What is Hoʻolohe Pono?

Listen well, intently, rightly, and carefully

A group of people of faith (or desire) will Ho‘olohe Pono (listen well, intently, rightly and carefully) to various Kānaka Maoli (native people) 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.

Statistics about the Native Hawaiian community are staggering, and communities are suffering. Many concerns of the Kānaka Maoli 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 Kānaka Maoli, but all of Hawai‘i.

Since 2005, Hawaiian kūpuna (elders) of various communities, including Kalaupapa, taro farmers, workers and restorers of traditional fish ponds, activists, educators, and more have come to speak with us and teach us about the Hawaiian community and what they are doing today to restore their culture.

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.

Director for Ho‘olohe Pono: Moanike‘ala Nanod-Sitch.
Administrative Coordinator: Brenda Wong

Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HoolohePono/.
Contact Brenda for more information: brenda.wong-at-intervarsity.org.