Kama'aina United to Protect the 'Aina (KUPA)
KUPA was created by community members in 1996 concerned about the aquarium fish collectors operating in waters fronting Ho'okena Village. Legislation was passed to establish Fish Management Areas through the efforts of this organization to prohibit the capture of tropical fish for aquarium collecting.
Friends of Ho'okena Beach Park (FOHBP)
In May 2007, KUPA established KUPA FOHBP upon signing an agreement with the Country of Hawai'i to co-manage the park. Through the University of Hawai'i at Hilo and the Hawai'i Small Business Development Network, KUPA FOHBP received Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian Institutions Serving Communities (AN/NHIAC) funds to develop a community microenterprise. The agreement required that KUPA FOHBP use microenterprise revenues to maintain the park. FOHBP has hired community members to maintain the park and provide park security via the "Ho'okena Beach Patrol".
TODAY, HO'OKENA BEACH PARK IS ONCE AGAIN ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BEACHES ON OUR ISLAND. WE GLADLY SHARE WHAT WAS ONCE AN ANCIENT FISHING VILLAGE. BUT WE WANT VISITORS TO KNOW THAT THIS REMAINS A HAWAIIAN PLACE. OUR FISHING CANOES CONTINUE TO LINE THE BEACH. THEY ARE A PROUD SYMBOL OF OUR ANCESTRAL CONNECTIONS.
what we can achieve together!
Youth Camp is POSTPONED
We Postpone the
Na Kilo O Ho'okena
opio ho'omoana TBD.
KUPA-FOHBP have partnered for the second time with Nā Maka Onaona to bring our Opio a fun way of learning by observing, interacting, and understanding their Aina. Nā Maka Onaona is a 501c-3 non-profit organization based in Hawaiʻi. Their Vision: Aina Momona: A productive and thriving Hawaii. Their Mission: To cultivate and support Aina Momona, a thriving community of people and place. Their Purpose: To provide culturally grounded educational programs and partnerships that support the overall health of our communities; mentally, spiritually, emotionally, and physically. One of Their Program is Nā Kilo ʻĀina (NKA), an initiative whose ultimate goal is Aina Momona:
Na Kilo O Ho'okena is for High School Students in the 9th - 12th grade. The Camp will be at Ho'okena Beach Park Campsite.
Check-in at 5:00 PM Fri. Sept 1st, and the camp goes through Mon. Sept 4th, Noon ( Labor Day )
There are no fees, and Limited to 50 Students.
Please Register Now to save your spot. We will confirm your enrollment in a separate email based on availability.
Please click the "Registration" Button, fill out the form, and sign the youth waiver. (these two documents are necessary to complete the registration.)
Please complete the medication release form ONLY if applicable.
Due to Circumstances, We had to Postpone the program to a later Date TBD.
Mahalo for your interest!
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
If you want to Kokua with the Na Kilo Camp, please complete the Volunteer & Waiver forms.
Areas we need help with are:
*Registration - In-Take and Coordination
*Set-Up & Take Down of tents, & equipment.
*General - Assistance with monitoring Opio and assisting the Alaka’i
*Kitchen Help: Prep, Cooks, Set-up, washing Pots & Pans, Meal set-up and Take-Down and other kitchen duties.
*Ground Management, Maintenance & Security.
CAMPING AT
HO'OKENA BEACH
PARK
Where Traditions Matter
The County of Hawaii "Ho'okena Beach Park" is managed by KUPA-FOHB
a 501(c)3 non-profit community-based organization.
Whose focus is to preserve and protect the Aina (land & sea) of this special place that locals still call home
and a few members are lineal descendants of the beach.
We are proud to share our home with you.
Ho'okena Beach Pavilion Rental
For Any Occasion
Aloha,
Our Pavilion is offered to anyone from 7 am to 8 pm during beach hours.
As with all county pavilions, it is on a first-come, first-served basis; however, if you want to secure the use of the pavilion.
You must obtain a rental permit which you can purchase here. Please adhere to these guidelines for the use of the pavilion.
No more than 40 people
The time of event use is from 7 am to 8 pm.
Remove all trash and take it with you. ( please leave facilities cleaner than you found them.)
Alcohol is permitted as outlined below. (for more info:) https://tinyurl.com/alcohol-pavilion
Please be mindful of the neighbors nearby not to disturb or enter their property without permission.
Mahalo for your kokua.
KUPA - Friends of Ho'okena Beach Park
Our Rich History
Ho'okena was a favorite place for Queen Liliuokalani who once said that she loved it because it was a village that was home to so many of her beloved Hawaiian people. At that time Hookena was populated predominantly by native Hawaiians. The harbor was the heart of the village and many people would come to the landing to meet, talk story, or wait for the ships to come in with visitors. The village was large with hundreds of people and a number or stores, bakeries, a post office, courthouse, fish market, and a pier where steamer ships would arrive weekly bringing much needed goods. Cattle were tied up along the side of the rowboats and they would swim out to the big ships where a crane would haul them on board. The cattle were to be taken to Honolulu along with other goods such as coffee and produce that was grown in Kona. Ho'okena continued to grow and in the 1890's the Chinese started to move into the village. Chinese were issued permits for cake peddling, selling food, merchandise, retail store, and pork butcher. The pier was named after the man who built it - Henry Cooper. His name was "Hawaiianized" to Kupa, hence the name Kupa Landing.
Community Outreach
Making A Difference
Keiki Fishing Tournament
To bring families of the community together to teach keiki (children) pono (righteous) practices when it comes to fishing such as "Eat what you catch, don't waste".
With this initiative, our goal is to promote great opportunities for those in need. With access to the right resources, people can become empowered by their own abilities and gain the confidence to fulfill their potential. Learn more about our work by getting in touch with our team today.
PROTECTING THE NAI'A (Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins)
Working with the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to protect resting nai'a, KUPA assisted with research into the effects of human-dolphin interaction and the impact it has on dolphin populations. Now working with NOAA, DLNR DOCARE, West Hawai'i Fisheries Council and other communities to support adoption of a 50 yard non approach rule, educate swimmers about the nai'a and stricter enforcement of the Marine Mammal Protection Act through greater presence and outreach of NOAA and DLNR officers and personnel.
ANNUAL OUTRIGGER CANOE ONO FISHING TOURNAMENT
Ono is the Hawaiian name of a type of fish also known as mackerel and wahoo.
This unique tournament has been held annually for 34 years featuring the outrigger canoes that line the beach used for generations by lineal descendant of Kupa o ka 'aina o Ho'okena (natives/long time residents of Ho'okena).
