Malama Waipio

 Waipio Valley Educational Center

Waipio Valley Educational Center (WVEC) is a Hawaiian cultural exploratory and outreach educational center organizationally housed in "Ka Ha O Na Kupuna" School of Ancient Hawaiian Knowledge and Wisdom at WVEC. In the Ahupua'a (traditional land division) of Waipio, WVEC is the only centrally located venue in Hawaii that provides a culturally place-based experiential learning center and a pu'uhonua (sanctuary). WVEC provides a venue for Hawaiian and Pacific cultural activities with hands-on experiences via experiential learning curricula and lessons.

In 55BC into the 20th century, several kupuna from Waipio Valley discovered the unused 'auwai (irrigation ditch) and restored its flow of water, after which they planted kalo (taro) and other native plants and foods in the areas within and the surrounding area’s of the lo'i (kalo “taro” patch). With the "Hawaiian Renaissance" movement taking shape, we started the "Hui Malama O Waipio” project based on the principles “taking care of the Curving Water”, now is the time to make the water flow, and the land will be productive," which was initiated by "Malama Waipio LLC". Along with the guidance of kupuna (elders) living and non-living, the traditional practices have been perpetuated for future generations to experience the understanding with clarity of self-sufficiency.

By serving as a cultural resource center, WVEC focuses its work on perpetuating and preserving Native Hawaiian customary and traditional practices and uses of natural resource management. As such, WVEC engages a number of different constituencies with varying interests ranging from research and inquiry to experiential learning opportunities for their haumana “students”. Among these diverse partners are: Native Hawaiian organizations and their communities; Hawai'i's diverse local communities; Asian and Pacific Island organizations; classes, faculty, staff, and students from educational institutions.