Civic Action for Intentional Communities

                 Photos by Indy Rishi Singh

On Thursday, February 23, an interactive inspiring gathering, of 72 movers & shakers from 7 different communities on the Big Island met on the SeaView Lawn.

They included Hawaiian Sanctuary, Hawaiian Eco Retreats, Kumukahi Village, Kirpal Meditation and Ecological Center, La’akea, Makana Ohana, and Sundari who are committed to supporting the ideals of community, tribal, and sustainable living. The co-organizers, Madeline Whitehill Kumukahi Village Co-owner/ Community Manager, and Indy Rishi Singh a true renaissance man of neuroplasticity, laughter, soilutionary have a vision to encourage collaboration among intentional communities to share resources and co-ordinate efforts for communities to act interdependently versus individually to form a unified voice.

The rally began with musical activist, Chris Berry, who led a circle creating connection with each other and set intentions together to plant seeds for a fruitful gathering by having everyone say, “PUNA–THIS HAS BEEN HEARD’ after each person spoke.

The traditional Hawaiian blessing was led by Kalikolehua who stated, “because of the diversity of our group, bless the event with the four directions acknowledging the God’s, the other directions for our Goddesses, the direction above the direction below us, Earth Mother PapahanauMoku/IA nalanuimaomao!

Various Break-out groups followed including:

Governance Circle 

Education and involvement in local policy initiatives, CDP/Zoning/Permitting, Internal governance- 

Share knowledge about “invisible structures” 

Healing Arts Circle 

Mediation and restorative justice, Mental health modalities, plant medicine, sound healing, Grants / civic funding

Hawaiian Culture, People Circle

Forming a panel of Kanaka Maoli (Hawaiian elders) to advice 

communitiesAllyship with Hawaiian causes, Learning about Hawaiian history, culture, language

Food Sovereignty/Farm Sharing

Farm equipment rentals/shares, Seed/starters share, Build days, Ag Grants

Ashley Kierkiewicz Hawai’i County Councilwoman, of District 4 was the main speaker representing the county. Her emphatic message, “If you want to participate in the planning for Puna, SHOW UP AT THE CDP MEETINGS!” which are listed on the CDP web-site. To get the information on meetings, etc, contact CDP@hawaiicounty.gov if you want to make a difference in the County General Plan as it applies to the District of Puna as outlined: 

The Puna CDP must address each element of the County General Plan as it applies to the District of Puna. This includes a combination of land-use amendments, policies, budgetary items, public-private partnership building,   delivery of government services  and community-based implementation activities that are needed to accomplish many kinds of goals. To find more information on councilwoman, Ashley, follow Revitalize Puna on Facebook or Instagram. Or, sign up for notifications at recovery.hawaiicounty.gov/revitalizepuna

This was the best grassroots, most well organized ecological, environmental, politically correct event that included the needs of the conscious communities here with honoring Hawaiian Culture combined with taking action on a civic level through the education of what the CDP means to Puna. I applaud the organizers & all the people who attended and contributed to this event happening in real time in Puna. It’s the “Real Deal” for our millennium!

If you have an interest in participating in these groups and contributing towards making a difference in Puna’s Future, please contact the organizers: 

Madeline Whitehill: madelinerosewhitehill@gmail.com

Indy Rishi Singh: indyrishisingh111@gmail.com