LIHU‘E — Since 1988, the trustees of the Kaua‘i Museum have acknowledged special people as “Living Treasures” for their contributions to culture, education and the welfare of the people and communities of Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau. Married for 53 years, Aunty
LIHU‘E — Since 1988, the trustees of the Kaua‘i Museum have acknowledged special people as “Living Treasures” for their contributions to culture, education and the welfare of the people and communities of Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau.
Married for 53 years, Aunty Loke and Uncle Charlie Pereira do everything together. While they may not do the same work, share the same achievements, or even opinions, everywhere they go, everything either one does, is shared in and made possible by the other.
In the Hawaiian way, they learned knowledge of the past, of fishing and lives lived from the ocean. One of their main teachers was Loke’s father Andrew Lovell, once the konohiki for inshore fishing areas from Kealia to Pila‘a.
Aunty Loke grew up on the reefs of the Ko‘olau district of Kaua‘i. She has deep knowledge of the fish and limu of these areas and how to care for them. Uncle Charlie sews ‘upena, (nets) for throw net fishing, (holei ‘upena).
Many of the younger people you see out fishing today use ‘upena sewn by Uncle Charlie. Along with the net, Uncle gives lessons on how to use it, the laws and practices regarding taking of the fish, and the taking only what you need from the ocean and sharing.
Aunty Loke and Uncle Charlie together teach of the abundance of Kauai’s natural resources, and the self-sufficiency of a community sharing these resources with one another. This lifestyle depends upon continued access to the beach and they are concerned that coastal areas of Ko‘olau have become increasingly privatized and gated.
They both began to address this issue through advocating to maintain parking at Moloa‘a beach. Through this effort, they met members of the Sierra Club, and Aunty Loke worked with them to preserve beach access, fishing trails and right-of-ways to Papa‘a Beach.
Both believe in giving youth the tools to feed themselves and care for their resources so there is always plenty. Aunty Loke recalls walking the reef after school in the month of May, caring for and cleaning the limu kohu beds so they would grow healthy.
She brings that early practice into all aspects of her life, reminding us that “malama ‘aina” is not just a slogan, but something we must practice every day in small ways, making sure that as we gather, and are fed by the ‘aina, we must leave it cleaner than we found it. “You keep the good and holomua, always.”
Join the celebration on Aug. 15 at the Hilton Kaua‘i Beach Resort’s Jasmine Ballroom. Tickets are available at the Kaua‘i Museum Gift Shop, 246-2470.
