Our Mo'olelo

Waipilihoa Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based on Molokai, committed to strengthening the cultural and political foundations of Hawaiian society through two interconnected missions:

Restore Lineage-Based Roles in the 'Ohana, Kauhale and Ahupuaʻa

We work to revitalize the traditional systems of ʻohana, governance, and land stewardship by restoring lineage-based roles and responsibilities that connect families to place, kuleana, and decision-making. These systems continue to exist, but face increasing vulnerability after generations of disruption.

Reorganize Hālau of Practitioners

We support the reorganization and protection of hālau—the traditional spaces where Hawaiian professions are cultivated. By ensuring the succession of skilled practitioners and the transmission of ancestral knowledge, we help secure the future of our cultural practices and community leadership.

Our Approach

Born from the need to reclaim ancestral authority, Waipilihoa reconnects practice, practitioner, and place through community-led education, cultural integrity, and kuleana. We believe that by restoring these systems of governance and practice, we can regenerate the abundance, well-being, and resilience of our island community.

Kauhale and Hālau

Molokai used several traditional structures to organize homes, communities and professions.

'Ohana had separate hale dedicated to specific uses.

Extended families lived close to one another. Some hale were private and some hale were shared amongst extended 'ohana members for gathering and group activities. The cluster of these hale formed a kauhale.

'Ohana worked together to maintain, supply and improve their kauhale for everyone's benefit.

While everyone in a kauhale learned to do the work of daily home life, those with exceptional skills were sometimes sent to train professionally.

A hālau is a special kind of kauhale where haumāna trained with kumu, kahuna or loea who preserved the practice in its highest form. Certain regions on Molokai were once home to several hālau operating in close proximity, forming piko (epicenters) of learning, discipline and community advancement.

Today, Hawaiians have been displaced, disconnected and scattered. Traditional ways of organizing and governing our families, communities and our island have been compromised, leaving us vulnerable, and struggling to succeed at caring for our 'āina, kai and each other. We struggle to communicate and work together, because we do not truly get to live and work together in authentically Hawaiian spaces.

Waipilihoa is working to restore these basic building blocks for our community.

Nā Kupa o Ke Kaiāulu

Each of us have a place in the community.

In both the kauhale and the hālau, every person has a rank and status that is based on age, wisdom, skills and responsibilities.

Many Molokai 'ohana and organizations still have these layers today.

'Ohana: Generational Family Structure

Keiki- The youngest members are the youth - small children will limited responsibilities.
'Ōpio - Youth and young adults who gain responsibilities and standing through their experience and learning.
Mākua - Adults are in the working class age and ability, they provide for the needs of the family. Sometimes they are parents, but often they are aunties and uncles to all the keiki and 'ōpio. Likewise, they are nieces and nephews to the 'elemakule generation.
'Elemakule - The oldest members are the senior generation. They may or may not have children of their own.
Kūpuna - Elders who are respected, and offer wisdom, counsel, and leadership hold this special title. The 'ohana and community decide who their kūpuna are, it can not be given to one's self. An 'ōpio who passed away early without bearing children might be referred to as a kūpuna, because of their inspiration or aloha that supports the 'ohana, or because their iwi are in the kulaiwi.
Hānai - Those who are legally or informally adopted sometimes by kin, sometimes by non-blood relatives. They have same status and privilege in an 'ohana as blood relatives.

Hālau: Professional Structure

Niele - Curious observers, amateur participants or volunteers who are exploring a practice.
Haumana - Formally enrolled students committed to learning under a Kumu or Loea.
Hu'elepo, Po'opua'a - Individuals entrusted with roles that support the function and leadership of a hālau.
Loea - Master or expert of a craft, skill, occupation.
Kahuna - Master or expert of a craft, skill, occupation who also holds mastery in the ceremonial and spiritual aspects.
Kumu - A loea or kahuna who is willing to teach others, provides consultation and/or is a source of new content or skills.