Back in 1975 this dance of life inspired Hawai’i born Earnest Morgan, Trina Nahm-Mijo, and malihini (newcomer) me (Richard Koob), to found Kalanihonua.  With archaeologists and kanaka maoli (native) "Uncle" Kini Pe’a (President, Kalapana Community Organization) we preserved the heiau (temple) and halau (school) sites, where Kini’s mother was, in 1900, the last teacher.  With the Hawai’i County Planning Department we obtained the two special use approvals to operate an educational center for nature, culture, wellness, and sustainable living advancement.   Named by kūpuna (elder Hawaiians), Kalanihonua, a heaven-earth harmony of spiritual and physical, plus founders and friends have for 50 years provided nature, culture, wellness and sustainable lifelong learning experiences in the spirit of 'ohana and aloha.

Over the decades many wonderful individuals and group leaders became ‘ohana, i.e. extend family.  My parents plus fellow siblings, staff and friends all pitched in with sewing, cooking, mowing, teaching, building, plus planting cocos, pines, avocados, mangos, bananas, papayas, lawns and pasture throughout what became a 120 acre educational campus.  Since year 2000, over twenty steward-investors have joined the collaboration, adding twenty-eight lovely cottages -- a doubling of accommodations capacity.  Amenities that helped Kalanihonua advance as the Aloha State’s leading holistic eco-center include stellar food services; three assembly spaces; four workshop studios; 50 optional activities per week, 25 meter pool with spas; massage and yoga certification programs; laundry; crafts, gifts and grocery supplies.  Since the nearby May, 2018, lava flows the offerings of the land here continue with renovations and new steward owners as the Puna district continues to grow and offer many amenities. Now as nonprofit Ku Kalani and Koob 'Ohana Ala (KOA) are participants in an application to receive agricultural lots, lifelong wellness and learning opportunities for residents and visitors are being planned. So come enjoy peaceful, relaxing, agricultural, jungle, and coastal environments.  Here in the Ku Kalani Ocean Vista area’s farm dwellings there are kitchens for shared use with visitors, and nearby arts and athletic activities that I can introduce you to.  Much of my energy is immersion in the moment with nature, friends and forward movement, including some prep for July 4th weekend, 2026, plans to appreciate the ku kalani roots striving and heavenly rising of this lifegiving land, Kalani's 50th, my 80th, and USA's 250th cycle around our star.