2014 Renewal Weekend For Pacific Islanders at Camp Mokule'ia
The Compact of Free Association (COFA) allows Micronesians to migrate to Hawai῾i to seek better health care, education and economic opportunities. However, by leaving their cultural practices and so many support systems behind, they find it difficult to feel whole and complete in their new home. Many families struggle to raise their youth with pride in and knowledge of their home culture. Recognizing these difficulties and wanting to provide relief and hope to families, the Pacific Islander Ministry had an idea to host them for a weekend of community-building, sharing of their cultural practices and food in the spiritual place that is Camp Mokulē’ia.
With a grant from the diocesan Commission on Mission Beyond the Church, the Pacific Islander Ministry has rented the outdoor tent field at Camp Mokulē’ia. On Friday, April 4th, forty-five Chuukese who attend Episcopal churches in our Diocese will travel to the North Shore to camp out in conditions similar to their home islands. The campers range from six months to kupuna age. Community elders will be in charge of their groups.
The weekend program is under the guidance and leadership of Fane Lino, the Diocesan Missioner for Pacific Islanders, along with Pacific Islander Ministry member, Lilette Subedi, who wrote the curriculum for the weekend that is focused on cultural activities; concepts of sustainability and diets of healthy Pacific islands-style food. There will be no white rice, soda or little sausages from a can. The youth will be taught how to cook in an um (underground oven similar to an imu.) The Reverend David Turner, Director of Camp Mokulē’ia, will address ocean ecology and inform the group about sustainability practices modeled at the Camp.
The April 4th – 6th weekend is an audacious undertaking and hopefully, the first of a series of Renewal Weekends.
With a grant from the diocesan Commission on Mission Beyond the Church, the Pacific Islander Ministry has rented the outdoor tent field at Camp Mokulē’ia. On Friday, April 4th, forty-five Chuukese who attend Episcopal churches in our Diocese will travel to the North Shore to camp out in conditions similar to their home islands. The campers range from six months to kupuna age. Community elders will be in charge of their groups.
The weekend program is under the guidance and leadership of Fane Lino, the Diocesan Missioner for Pacific Islanders, along with Pacific Islander Ministry member, Lilette Subedi, who wrote the curriculum for the weekend that is focused on cultural activities; concepts of sustainability and diets of healthy Pacific islands-style food. There will be no white rice, soda or little sausages from a can. The youth will be taught how to cook in an um (underground oven similar to an imu.) The Reverend David Turner, Director of Camp Mokulē’ia, will address ocean ecology and inform the group about sustainability practices modeled at the Camp.
The April 4th – 6th weekend is an audacious undertaking and hopefully, the first of a series of Renewal Weekends.
