About Waipa
History
ANCIENT HISTORY
Like much of Hawaii's agricultural lands, Waipa's physical landscape has been significantly altered through agricultural practices over the last 200 or so years, obliterating much of it's physical history. From the physical remnants, mo'olelo, and archived information, however, it can be ascertained that Waipa sustained a significant community of Hawaiians who grew kalo and other crops, prior to the Mahele. Halaloa Heiau, with Kane as it's diety, is the only heiau whose location is known today. Several ancient agricultural systems have been located, and one mapped, in the upper Waipa valley. There may have been significant kalo growing in the Waipa valley through the 1860's, as indicated by several 'auwai systems which feed the lower valley, kuleana records, and a documented observation during the 1860's. Rice was a major agricultural product grown and milled at Waipa between the 1860's and 1940's. Ranching was practiced at Waipa from the 1940's through the 1980's.
The ahupua'a of Waipa was awarded to Ruta Ke'ilikolani, great-granddaughter of Kamehameha I, during the mahele, and subsequently passed into the landholdings of Kamehameha Schools, Waipa's current landowner.
MODERN HISTORY
The Waipa Project began in 1982 when a group of Hawaiian kupuna (elders) from the Halele'a communities, along with their `ohana (families) and k ako'o (supporters), organized to preserve Waipa, which was at that time slated for development of high-end agricultural estates. Their mission was "to restore the ahupua'a of Waipa as a Native Hawaiian community center and learning center, a sustainable, culturally and community-based model for land-use and management." After four years of negotiating, the group convinced Kamehameha Schools to lease the land to them instead of developing it. These kupuna envisioned a valley in which streams would always flow uninterrupted from the mountains to the ocean, allowing migrating native fish to flourish. They dreamed of 'ohana returning to farm native crops, able to support their families from the land, rather than working multiple menial jobs to survive. Their vision encompassed restoring native upland forest where people could come to gather medicinal plants. They imagined that 'olelo Hawai'i (Hawaiian language) would be spoken throughout the valley, and envisioned Waipa full of children learning their culture (Blaich, 2003, p.4.).
Today, the landowner, Kamehameha schools, through their 'Aina Ulu program, is a partner and supporter of the Waipa Foundation.
Mission & Goals
MISSION
The mission of the Waipa Foundation, as stated in it's 2003 Strategic Plan is: The physical and cultural restoration of the ahupua'a of Waipa.
- To restore the Waipa ahupua`a (watershed) as a community center and learning center for culturally-based land and resource stewardship, and the preservation, perpetuation, and practice of our Hawaiian culture.
- To empower our Hawaiian community within the Halele'a district of Kaua'i, and the larger Halele'a and Hawaiian communities, through educational, cultural, and community-based economic development programs, with a special focus on kalo, the traditional food of our native people.
- To restore the health of the natural environment and native ecosystems of the ahupua`a, and to involve our community in the stewardship, restoration, and management of the land and resources within the ahupua`a of Waipa.
- To practice and foster social, economic and environmental sustainability in the management of Waipa's natural and cultural resources.
TARGET COMMUNITY
Waipa Foundation's target community is threefold, and includes a culturally based group, a geographic group, and a community of practice as follows:
- Native Hawaiians
- The communities within the district of Halele'a, Kaua'i
- Those who work together to malama the ahupua'a of Waipa, and perpetuate the vision for Waipa.
Board & Staff
Waipa Foundation's current boardmembers (As of 3/07) are:
- Ms. Gayla Spencer-President
- Ms. Beryl Blaich-Secretary
- Mr Keone Kealoha-Treasurer
- Mr. Leroy Ka'ona-Board Member
- Mr. Alan Smith-Board Member
Waipa Foundation's current core staff (As of 8/07) includes:
- Executive Director Stacy Sproat-Beck
- Administrative, Programs and Site Management and Staff
- Marleen Fu
- Kalen Kelekoma
- Ryan Like
- Makana Martin
- Kari Shozuya
- Lea Weldon
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 1189
Hanalei, HI 96714
Physical Address:
5-5785A Kuhio Hwy.
Hanalei, HI 96714
Stacy Sproat, Executive Director
Direct Line: (808) 639-1815
Email: s_sproat@hotmail.com
Office Phone: (808) 826-9969
Office Fax: (808) 826-1478
Email: info@waipafoundation.org
Waipa, at 1,600 acres, is one of the smallest in a series of nine historic ahupua'a within Kaua'i's moku of Halele'a. Located along the north coast of Kaua'i, Halele'a today is commonly referred to as the "north shore". Halele'a is a historic moku (or district), which today encompasses the communities of Kïlauea, Kalihiwai, Wanini/Kalihikai, Princeville, Hanalei/Wai'oli, Wainiha, and Ha'ena. Waipa is located between the ahupua'a of Wai'oli and Waikoko.
Driving directions to Waipa for pre-arranged individual or group visits, field trips, meetings or events are as follows:
Take Kuhio Highway north to Hanalei (50 minutes from Lihu'e Airport, depending on traffic). Once in Hanalei town, look for Hanalei School on the left (Mauka side). About ¼ mile past Hanalei School is a one-lane concrete bridge over Wai'oli stream. Waipa ahupua'a starts at this bridge. To get to our offices continue on the Highway for another ¼ mile or so to a cluster of green and white buildings on the left. At the gate look for a lavender sign that says "Farmers Market Every Tuesday, 2PM". Turn into the paved driveway and park in the yard. The Waipa Foundation office is located in the building on the Hanalei side of the driveway, and the Hawaiian Farmers of Hanalei office on the left.
Campers should check in at the Waipa Foundation office first, before going to your campsite, unless previous arrangements have been made.
Customers for Waipa Farmers Market, every Tuesday at 2PM, should turn into the unpaved driveway just on the Hanalei side to the paved driveway. During Farmers Markets, the paved driveway is for vendors only.
For an ahupua'a map of Kaua'i, visit Kauaian.net