Our Mission
Háloa Áina is a native Hawaiian forestry and education organization committed to economic prosperity and environmental responsibility being guided by cultural values for a more sustainable Hawaii.
Legend of Háloa
The Gods Wakea, father sky, and Ho’ohokulani, mother earth, gave birth to Háloa their first born. Háloa was stillborn and shaped like a bulb. Wrapped in kapa he was placed in the earth where Ho’ohokulani cried and chanted for the loss of her son watering the grave. A plant soon grew from the gravesite with leaves in the shape of a heart that collected and caressed water droplets at it’s center with each rainfall. It’s stems were slender and swayed gracefully in the wind as in a hula paying homage to the spirit of caring. This first taro plant produced kalo or bulbs in which to regenerate and nourish Háloa the second born and healthy son of Wakea and Ho’ohokulani. The older Háloa would become the aina or land and the younger the first Hawaiian or man. Háloa would care for his younger brother, the Áina, and the Áina would forever nourish his younger brother, man. Hawaiians call themselves ‘keiki o ka ‘aina’, or children of the land, each caring for the future of each other. Their relationship forever entwined and respected in the spirit of Aloha (one breath).
