A Living Legacy

By Jack Kiyonaga, Editor
On March 22, Ho’olehua-Pala’au residents celebrated a century of homesteading, along with the birthday of their champion, Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalaniana’ole.
“This is land that was passed down for four generations,” explained Charlie Kaahanui, president of the Ho’olehua Homesteaders Association. “If it wasn’t for Kuhio, this wouldn’t have happened…We wouldn’t have our lands.”
Kalama’ula was the first ever Hawaiian homestead lands in the state, started in 1922. Ho’olehua-Pala’au was the third such homestead project in Hawaii.
This year, Ho’olehua Homesteaders Association decided to host a celebration to put a festive mark on their centennial birthday. Held at the Kualapu’u Recreation Center, it featured food and crafts booths, along with music, dance and displays showing the history of the original Ho’olehua pioneers.…