Editor’s note: In March of 2023, Historic Hawai‘i Foundation shared a blog post by Waimea Valley staff introducing their new program, Kaʻapuni o Waimea, just after its debut. The program offers visitors cultural learning opportunities at three of the valley’s cultural sites. The objective of the program design, to allow the visitor to ground their experience in cultural values and engage directly with the valley’s mission: to preserve and perpetuate the human, cultural and natural resources of Waimea for generations through education and stewardship. HHF circled back for an update a year later (see article below).
Read the original post describing the program and theme of the Kaʻapuni o Waimea, the Hawaiian cultural value of hoʻokipa, HERE.
Celebrating one year of program growth at Waimea Valley
By guest contributor Waimea Valley staff
Photos courtesy Waimea Valley
Waimea Valley leadership is proud to share that the Cultural Programs team has established the Kaʻapuni o Waimea initiative as a foundational component of daily programming in the Valley. Beginning with a daily average of 14 pin recipients (visitors completing the program) in the early months after its launch in March of 2023, the daily average of pin recipients is now holding strong at 130. In fact, from January through March of 2024, the pace of the program participation has grown dramatically in popularity, counting over 9,800 visitors earning their pins in the three months – already surpassing the annual total of 9,500 pin recipients in 2023!
The takeaway for the Cultural Programs team is that visitors to Waimea Valley are eager to actively and respectfully engage in cultural discourse, if given the opportunity. The frontline staff of Waimea Valley receives special training to be experts in a personal practice of hoʻokipa and take ownership of their frontline role in educating the average 1500 daily visitors to the valley. Waimea Valley staff is conscious that engaging in these cultural conversations can make a significant impact in the visitor’s understanding of Hawaiʻi.
It has been an incredible year of growth for the program and for Waimea Valley – we hope you come by Waimea Valley soon to experience the program for yourself! It is a fun way to deepen your understanding of Waimea Valley, learn from the educators that know it best, and ground your experience in thought-provoking moʻolelo. The Kaʻapuni program is available daily during regular Waimea Valley hours, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. There is no additional fee for the program, the chance to participate and earn a pin is included in the price of regular admission.
New Kipahele Shuttle Tour offers in depth look at culture and history in Waimea Valley
New on the horizon for Waimea Valley is a timed-entry Kipahele Shuttle Tour series, launched in March 2024. The 75-minute tour, led by Waimea staff cultural and botanical specialists sharing their wealth of knowledge of Waimea Valley, offers an exclusive and in-depth guided look at Waimea through a botanical and cultural lens. Seats for these tours are limited to 12 people. Reservations may be made online at www.waimeavalley.net.
Make sure to check out the website for information on general admission, special events, free and half-price kamaʻāina days!
Images above:
Kamaʻāina and visitors collecting their souvenir Kaʻapuni o Waimea certificate that serves as a “passport”, guiding participants to each site through earning their Hoʻokipa Ambassador pin.
Aunty Darrilyn Cristostomo, Kupuna Cultural Specialist on the Cultural Education team, facilitates the Kaʻapuni o Waimea program incorporating manaʻo from her 40 years of experience working at Waimea Valley.