Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 31, Number 6, 1 June 2014 — Kauaʻi Nui Kuapapa launches [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Kauaʻi Nui Kuapapa launches

Aloha from Kaua'i and Ni'ihau! Mahalo this month to the County of Kaua'i and the Kaua'i District Health Office for partnering with

the Department of Defense Reserve Affairs to present Tropic Care Kaua'i 2014, available from June 16-26, 2014. Since 2012, this annual event offers free health services like physical examinations, vision eheek and glasses, dental care and more to anyone who needs it. Tropic Care allows military reservists who are medical professionals to provide services for under-

served communities. This year's theme is "Mālama, Ha'aheo, Kaulana I Kou Olakino" (Take Care, Take Pride, Celebrate Your Health). Clinic sites will be available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 'Ele'ele Elementary School, Kaua'i Community College and Kapa'a Middle School. Clinics close at 3 p.m. on June 22 only. For more information, eall 241-3555 or email tck2014@doh.hawaii.gov. In other developments on Kaua'i, I'm very proud and happy to report that Kaua'i Nui Kuapapa, sometimes referred to as the Kaua'i Sign Project, has launched under the guidance of several community leaders, including Dr. Keao NeSmith. Translated as "Kaua'i of great genealogies," this is a cultural and historical project developed by Nā Hōkū Welo LLC in conjunction with the Office of Mayor Bernard Carvalho, whieh entails signage, website support and media. The project is designed to revitalize Kaua'i's rich cultural heritage utilizing signage and state-of-the-art technology. The various types of media integrated into Kaua'i Nui Kuapapa demonstrate 21st-century tech-

nology in new and exciting ways that are interactive, informative, attractive and fun. The project uses signage and prominent, well-known features of our island to identify Kaua'i's five moku (major

districts expanding from Kaua'i's highest mountain, Wai'ale'ale, to the sea), with Ni'ihau as the sixth moku of the County, and Kaua'i island's estimated 52 ahupua'a (subdivision within a moku), as well as waterways touching Kaua'i's main roadways. The project's overall goal is to educate kama'āina and malihini aboutplace names, stories and cultural aspects associated with particular places, moku and ahupua'a,

wise stewardship over our land and environment, and a sense of community and caring for eaeh other. Kaua'i Nui Kuapapa was developed in response to Mayor Carvalho's vision that culturally appropriate signage would help create awareness of Kaua'i's traditional land divisions. Through this project, Mayor Carvalho wanted to make sure we are aware of where we are and gain a deeper understanding and appreeiahon for the unique history and attributes of these areas. To learn more about the project, please visit www.kauainuikuapapa. eom. Finally, here's a shout-out to all of the participants in this year's Merrie Monarch Festival and the many hands that work to put on this annual event. I want to especially recognize Kaua'i's own Hālau Ka Lei Mokihana o Leinā'ala guided by Kumu Leinā'ala Pavao Jardin. They took fourth plaee in the Wahine 'Auana awards. Maika'i! Mahalo nui loa ! ■

Dan Ahuna TrustEE, Kaua'i and Ni'ihau