HŌʻĀ actualizes experiences rooted in ʻike Hawaiʻi that challenge and empower communities to take action in the protection, restoration and revitalization of Hawaiʻi.

ʻAha Pule ʻĀina Holo is a six-day community ceremonial relay around the circumference of Hawaiʻi island to bring in the Makahiki Season.

To herald the Makahiki season, aliʻi and kahuna once traversed the island in a clockwise procession, bearing the sacred Lonomakua staff through each district to gather tribute, purify the land, and evaluate the well-being of both the land and its people. While the modern ceremonial run honors this ancient practice by integrating many of its elements, it is important to note that ʻAha Pule ʻĀina Holo stands as a new ceremony. It is not a re-creation or substitute for the original.

2024 Schedule

  • 5:30a
    Gather at Kuahu ʻo Kūkiaʻimauna
    (Hale Pohaku) Maunakea

    6:00a
    ʻAha Alaula
    ʻAha Mauna

    8:00a
    Breakfast Potluck 

  • 4:30p
    Gather at Hāmākua Harvest, Honokaʻa
    w/ ʻAha at 5:00p

    5:30p
    Welcome ceremony community and runners. 
    Set the intention of the year.

    6:00p
    ‘Aha ʻĀina 
    Dinner
    (ʻai pono/local potluck)

  • 5:30a 
    Gather at Honokaʻa park
    w/ ʻAha Alaula 

    6:30a 
    Run: Honokaʻa - Laupahoehoe - Hilo

    12:00a-1:00p
    arrival window at Hilo Kamehameha Statue
    w/ ʻAha at 12:30p
    Lunch (ʻai pono/local potluck)
    Fresh Hilo runners, be ready to run!

    1:30p
    Run Hilo - Keaʻau - Olaʻa - Kīlauea

    6:00-7:00p
    Arrival window at Kīlauea, Kanikolea bluff
    w/ ʻAha at 6:30p

    8:00p
    Arrival at Volcano Charter School
    Dinner (ʻai pono/local potluck)

  • 5:30a
    Gather at Kīlauea, Kanikolea bluff
    w/ ‘Aha Alaula 

    6:30a 
    Run: Kīlauea - Pahala - Naʻalehu - Waiohinu

    1:00-2:00p
    arrival window at Waiohinu Park
    w/ ʻAha at 1:30p
    Lunch (ʻai pono/local potluck)
    Fresh Ka’ū runners, be ready to run!

    2:30p
    Run: Waiohinu - Manuka - Miloliʻi

    6:00-7:00p 
    arrival window at Miloliʻi
    w/ ʻAha at 6:30p

    8:00p
    Dinner (ʻai pono/local potluck)
    Space is limited,
    if possible plan accommodations for this night elsewhere

  • 5:30a 
    Gather at Miloliʻi
    w/ ʻAha Alaula 

    6:00a
    ‘Aha to send off wa’a

    6:30a
    Paddle: Miloliʻi - Honomu - Honaunau

    9:30a-10:00a
    Runner arrival window at Puʻuhonua o Honaunau
    w/ ʻAha Hale ʻO Keawe

    10:00a - 11:00a
    Waʻa arrival window of waʻa at Kealakekua Bay
    w/ ʻAha at Hikiau Heiau 

    11:30a
    Run: Kealakekua - Keauhou - Kailua

    1:00p - 2:00p
    arrival window at old Kona airport
    w/ ʻAha at 1:30p 
    Lunch (ʻai pono/local potluck)
    Fresh Kona runners, ready to run!

    2:30p
    Run: Kona - Waikoloa - Hapuna - Kawaihae

    7:00-8:00p
    arrival window Kawaihae, Puʻukohola Heiau
    w/ ʻAha at 7:30p

    8:00p
    Dinner at Lonouoali'i
    (ʻai pono/local potluck)

  • 5:30a
    Gather in front Puʻukohola heiau
    w/ ‘Aha Alaula

    6:30a 
    Run: Kawaihae - Mahukona - Hāwī - Kapaʻau

    9:00a-10:00a
    arrival window at Kapaʻau, Kamehameha Statue
    w/ ʻAha at 10:30a
    Runners to mountain road ready to run!

    11:00a
    Run: Kapaʻau - Puanui - Waika - Manaua - Waimea

    1:00p-2:00p 
    arrival window at Pūnana Leo, Hawaiian Homes Hall
    w/ ʻAha at 1:30p
    Lunch hosted by Ka Ua Pali Loa 
    Long distance runners to run! 

    2:30p
    Run: Mahiki - Waipiʻo - Kukuihaele - Kapulena - Honokaʻa

    6:00p-7:00p
    arrival window at Honokaʻa Park
    w/ ʻAha at 6:30p

    7:00p
    ʻAha 'Āina at Honoka'a Peoples Theater to follow
    ‘Ai pono ‘ai local ceremonial potluck

Formerly known as Hawaiian Cultural Center Of Hāmākua or HCCOH,

HŌʻĀ was founded by Lanakila Mangauil with other visionary community members eager to support Hawaiian cultural education. 

As the world begins to re-open we are excited to open a new primary learning center in ʻĀhualoa with five other satellite sites in December 2022.  These spaces will continue to host the wide range of community activation opportunities we are best known for including, hula, oli (chanting), hana noʻeau (arts and crafts), ʻaha (ceremony), moʻolēlo (history and storytelling), mahiʻai (food security), kahu ʻāina (land stewardship), hoʻokipa (community events), kūkūlu kaiaulu (community building) and many more!  

Press

Finding Ceremony in the Shifting of Seasons

For two Hawai‘i Island ceremonialists, re-indigenizing a people to their homeland begins with marking the seasonal transitions that Kānaka Maoli have formalized for centuries…

FLUX MAGAZINE / APRIL 23, 2024

Hōʻā is proud to offer a multitude of programs all over the world!