Established in 2013, the Mala O Kaluaopalena Community Garden is a community project and partnership between the KKV Roots cultural food program and the Towers at Kuhio Park (KPT) public housing community. Located on a quarter-acre lot inside KPT, Kaluaopalena is an important gathering place for many of KKV’s programs. Roots erected tents and a temporary sink to accommodate the various activities. When the opportunity came up to build a permanent shelter, the team hired an architect and created a structure in keeping with Pacific Island cultural aesthetics. Construction of the hale in the fall of 2022 was made possible through various private donations and grant funding.

On March 17, 2023, Hoʻolaʻa Hale Kuʻikahi, Kaluaopalena’s new shade structure, had its official blessing and public opening. In the Hawaiian language, Hale Kuʻikahi carries the meaning of a house that brings unity to our community. The word "kuʻi" refers to "kuʻi kalo", the pounding of taro, and "kuʻi ka lono" which is about how stories and resources bring communities together.

Roots engaged the Hawaiian youth participants of its Ehuola program to help out at the blessing. In the week before, the kids helped to prepare the imu and the food, and to make lei and the ʻapu for the awa.

The formal blessing was an intimate Hawaiian ceremony shared among staff from Roots and Hoʻoulu ʻĀina, the Ehuola youth, and a handful of people who were integral to the construction. This was celebrated with oli and a circle with awa and reflections on community and a sharing of gratitude for our work, this place, and participation in the project.

Afterwards, Roots hosted a larger, public celebration that welcomed all KKV staff, community, and partner organizations. KKV’s Pacific Voices youth participants performed chants and welcomed guests, who were encouraged to write down their hopes for Kaluaopalena on sticky notes. A common theme among those hopes was a dream for Kaluaopalena to become a safe place to build connections. 

KKV and Roots would like to mahalo the various donors who made building this structure possible. This included Lowe’s Home Improvement, Hawaiʻi Public Health Institute, Hawaiian Electric, AlohaCare, Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority (HTA), League of Women Voters of Honolulu, Education Fund, Hawaiʻi Dermatological Society, Kids Garden, Sarah Beaton, Dr. Patrick Ellison & John Boyer, Andrew and Jennifer Fong, Giving Fund, Dr. Douglas Johnson, Dr. Iris Noh, Dr. Ryan Sato, and Dr. Mika Yamazaki.