This weekend was a great weekend. Kumu Hula Johnny Lum Ho and his haumana came from the Big Island to learn the process of Hawaii Salt Making in Hanapepe. It is always an honor when people want to learn a piece of our culture. When people really want to experience what we get to experience every summer.
We have been planning this meeting for about 3 weeks. 2 weeks ago I called them I said I really don't know if we will be able to go into the salt patch - the weather has been so bad and the water doesn't seem to be flowing out. They said can't help the weather - we will just go over all the pictures and documents you have. I said perfect. The week they were coming it was storming - I think it stormed all the way until there plane landed on Kauai and I was so worried they wouldn't get to fully experience the salt patch.
Friday night the first night they were here we went over everything, videos, pictures, my outline. Everything I had to give a clear picture of what pa'akai farming entailed. My father wanted to show them more. So on Saturday my dad, uncle Blackie, and my bother went to the salt patch at 6 am to start pumping out the water and clean out the wells. They worked all day - no lunch - no breaks. They were determined to make our area ready for everyone to learn. Saturday night the thunder started again and I was so worried that all that hard work would be ruined if it started to pour again. Sunday morning at 7 am we got to the salt patch and it was beautiful. It didn't rain all weekend and although everything was still muddy and the walk to our patch was underwater we were able to teach them how to make salt. You can find pictues at http://www.facebook.com/hawaiipaakai.com.
A really big thank you to My Dad, Unlce Blackie, and My Brother for all the hard work and dedication you put into showing others a piece of our tradition.