Recently I participated in a cultural tour produced by Gregg Yamanaka and his team at LearningBiz in Waikiki.

The tour, Welina Manoa, took us to the Manoa Heritage Center, a historic property in the heart of Manoa (near the Waioli Tea Room). The Manoa Heritage Center is a non-profit historical organization that promotes the stewardship of Hawai`i's natural and cultural heritage through preservation and education.

Manoa is one of the most beautiful valleys on O`ahu. Tucked up against the Ko`olau Mountains, gentle blessing rains are common, along with afternoon rainbows (anuenue).

We toured of the grounds of the Heritage Center which includes the historic home of Sam and Mary Cooke, known as Kuali`i. There we saw an intact agricultural heiau (sacred place of worship), and learned a bit about life long ago in Manoa.

Manoa Valley was once a rich agricultural watershed that supported a region known as the "Waikiki ahupua`a". An ahupua`a is an ancient Hawaiian division of land that runs from the mountains to the sea, and contains enough resources to feed the entire community living there.

Kalo, or Taro, was once grown in abundance in Manoa, along with sweet potato and other vegetables.

Steeped in cultural significance, Kalo is more than a plant to Hawaiians. All parts of the taro/kalo plant are used.

Kalo Dancing in the Rain original watercolor by Patrice Ann Federspiel available at Mission Houses Museum

Taro leaves are used to wrap meat, which is then steamed to create lau lau. The outer layers of the korm (bulb) are plowed back into the land as fertilizer, and/or fed to livestock. The inner korm is pounded with water to make poi, a starchy side dish, best eaten slightly sour. Like yogurt, it contains probiotics.

An ono (delicious), traditional Hawaiian lunch was included in the tour with food from Haili's Hawaiian Foods on Palani Ave (just off Kapahulu near Date St). This was, by far, the best Hawaiian food I have ever eaten. You owe it to yourself to try authentic Hawaiian cuisine.

Our tour concluded with a trip to a Ka Lei Hula Halau (school) run by Blaine Kia. Located on Beachwalk in Waikiki, a cozy retail shop our front welcomes visitors; please stop by when you come to town.  

To learn more about Ka Lei Hula: www.kaleihula.com

To learn more about taking a tour of the Manoa Heiau and gardens: 808-988-1287, ManoaHeritageCenter.org

To learn more about LearningBiz classes and tours: 808-369-8500, LearningBiz.com