For over seven years the ‘Ewa Bahá’í community has been supporting the friends of the Ulu A’e Learning Center through volunteer efforts at the sacred Hawaiian Pu’uokapolei, including monthly weeding, pruning, and clean-up. The community also held weekly devotions every Friday morning for over four years and have offered some financial assistance to the sponsoring non-profit. Other activities include watering the pu’u when the water from the Honolulu Parks and Recreation watering system was not functioning; renting weed-whackers; and purchasing plants and tools that needed to be replaced after several break-ins.
One of the main supporters and volunteers for these efforts was Irene Hi’ilei Chung. Strong friendships were forged through the years as she and other Bahá’ís showed love, determination, and consistency in helping to beautify and maintain the site. After her passing the Learning Center wanted to honor her efforts. Mikiala Lindstone, the Director of Ulu’Ae, reached out to the City and County, and was able to acquire ten drought-tolerant trees to plant in Mrs. Chung’s honor. At the October workday, a tent was erected and a presentation was made, with approximately 50 volunteer workers present, most of whom were from the wider community. Mikiala asked that a Bahá’í prayer be offered.
Mikiala Lindstone, the Director of Ulu’Ae, standing behind photographs of Mrs. Irene Hi’ilei Chung
At the presentation Mrs. Chung and the Bahái community were praised for the spirit of cooperation that made this possible, and it was stated that this effort to unite the Honolulu Parks and Recreation with the Hawaiian community in ‘Ewa was a milestone inspired through its consistent and loving service.
Tree planting at the Pu’uokapolei site.
A video about the event is available here https://www.youtube.com/shorts/PjLaysR7sGc.