KANEOHE, Hawai'i – On Sunday, November 12, 2023 the 2023/24 Hawai'i Pacific University Lady Sharks softball team was invited to Waimea Valley to participate in an educational workday hosted by Kaulamealani Diamond, Cultural Programs Manager and Michael Herrera, Volunteer and Special Projects Coordinator of Hi'ipaka LLC, Waimea Valley. The team adhered to native Hawaiian traditional protocol at Hale O Lono (House of Lono) dedicated to the Hawaiian god, Lono. 

In Hawaiian culture, traditional protocol expects that visitors are accompanied by a host and their presence is announced through oli (chant) while waiting for a reply either granting or rejecting the visit.  Diamond and her Waimea Valley staff presented a ho'okupu (gift) to Lono, as an offering to welcome the team and usher in the season of Makahiki (time of rest, sport and celebration).  Lono is associated with peace, fertility, agriculture, rainfall and music, and every year during ho'oilo (winter, rainy season) Lono is the presiding god.

Hoku Ching, a senior from Pauoa, Hawaii shared "makahaki season is all about embracing the spirit of community, gratitude, and celebration.  I enjoyed being able to come out together as a team to help the community of Waimea Valley and learn more about the Hawaiian culture."  

Waimea Valley is an ahupua'a, a division of land stretching from the mountains to the sea.  Land was divided this way in Hawai'i for many reasons, the most important of which was to ensure each community within the ahupua'a had the resources they needed to survive. Resources are found at various elevations and places within each ahupua'a. By dividing land in this way, each community had access to forest land, fresh water from the mauka region, various ecological for planting different crops, and a path to the ocean for fishing and travel.

The team helped to clear and remove fallen leaves, branches, overgrown weeds like momordica charantia (bitter melon), carica papaya (papaya), and brachiaria mutica (California grass) from Hale Iwi (House of Bones).  They also cleared walking paths and staircases to make the area safe to access.

Freshman Layla Molina from Manteca, California said, "I enjoyed how we were able to help clean and preserve such a sacred place.  I learned a lot about the history and traditions of the native Hawaiians."

The Lady Sharks host the annual alumni game on Saturday, January 27, 2024 at noon at the historic Howard A. Okita Field. HPU will kick off their season on the road against Westcliff University on February 1st at The Great Park in Irvine, California.  The Sharks will play a five game series at Concordia University's Invitational Tournament on February 2^nd to 4^th and play back-to-back doubleheaders at California State University, San Bernardino and California State University, San Marcos on February 5th  and 6th respectively.