Kalaeloa Heritage and Legacy Foundation

The Kalaeloa Heritage and Legacy Foundation, via the Kalaeloa Heritage Park, partners with the University of Hawaiʻi West Oʻahu (UHWO) Botany program, headed by Dr. Bruce Koebele, where students assist in the replanting or reforestation of native plants at the Park as part of their ServiceLearning program. Plants such as ʻāhinahina o ʻEwa, ʻāweoweo, naio,ʻulu, ʻaʻaliʻi, maiapilo, and wiliwili – which are raised from seeds offsite –are brought to the Park to be replanted by students.

The KHLF holds monthly community work days that provide local community groups as well as interested individuals the opportunity to help mālama the Park. Participants are guided through various tasks (i.e., hand weeding, chipping, weed whacking, etc.) based on their level of ability. When the work of the day is completed participants are provided with a lunch and free tour of the Park.

The KHLF partners with various educational, vocational, and service oriented groups to provide service work/work-study opportunities. Participants are guided through various tasks (i.e., hand weeding, chipping, weed whacking, etc.) based on their level of ability. Work hours are monitored and proof of completion is provided to participants.

Hands-on feather-work workshops are presented by Park staff at the Park. Participants learn about the traditional methods for collecting feathers as well as resource conservation practices employed by ancient Hawaiian. Modern methods for creating feather-work pieces are demonstrated. For a nominal fee workshop Participants create one of several types of kāhili (i.e., ʻahu ula, kāhili paʻalima, etc.).

Through the use of a large physical map, Park staff will provide a class on the ancient place namesof Kapolei and other areas throughout the ʻEwa Moku. Participants gain an appreciation for the places within Kapolei by understanding the meaning and kaona related to the ancient or historical names.