the public’s right to beach access, reduce plastic marine debris, and work for responsible, ocean-friendly development on the island of Oahu. Great group, doing important work.
To live and work simply and purposefully towards a common good for all, this is what we strive to manifest. As a team it is about giving attention, time and transformation to what and where we purchase, what we support, what we promote, what we might sell, and to bring that awareness into what is or will be the accumulative effects on the environment and its people. The Becausewesurf web site was set up exclusively to freely promote surfers, surf fund-raising events, surf organizations and help save the planet.
MuuMuu Heaven is a family-run business channeling experience and creativity into the design of one of a kind, eco-conscious clothing. After years living the gypsy life across the globe, we are now based in what may be the most beautiful place on the planet…Windward side, Oahu, Hawaii.
Reef Watch to inspire and facilitate community stewardship of Waikiki. Thank you all the Reef Watch volunteers and staff for being so generous and educating us all on the ocean and reef. We are stoked to have you part of our sustainable team!
Water Safety!!! The success of ocean lifesaving, rescue, and related injury prevention initiatives in Hawai`i is primarily due to the “knowledge, expertise and courage” of the lifeguard force on the beach In Hawai`i ocean lifeguards are also officially referred to as Ocean Safety Officers. We are so grateful to them!
Rerip.com is dedicated to preserving the environment and works together with the community to keep surfboards out of the landfills, and to reduce the amount of waste from new surfboard construction. Extend the life of your used board by posting it on Rerip.com.
Surf Garage is the destination for the classic, high-end surfboards and exceptional quality of surf accessories as well as artworks and prints. Surf Garage is dedicated to being an active and supportive member of the community. Through partnerships and programs, Surf Garage continues its commitment to the people and places that surround us. The Origami Whales Project began in Spring 2004 in response to the urgent need to raise awareness concerning the ever-increasing threat by the whaling nations towards the return of IWC sanctioned commercial whaling.
Donna Welch, a professional photographer, captures the spirit of the moment working with people of all ages, sizes, and personalities in Hawaii. Donna will be capturing the girl’s spirit at our sustainable surf camps.
Hawaii surfing icon Jeannie Chesser’s paintings on canvas reflect perfect waves. Sea life and floral are also favorite subjects. Her recent entry into jewelry making also reflects the ocean with use of shells, pearls, and turtle shapes. “It’s totally therapeutic to work with beads, jewelry, and silver. That people like my stuff enough to buy it is certainly a bonus. She rocks!
Honolulu’s natural and organic market. Umeke market offers a great selection of vitamins and supplements, healthy deli, natural groceries, bulk items, organic produce, green households and many more… One of the surf camp lunch and snack providers, lucky us!
