The Kumiai is our gathering to reinforce connections and preserve precious values. On July 20th, 51 residents of the Hakalau-Wailea community gathered for the first Kumiai held since the 2019.
The plantation era tradition of the Kumiai was alive and well in the delicious potluck lunch with plenty for everyone. There was friendly competition in the raffle and the “guess-how-many” games. Akiko Masuda led the formal part of the meeting after sharing the story of how the early Kumiai served as a rapid-response team for families who experienced a death, making funeral arrangements and providing food and support to the bereaved. |
This year’s Kumiai brought neighbors together from all parts of Hakalau and Wailea to connect, to remember our community members who have passed, to welcome our new neighbors, to hear from our leaders and to discuss issues of common concern. 
Akiko Masuda, President of the Kumiai and of the Wailea Village Historic Preservation Community relaxes with neighbor and friend, Justin Yamashiro
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Aunti Sandi
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Our special guest, Auntie Sandi, (aka Sandra Keonaonaokamaileopanaewa Makuakane Claveria) shared her reflections on the vital role of community in Hawaii and power of community in our lives: |
Growing up in Hawaii, I thought the word Kumai was a Hawaiian word. I learned later in life that it was Japanese. My sense of its meaning was people getting together and forming a Hui (union) to help each other during a hardship.
How does all this relate to today? In the Kauhale or village of Hakalau, how can we bring back this spirit of Ohana where there is a connection for people to Kokua (assist) one another?
In my chant (E Ho Mai) written by my kupuna, Aunty Edith Kanaka`ole, I spoke of the importance of people taking the time to “talk story” (kukakuka) to be able to make a connection, where they take the time to care for each other (malama) and seek their spiritual essence of a higher power (Akua) and in doing so, they can live ALOHA.
I have been told by many of my Japanese friends that Kumiai isn’t practiced very much anymore. They share that their grand and great-grandparents talk about how the women of the village would go and assist the family needing assistance by cooking and cleaning. The men would go to the home if there was a death, they would dig the hole for burial.
They can see a small part of it today when there is death in a family and families would bring food to those dealing with their loss. The term koden or monies given in an envelope at a funeral is practiced by many who have been born and live in Hawaii.
Continuing Kumiai in Hawaii depends on the community and the people within it! It can only happen if the willingness for people working together (laulima) exists in the community.
How does all this relate to today? In the Kauhale or village of Hakalau, how can we bring back this spirit of Ohana where there is a connection for people to Kokua (assist) one another?
In my chant (E Ho Mai) written by my kupuna, Aunty Edith Kanaka`ole, I spoke of the importance of people taking the time to “talk story” (kukakuka) to be able to make a connection, where they take the time to care for each other (malama) and seek their spiritual essence of a higher power (Akua) and in doing so, they can live ALOHA.
I have been told by many of my Japanese friends that Kumiai isn’t practiced very much anymore. They share that their grand and great-grandparents talk about how the women of the village would go and assist the family needing assistance by cooking and cleaning. The men would go to the home if there was a death, they would dig the hole for burial.
They can see a small part of it today when there is death in a family and families would bring food to those dealing with their loss. The term koden or monies given in an envelope at a funeral is practiced by many who have been born and live in Hawaii.
Continuing Kumiai in Hawaii depends on the community and the people within it! It can only happen if the willingness for people working together (laulima) exists in the community.