for Maui’s Pelligrino family
For a hundred years, Noho’ana Farm
in Waikapu was left untended.
Family-owned, it’s been restored.
We are treated to a demonstration of
how breadfruit (‘ulu) is kneaded.
Then it’s passed around like Jesus’ loaves
and fishes feeding the five thousand.
Kalo is taro. Wai is water.
Ka wai ola means life-giving waters.
Lo’i is an irrigated terrace or pond to grow taro,
around which saw pinaos* *Hawaiian dragonflies
and pulelehuas** dance and dip. **native Hawaiian butterflies
Ola i ka wai means In water, there is life.
Today, we focus all our attention on
the Waikapu Stream, on Kuleana
agricultural land, on one restored
wetland – lo ‘i kalo, breadfruit trees
and the fragrant breeze free of non-
native flora. Restoring the land
is another way to return to the heart
of the Creator, to realize light
has conquered darkness.
Vibrant in every drop of water,
Love and Life – heartbeat of Earth’s
crystal core. This land, though once
wasted and exploited, is returning
now to a point of balance between
biological productivity and
stability. Praise be this family
going with rather than against
nature’s bent. Truly something’s
mysterious in the taro paddy.
The plants are talking to the sky.
Listen to its reply. All is still
and calm. We must watch
attentively, with reverence, this
miracle unfolding. A dragonfly
has settled on my shoulder.
The water is lit with sunlight
and serenity. Listen to how
each plant is respiring
ever so gladly.
Note: Hokuao Pellegrino, co-owner and manager, proudly shows off his family’s ancient lo’i kalo (taro patch), describes the bilingual placed-based (‘aina-based) education program designed to engage all ages in the value of traditional Hawaiian agriculture and food preparation, and ethno-botanical uses of native plants and water (wai) resource management within a cultural landscape. www.nohoanafarm.com/
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Diana Woodcock has authored seven chapbooks and six poetry collections, most recently Heaven Underfoot (2022 Codhill Press Pauline Uchmanowicz Poetry Award), Holy Sparks (2020 Paraclete Press Poetry Award finalist) and Facing Aridity (2020 Prism Prize for Climate Literature finalist). A three-time Pushcart Prize nominee and Best of the Net nominee, she received the 2011 Vernice Quebodeaux Pathways Poetry Prize for Women (for her debut collection, Swaying on the Elephant’s Shoulders). She teaches at VCUarts Qatar. www.dianawoodcock.com.
