Hoping to complete the Na No’eau O Lokelani workshop building by late spring of 2023, a nonprofit has raised $70,000 but needs another $100,000 more to finish the 1,650-square-foot building. Kumu Hula Hokulani Holt gave the center its name, which means “The Arts of Lokelani.”

“Our goal is to always have a safe place where people can come and rejuvenate and learn and make connections with others in the community, and you know, help their own self development and be better, leave the space renewed,” said Lokelani Ohana Director Christina Chang on Sunday afternoon. “We work pretty hard to do that.”

The 16-year-old nonprofit creates socially therapeutic programs with elements of native Hawaiian culture for adults with developmental disabilities or special needs. Lokelani Ohana also offers long-term residential support at its open 11-bedroom, 7.5-bathroom home off site — they have raised $97,000 towards a separate $128,000 goal for ADA renovations at the home.

Adults living with disabilities are often misunderstood or overlooked, so the staff emphasize recognizing “the whole person” by creating a safe space where individuals can creatively express themselves and be heard, she said.  

Kumu Napua Barrows teaches a Hawaiian cultural class near the kukui tree at the nonprofit Lokelani Ohana farm. CHRISTINA CHANG photo

“If we meet each person with dignity and respect, and we have the opportunity to see each other as equals, we all in our community – everyone has weaknesses and strengths – we can have a meaningful life, or a life filled with meaningful work,” she added. “If you’re going to be working with someone with disabilities, one has to lead with their heart…  also, patience, unconditional love, tolerance, kindness.” 

Na No’eau O Lokelani is about 60 percent completed, including the structure itself. It’s now ready for drywall, electric, plumbing and many ADA projects, such as a landing pad, ramp with double entrance, ADA cabinets and workstations for the kitchen and creative arts area, and an ADA bathroom.

The completed resource center will be able to serve 5,000 individuals per year, including those who are neurodivergent, as well as veterans, kupuna and families in need. 

The educational workshops that will be offered include public farm tours from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays; biodynamic calendar and gardening; five-element nutrition and healing; “Stay Healthy with the Seasons” quarterly workshops; raw food preparation, medicinal plants preparations; flower essences; yoga and hula with many teachers. 

“Just having a space where there’s opportunity for movement, for having a large group for education and all of these activities,” Chang said.

Napua Barrows will be teaching Hawaiian cultural arts, kukui tree class, lei-making, seaweed restoration and chanting. Maureen Curran-Turtletaub will offer movement education. There will also be saori weaving with Melissa Haggerty, as well as creative arts and crafts, eurythmy and watercolor.

Individuals can also work with kapa, natural dyes, lauhala, coconut weaving, lapala’au and indigenous plants. 

Inspiration behind the Lokelani Ohana programs and activities comes from Camphill Movement, a worldwide initiative dedicated to building communities where people with intellectual disabilities and other kinds of special needs can find purpose and belonging, said Chang, who has a daughter living with autism who benefited from this foundation. 

Camphill, and likewise with Lokelani, is built through love, respect and dignity, and being stewards of the land and living a rich cultural life with community, she said. 

This is particularly important following the COVID-19 pandemic, when isolation exacerbated some of the emotional challenges. So, Chang said she’s feeling hopeful and looking forward to providing more support and education for the community.

“Having the tours, the classes open to the public and open to integrated groups and also just partnering with waiver agencies with people with disabilities, it’s a socially therapeutic and educational experience,” she said. “There’s just so much to learn.”

Described as a refuge and sanctuary, the 1.29-acre Wailuku farm served as a kalo farm for many years before the land became a space for biodynamic farming and growing a variety of produce for harvest.

“It’s just a very tranquil and nourishing environment that we feel, honored, really, to take care of and also to make available for others’ benefits, for healing, for education, for nourishment and for social opportunities,” she said. 

To volunteer, to donate funding or labor, or for more information about Lokelani Ohana, visit http://lokelaniohana.org

* Dakota Grossman can be reached at dgrossman@mauinews.com.