Ku‘i Kalo with Lanakila and 8th grade

A perfect bookend to their Hāloa experience in 6th grade, this year all 8th grade students experienced how to pound kalo, ku‘i kalo, and made their own poi! Students worked on boards, papa ku‘i ‘ai, made by students in the Kūleana Afterschool club, and used stones, pohaku ku‘i ‘ai, from Kumu Nau‘i Murphy’s family and one shaped by Hāloa legend Jerry Konanui. Students worked together to perfect their technique, and learned the difference between paiai (pa-e-ai) and poi. Paiai has little to no water content, and is a thicker final product. Poi has additional water and comes out more runny. It all depends on how long you work it, and how much water is added! Students were encouraged to take their kalo home to share with ohana, but many of them finished it before class was even pau!

Mahalo to the Cain family/King Laulau Brand Poi for providing 50 lbs of kalo at a discounted price for this special event. We hope we can continue this tradition for years to come.