This Black August, Mākua Valley is calling. Hele mai. Come home.

The Black August tradition encourages us as a community to engage in education throughout the month as a way to continue the spirit of resistance against the effects of colonialism and imperialism in our lives. In Hawaiʻi, resisting those oppressive forces means centering the indigenous people of this land, their culture, and their struggles. Itʻs in this spirit that we’re partnering with Outdoor Afro Hawai‘i and Mālama Mākua for this Black August Mākua Valley Cultural Access.

Deadline to register is Friday, August 16, at 11 p.m. RSVP here.

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Mākua Valley is calling and welcoming you home. Hele mai to sacred Mākua on the next cultural access Sunday, August 25. Connect. Come home.

This access will begin at 8 a.m. on Sunday, August 25. Access participants will visit kiʻi pōhaku, the petroglyph rock near the front of the valley, and also visit and connect with an ancient site. This access has a section that is medium strenuous. Please note that there is little to no shade in Mākua.

Mākua Valley has been used as a live fire training area since the 1930s and remains occupied by the U.S. Army. While hiking is involved (along dirt roads cleared of unexploded ordinances), access to the valley is primarily for the purpose of connecting to place through cultural practice. Mākua has hosted many groups from around the world since cultural access began in 2002. The access on August 25 will highlight the cultural and political connections between the Hawaiian Kingdom and the African diaspora, particularly as it relates to U.S. militarism.

For more information, please visit malamamakua.org.

Cultural access information is available here.