OFFICE FOR SOCIAL MINISTRY
“This farm is important because … we try to create hope … We connect with land, people, children. We connect with God. God is not up in the sky. He is here in everybody.” (Luigi “Gigi” Cocquio, Hoa Aina O Makaha, Oahu)
Hopefully all are enjoying summer blessings in Hawaii nei, including any opportunity to experience the fresh, sweet, juicy sensations of mango season! For many, a favorite spot to pick these fruitful joys is on Oahu’s leeward side on the verdant garden farm Hoa Aina O Makaha, which means “land shared in friendship.” This hidden treasure has been serving the local community since 1979 under the direction of a loving married couple, Luigi “Gigi” Cocquio and Judy Seladis-Cocquio.
While recently talking story and walking with them on the farm that displays many colorful murals, including paintings of Sts. Damien and Marianne of Molokai, and surrounded by butterflies, honeybees, plumeria and rich blue Anchan flowers, Gigi and Judy expressed their humble gratitude for the multiple generations that have fostered the growth of this life-giving community garden. As they wrote in one of their thanks-giving letters:
“We believe that we are the ones who need to say THANK YOU. While reflecting on our presence for 43 years in our community, we are thankful for having been accepted by our community that has shown us the way to care and love this precious land, helping us to learn to respect the history, the culture, the traditions, and the spirit of the Hawaiian people. We are thankful for the love we have received from the thousands of children who have walked with us on the footprints of the ancestors and who have taught us to care for the land and the ocean. We are thankful for the opportunity to share with so many families the gifts from the land especially during these challenging times.”
What once was an abandoned lot of Waianae’s Sacred Heart Parish has flourished as a farm that yields an abundance of kalo, kukui, bananas, eggplants, the famous Hayden mangoes and much more. For the past four decades, Hoa Aina O Makaha has been a puuhonua, or “place of refuge and healing,” for all ages, especially the schoolchildren at the adjacent Makaha Elementary, who grew up on this aina, learning to plant and harvest organic fruits and vegetables, and feed the goats, chickens and turtles.
Students, parishioners and visitors from around the world often return to share fond memories of this place of healing, where they learned the basic Hawaiian concepts of hooponopono (to make things right), manao (wisdom), kuleana (responsibility), malama o ka aina (care for the land) and of course, the multiple meanings of living aloha.
Gigi and Judy liken the farm to an old spare tire that has no pretenses, yet offers hope: “A spare tire is an important part of the car. It is humble; it gives new hope; it helps people toward their goals; it gives them new energy when they feel without strength; it does not ask for any reward; it is happy to do its job.”
Indeed, they have been happy to do their job and serve their life purpose through the blessings of the land in Makaha. Now, it is almost bittersweet as many bid a fond aloha to this retiring couple who has lovingly cared for this garden growing hope for so long.
One of the special stories they share tells of a 10-year old girl who gave 10 cents to Gigi, saying simply, “This is to help the farm.” She gave him a big hug and as she left, he held the coin close to his heart, remembering the Gospel story in Mark about the widow who offered her last two copper coins to the collection and Jesus’s words, “Truly she gave out of her poverty.”
“Tears came down from my eyes,” Gigi said. “Probably she had saved those 10 cents and maybe it was the only money she had. So many times this story has happened during these past 43 years. That is why we are still here.”
Shortly after this incident, in 2018, the Waianae Community Comprehensive Health Center officially became the new stewards of the land, ensuring a future for the community farm.
The Cocquios now wish all a huge mahalo. “The land of Hoa Aina O Makaha — the land shared in friendship — knows each name and each heart. Names that are written in the aina, whispered by the gentle breeze from the mountains and sung by the birds in the early mornings. May the celebration of love and peace during these days fill your heart with serenity, kindness, and joy.”
Mahalo to all who have contributed to the hopeful blessings of Hoa Aina O Makaha. To read the full texts of poetic reflections on planting seeds of hope at Hoa Aina O Makaha please visit hoaainaomakaha.org. May all enjoy the fruitful hopeful blessings of being grounded in and connecting with each other to God our Creator!
Mahalo,
Your friends at the Office for Social Ministry
