Wiliwili . . . to twist and twist, to reveal a seed

The namesake of this organization is the heartbeat of our mission, to twist together resources to Hawaiʻi non-profits who are continuing the reestablishment of the culture, who support various education programs, who focus on conserving the land (ʻāina), and providing access to the arts.

This adventure has been a passion project of mine for some time. As Kānaka (native Hawaiian) who grew up away from the ʻāina, my Kūpuna Kāne (grandfather) taught me my Kuleana (responsibility) to the culture and my Kūpuna (ancestors).

With that maopopo (understanding) and kōkua (support) of my Kūpuna Kāne and Kūpuna Wahine (grandparents), I started in a hula hālau (dance school) at age 9 in Carson, CA. Thanks to Aunty Sissy Kaio I gained access to my culture through Hula Hālau ʻO Lilinoe. Aunty Sissy would bring other Kumu from Hawaiʻi who would come teach workshops about lua, unukupukupu, ʻoli, hula… Throughout my time with Hālau ʻO Lilinoe I was privileged to experience to my heritage in a tangible way. It helped me expand my mana (knowledge/ wisdom) in a deep way and helped me feel connected to the ʻāina even though I was miles and miles away.

My Papa always was so proud of my involvement and commitment to hālau and hula. Things he did not have access to growing up in Hawaiʻi. He would gather my cousins and I around his table and talk story about growing up in Kaʻū. Something that always stuck with me in his stories was his inability to learn our culture. ʻOlelo, Hula and many of the traditional teachings I was privileged to learn werenʻt available to him, and or were frowned upon for him and others to participate in.

In the 1800ʻs discrimination was set forth through christian missionaries, converting Hawaiian monarchies and enforcing hula as a pagan ritual. In the late 1800ʻs ʻolelo was banned from schools and English was enforced to the point of punishment for altering to ʻolelo. Efforts for revitalization began in the 1970ʻs; only 55 years ago while my Tūtū was well into his 30ʻs.

Almost half of his life, he was told to be something else, and to shut off from learning about what makes him, him… Kānaka.

What my Papa taught me was his understanding of the Hawaiʻi that was continually passed down through generations. This “Hawaiian” or Hawaiʻi couldnʻt be banned. People commonly refer to this feeling as “Aloha Spirit”. When my Papa left us he buried my feet in my Kuleana to take care of one another, as he took care of everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him.

I have since lived everyday with the purpose of helping others. I got my B.A. in psychology thinking it was going to be the way I healed the world, which lead me into non-profit work. From operations all the way to fundraising I used whatever talents the creator blessed me with to help marginalized communities and peoples. I now am able to live my purpose and use my talents in a deeper way through the Wiliwili Foundation, where I can take my heartbeat to create real change, and my Kuleana as Kānaka, to provide funding and other resources to non profits throughout the islands and continue in protecting our culture, land and our history.

Malama Pono,

Koana (Founder)

Facts About Our Namesake WIliwili

(I do not own the rights to this image)

Wiliwili trees are found in dryland forests on the (“main”) Hawaiian islands and are endemic to Hawaii (meaning they are found nowhere else in the world). 

Additional Facts:

  • Native to Hawaii: Wiliwili is the only Erythrina species naturally occurring in the Hawaiian Islands. 

  • Dry Forests: They thrive in dry, low-elevation forests, often on leeward slopes where rainfall is less. 

  • Island Distribution: You can find them on all the main Hawaiian islands. 

  • Elevation Range: They typically grow at elevations up to 2,000 feet (600 meters). 

  • Specific Locations: Notably Wiliwili tree are found in my families generational homeland in Kaʻū, HI.