WAILUKU, MAUI — January was a month of deep community engagement, growth, and restoration for Nohona Health. Among the most meaningful milestones was a large-scale community workday held in partnership with more than 100 students and advisors from Hoʻopili Hou: the Annual Statewide College Student Leadership Conference.
These haumāna (students) brought incredible energy and intention to the ʻāina, helping harvest over 400 pounds of fresh ʻōlena (Hawaiian turmeric) at Nohona Health’s farm site.
Together, participants cleaned, processed, and prepared the ʻōlena for upcoming plant distributions, directly supporting Maui families, many of whom continue to recover and rebuild following the 2023 wildfires. As part of this immersive experience, students also engaged in a hands-on lāʻau lapaʻau workshop, where they created a master tonic using the freshly harvested ʻōlena. Each participant took home a small batch, offering them not only a tangible connection to the ʻāina but also a tool for personal healing and wellness grounded in Native Hawaiian tradition.
“The success of this month isn’t measured only in pounds of ʻōlena or the number of families reached, but in the relationships built, the stories shared, and the collective healing that took place,” said Cory Lehano, Executive Director of Nohona Health. “It was a beautiful reminder of the power of kākoʻo (support), and how, when we come together rooted in purpose and aloha ʻāina, we can truly nourish and uplift one another.”
Nohona Health extends deep gratitude to the Hoʻopili Hou organizers, student leaders, community volunteers, and partners who made this month’s achievements possible.
For more information on future events, programs, and opportunities to support community healing, visit nohonahealth.org.