Resetting in Hilo: Connecting with ʻĀina at the 2024 Board and Staff Retreat

After a four-year hiatus, HIPHI hosted its annual Board and Staff retreat! On Friday, September 13, staff and members of the Board of Directors gathered in Hilo, the perfect environment for a full day of reflection, team-building, and strategic planning. 

The morning began at Waiuli, also known as Richardson’s Beach Park, where we were hosted by Hui Hoʻoleimaluō, a local non-profit organization whose mission is to perpetuate the Native Hawaiian traditional practices of sustainability through hands-on STEM education and community work events. We had the opportunity to learn about Waiuli’s coastal ecosystem and contribute to the restoration of Honokea Loko, a local fish pond. In ancient days, Honokea Loko was once the main food source for the community of Keaukaha. It was believed that a loko iʻa was a reflection of the health of a community, so if the loko iʻa was abundant, that community was thriving. 

Our team jumped right into hana (work)! From moving rocks on land to clearing weeds obstructing the freshwater springs of Honokea Loko, the HIPHI team embraced the cultural practices. To close the day, we gathered at the Arc of Hilo to reflect, brainstorm, and chart HIPHI’s direction for the coming years. HIPHI is currently developing its new five-year strategic plan with the assistance of Davidoff Strategy, a national consulting firm, and Josh Levinson, a local expert and longtime partner. We are grateful for these opportunities to reaffirm our vision of health in Hawaiʻi.