This month, Trustee Kaialiʻi Kahele invited Leivallyn Kaupu and Kaʻimi Kaupiko, lineal descendants of Miloliʻi, to write a manaʻo to share via his regular column.
We humbly offer this manaʻo on behalf of the lineal descendants of Hoʻōpūloa and the greater Miloliʻi community of Kapalilua, South Kona. Our families have lived along this coastline for generations, sustained by the ocean, the land, and the ʻike passed down by our kūpuna.
In 1926, the eruption of Mauna Loa dramatically changed the lives of our people.
The lava flow destroyed the thriving fishing village of Hoʻōpūloa, covering homes, fishing grounds, the local post office, and places of deep genealogical and cultural significance. Many families were forced to relocate along the coast to nearby areas, including Miloliʻi, carrying with them their traditions, ʻike lawaiʻa, and enduring connection to this place.
Although the eruption displaced our families physically, it did not sever our ties to our ancestral homeland. The descendants of Hoʻōpūloa remain here today, and the knowledge, practices, and identity rooted in that village continue through the people of Miloliʻi and the surrounding Kapalilua region.
In the 1980s, recognizing the unique needs of this rural Hawaiian fishing community, the state enacted Act 62 to support housing opportunities for families in Miloliʻi. These efforts acknowledged the importance of allowing families to remain on their ancestral lands and maintain their traditional way of life. While these initiatives provided support, many challenges remain today.
Miloliʻi, often referred to as the last Hawaiian fishing village in Hawaiʻi, continues to uphold fishing traditions, mālama our nearshore waters, and teach the next generation their kuleana to land and sea. Home to roughly 200 residents, the village includes the local congregational church of Hauʻoli Kamanaʻo, the county park, and the cultural and historical community center. Many families continue to live largely off-grid, relying on subsistence practices, strong family networks, and the passing down of traditional fishing knowledge and lifeways.
At the same time, Miloliʻi faces ongoing challenges common to many rural Native Hawaiian communities, including limited infrastructure, housing shortages, economic hardship, and access to educational and career opportunities for our youth. Despite these obstacles, our community remains resilient, guided by the strength and ʻike of our kūpuna.
Looking ahead, we believe there is great potential for Miloliʻi to continue thriving as a culturally grounded community rooted in ʻike Hawaiʻi and environmental stewardship. Our vision is to strengthen opportunities for our youth, support community-based education, mālama our natural resources, and create pathways for families to remain in the village for generations to come.
We respectfully ask the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to continue standing with communities like Miloliʻi by supporting initiatives that address housing, education, economic opportunity, and cultural preservation. By uplifting community-led efforts and honoring our genealogical ties to this place, we can ensure that the legacy of Hoʻōpūloa and Miloliʻi continues.
Our kūpuna endured displacement yet remained steadfast in their commitment to this ʻāina. As their descendants, we carry that kuleana forward.
Mahalo for the opportunity to share our voices.
