Iopa Maunakea: Standing Firm with the Men of PA‘A
By Ma‘ata Tukuafu
Dry land taro plants are being hand-watered by two young men, one with headphones and the other holding a sprayer, in the Pāhoa morning sun. Banana trees, young la‘i (ti leaf), coconut, ‘ulu, and other thriving endemic plants are carefully planted and encircled by lava rocks found on the land. This is the seven-acre headquarters for Men of PA‘A, a 501(c)3 nonprofit that was originally founded by Iopa Maunakea in 2006.
Iopa explains that the leased land was run down and misused by tenants from 1994 to 2004. After regaining the land, he was able to clean up the acreage to prepare it for a positive and regenerative use, a reintegration program for released prisoners and other community projects for the betterment of community.
PA‘A, which means solid or firm in Hawaiian, is also an acronym for Positive Action Alliance, a thriving organization that has done much good on this island. Iopa, also known as the musician Bruddah Kuz, says all of this would never have happened if he didn’t start out with his 2000 CD release “Talkin’ Da Kine,” with the Bruddah Kuz Band.
“It was at the events from performing that helped create the partnerships we have today,” Iopa says. “It evolved into gathering community to help with church events and other local festivals and gatherings. The music of Bruddah Kuz was the vehicle that inspired the Men of PA‘A.”
Iopa worked as an operating engineer with the Local 3 Union, surveying and flying back and forth from O‘ahu. Retiring in June 2020, he began planting food, rejuvenating the land, and uplifting men’s spirits. He says during his career, work was routine, following set hours, but he’s now busier than ever, sustaining the programs he has created.
Iopa’s success story with helping others begins with his grandmother Katherine Maunakea. Born in 1907, Katherine is the kupuna who set the foundation for the work ethic and aloha that her descendants carry forth today. Despite high poverty while living in Nanakuli, O‘ahu, Katherine was a teacher to many people. She knew that imparting self-confidence in the Hawaiian community would make them strong and capable. She published books on lauhala preparation and weaving, Hawaiian medicine, and a prayer book. Katherine, who was very humble, was awarded and recognized for her many deeds and accomplishments before she passed in 1994.
“I’ve realized that she was setting me up to do much of the same work she did,” Iopa says. “I garner all the kūpuna ‘ike [wisdom] I can see, and exchange how it works for us today. We find resources, make strategic plans, and be administratively sound and transparent.” He mentions that one of his grandmother’s favorite ‘ōlelo no‘eau was, “Ne Huli ka lima iluna Pololi ka Opu, Ne Huli ka lima ilalo, Piha ka Opu.” (When your hands are turned up like a beggar you have an empty stomach. When your hands are turned down to the land, you have a full stomach.)
His nephew, Dr. Alika Maunakea, is a geneticist at University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. Iopa’s sister helped found the thriving Ma‘o Farms, a nonprofit organic farm in Waianae, O‘ahu. She was instrumental in assisting Iopa with setting up the Men of PA‘A as a nonprofit. Tutu Katherine’s legacy of empowering others has been carried forward through Iopa, his extended family, and her many students who are kūpuna today.
Bradduh Kuz and Men of PA‘A tie everything together. Iopa had to learn how to be in compliance for the 501(c)3 and what it takes to set up a nonprofit. It allowed him to collaborate with other organizations and assist them with setting up their programs. Men of PA‘A, Iopa says, is about “people helping people, helping people. Itʻs an ‘āina-based recovery program from those coming out of the justice system.” The program has evolved, adding agricultural sustainability and stewardship of farms on the island’s varied districts. Iopa’s father and grandfather were born in Waipi‘o, and near the falls of Hi‘ilawe, the Men of PA‘A have established a lo‘i patch (irrigated, usually for growing taro) while taking care of the stream waters, culturally connecting the men who participate.
The organization provides farming assistance to Sage Farms in Kohala, and also manages their own small farm in Hawi. Kalo is grown and maintained in Pāhoa and they are propagating small mamaki plants in Miloli‘i. The nonprofit also helps farms in other areas of Ka‘ū. Iopa works with different hubs around the island, assisting farmers with “getting up to speed,” then leaving the farmers to maintain it.
“We are creating our own economics, and we hire people out to other folks. We are working with both farms and churches,” Iopa says.
With help from the County of Hawai‘i, Men of PA‘A utilizes various methods to support in the rehabilitation of the men: moving out abandoned cars, picking up rubbish along the roads, and assisting the community during the 2018 lava flow. Iopa says they are trying to change the way things have been done in the past, and works with the county in partnership to assist them in fulfilling their kuleana.
“We cannot expect different results if we keep doing things the same way. Public works is starting to find different ways of doing things,” says Iopa. “There are 30 of us who are active and organized. It feels good to make a difference, and hopefully we have a good rapport with the county, the prosecuting attorney, and the mayor, because with collaboration we can get more done.”
During 2020 and 2021, Men of PA‘A have continued to make a difference despite the hardships presented by Covid-19. In order to continue serving the people, Iopa made sure Covid protocols were in place: they sanitized every place they worked, adopted masks, did temperature checks, and submitted to monthly testing. He says that when they met face to face, it made them confident in their space. The group distributed food, gas cards, and plants to Puna residents. They were able to work with the census bureau and signed up 123 families which brought in approximately $700,000 worth of resources to the Puna district. He added that working the census allowed Men of PA‘A to engage their civil duties.
Iopa feels tourism came back too quickly, and that decision has affected the people of Hawai‘i. Another decision by the “powers that be” that adversely affected the community was when “people were let out of jail with no thought of what might happen,” he says. “We didn’t receive support for the release, yet we were affected deeply by it. We helped the clientele; we supported them and [eventually] by collaborating with the county, we have done good,” he said.
Recovery is at the foundation of what Men of PA‘A represents. Iopa says, “When the kāne gets better, the family gets better, and who benefits? The community.” Working closely with Big Island Substance Abuse Council and other nonprofits helps with the success rate, as well as being productive and staying safe.
After creating the offshoot program, Women of PA‘A, as a support system for the wives, girlfriends, and other family members, he sees the ‘ohana in the community healing and getting better. If they need help in any way, they are directed to resources and teamed up, or as he says, “We’ve created an ‘ohana piece. Mentorship for wāhine to share and to relate with one another. Now some women are really mentoring others.” The nonprofit has also begun mentoring in schools, specifically with 9th and 10th graders, a very crucial age of growth.
Meanwhile, many of the newly released prisoners are not ready or prepared to enter the workforce. Men of PA‘A helps them get cleaned up, teaches them principles, commitment, discipline, and how to “get good” with self, family, and home. By helping them practice these principles, he says, unity is achieved.
After developing a structured system, Men of PA‘A has seen hundreds of men through the program since its humble beginnings in 2006. It’s a process Iopa has enjoyed learning about, and he says he’s “seen a lot and learned even more.”
“I’ve found my niche—helping people. And living our ‘ohana’s legacy. I have rapport with people. When you know people well, they come to me and say they would go to hell and back to help out,” Iopa says. “We are creating our own ecosystem and bringing in agencies. We are creating our own space that has a symbiotic relationship. Now we have four other kūpuna and two administrators on our team.”
With more team members, additional programs have been put into place. Men of PA‘A’s umbrella organization, Kanaka o Puna (which translates to “Being Stewards of Puna”) builds community. Hawaiian cultural classes are offered to the public as well as workshops about incorporating healthy food into the diet. Sustainable agriculture classes and lua (Hawaiian martial arts) courses are provided. Iopa believes two things are very important to a successful organization: being very conscious of the overall strategic plan, as well as being honest with what is needed so help may be offered.
“The system we’ve had in place does not set us up for success and it’s been so divided. No waha/grumble…enough already because aloha ‘āina has to be lived, not talked about,” Iopa says. “We’ve set up our clientele to be successful. WE have to do it, not wait for anyone else. We’re fighting to identify ourselves and practice ancestral and cultural kuleana. We are helping through this program, and now we are collaborating throughout the islands.” ❖
All photos courtesy of Iopa Maunakea
For more information: kanakaopuna.org
