Ualani Cleaning Lo‘i, 2022

In 1999, a local community organization, the Hui Maka‘āinana o Makana, approached the State for permission to actively steward the cultural and environmental resources that were steadily degrading at Ha‘ena – restoring ancient lo‘i kalo, clearing invasive overgrowth, and reconnecting residents to the history and traditions of their ancestors. Here six year-old Ualani Walters clears a lo’i of invasive limu (seaweed) and apple snails. The limu compete with the kalo for nitrogen and the invasive apple snails. The snails damage taro plants by chewing into the top of the corm leaving a hole where bacteria and other pathogens can enter. This damage either kills the plant or drastically reduces crop quality and yield. Apple snails also eat the young kalo shoots.  PHOTO PRINTSPrints are on Hahnemuhle heavyweight (315 gsm) 100% archival cotton “Photo Rag Baryta” paper, using archival inks and archival spray coating. They have a 200-year life expectancy before any deterioration of the print will