E LEI O POLOLŪ.
Four years ago, a Pololū ʻohana member dreamed of placing a lei of protection around the iwi kūpuna in the valley. Today, we honor that vision with an annual lei lāʻī ceremony and hands-on care through clean-up days led by the Kohala community.
Video: Adam Palya, Lucky Tree Productions
Pololu Needs Rest
E Lei ʻO Pololū is an annual stewardship event led by our 'ohana in partnership with Nā Ala Hele and the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife. Each year, the Pololū Trail and Lookout are temporarily closed to the public to allow space for trail maintenance, cultural mālama, and restoration work.
Community volunteers—many of them lineal descendants and long-time residents—gather to mālama the trail and surrounding ʻāina. A lei lāʻī (ti leaf lei) is woven and placed in the valley as a gesture of protection and respect for the iwi kūpuna (ancestral remains) resting in the puʻe one (sand dunes).
With increased visitation to Pololū, this day of rest helps reduce impact and gives the valley time to rest. It also supports long-term stewardship through hands-on community involvement. As this effort continues to grow, our hopes are to establish more regular days of rest and care for this wahi pana.
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