Ho'olohe Pono Information


What is Ho‘olohe Pono?
A group of people of faith (or desire) will Ho`olohe pono (listen well, intently, rightly and carefully), to various kanaka maoli as they educate us by sharing their mo`olelo (stories) and areas of expertise, and we will enter into the native community through site visitations to serve.

Where and When is Ho'olohe Pono?
Ho'olohe Pono 2009 wil take place from July 19th to the 24th on O'ahu. Ho'olohe Pono will continue on Moloka'i from Fuly 25th to August 1st.

How Much is Ho'olohe Pono?
Full participation which includes both O'ahu and Moloka'i is $600 and $400 for students. However if you only wish to participate in one of the events the costs are: $175 for non students and $125 for students planning to attend the O'ahu portion and the cost for Moloka'i is $475 for non students and $325 for students. The cost includes all speakers, food, lodging and transportation.

Who are The Speakers?
Speaking this year will be Hawaiian kupuna (elders) of various communities including Kalaupapa, taro farmers, workers and restorers of traditional fish ponds, activists, educators and many more!

Formation in Faith
This program is a live-in immersion, with structured times of communal prayer, worship, and biblical teaching and discussions. Further, communal times of discussing various issues that we as individuals, or community, are engaging (ex. guilt of imperialistic past, racism, poverty, etc) will be provided.


Heart of the Project
The native Hawaiian community statistics are staggering and communities are suffering. Much of the concerns of the kanaka maoli (native people) also go unnoticed or ignored when it comes to historical and present injustices. The church at large has remained silent. Many times the negative stereotypes of Christianity become reinforced by the absence and lack of support of Christians concerning these issues. Are we listening to those that care about the future and betterment of the native Hawaiian people? As the family of God are we showing by our actions that we care? As part of His heart, we believe that the time is ripe for us to bring Jesus's hope not just by words, but through action. This will benefit not just the kanaka maoli, but all of Hawai`i.

“Ma ka hana ka ‘ike” (through doing comes understanding).
As we listen well and do/serve, we believe God's Spirit will give us understanding and grow our hearts to be more like His. As we honor and listen humbly to the people, may we learn more about His aloha (love) and may we reflect His true aloha (love) through our lives to the communities we serve.

InterVarsity Hawai‘i will be co-sponsoring Ho‘olohe Pono with Ka ‘Ohana o ke Aloha and kahu Kawika & Laurie Kahiapo. If you would like to make a donation, checks can be written to “Ka ‘Ohana” and sent to

Brenda Wong
41-666 Kaaumana Pl
Waimanalo, HI 96795

If you would like to participate, please contact
Moani @ (808)342-7896 or Brenda @ (808)478-6933 or Brenda_wong@ivstaff.org.