The malama is Kāʻelo. The anahulu is Poepoe, enjoy the full moons! It is Hoʻoilo, wet season.

Aloha and welcome to our little corner of the internet and your inbox, Gather Core. Thank you for tuning in. Our focus is place based storytelling. We aim to offer a space where stories and resources are shared, people and the work they do is uplifted, and readers stay updated on seasonal shifts and community happenings.

Kaulana mahina differs depending where in the pae ʻāina you are. For the timing of moon phases we rely primarily on our visual observations where we kilo in Hilo and Hāmākua. When needed we refer to Ka Mahina Project, Mahina App, and Moon Phase Calendar & Compass App. Among the options from nūpepa Hawaiʻi and various kumu and organizations for the names of the months, the past year of this newsletter we have followed the calendar provided by Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council. Moving forward we will be following the Prince Kuhio Hawaiian Civic Club’s calendar, which was inspired and created through the research of the late Aunty Bobbee Mills-Diaz; and edited, updated, and enhanced by Kalei Nuʻuhiwa. https://www.pkhcc.org

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Check back in with this issue on our newsletter’s webpage for changes throughout the anahulu, additions or if we’ve run out of stock - updated daily https://gathercore.beehiiv.com

Song of the Anahulu

Just Keep Banging by Homework Simpson

Selections by Māwae - vinyl DJ available for events. Contact @braddahmawae on Instagram or [email protected] for inquiries.

Hub Happenings

Onomea Farm Hub, Project Kanu, and The Lei Bar present: Malama Aina & Farm-to-Lei Monthly Community Day at OFH Farm in Papaikou. Get grounded with Aina and each other. Featuring Meakanu of the month.

This is a 6 month installation to:
-malama aina & cultivate food
-provide education on lei & fiber crafting
-foster connection to canoe crops & native plants
-build community, share space with each other
-keiki fun
-get involved in developing our shared Hub spaces/facilities

Register for January 31st Farm-to-Lei Community Day here

Register here for Galentine’s Day Tea Party & Lei Poʻo Workshop at The Lei Bar

Community Happenings

• Explorers of Lawaiʻa: a science and culture pop-up exhibit by inPEACE at ʻImiloa starting Wed Jan. 28th

• 2026 HIAA Invitational Exhibition at Wailoa Art Center showing until Mon Feb. 16th. https://www.wailoacenter.com/exhibitions-1

• Micro-Grants for Food Security Program (MGFSP) Application Deadline on Thurs Feb. 19th, 12pm noon. Funding opportunity for food producers. Find more info and apply here

• TCBES Speaker Series: Mushrooms and Other Fleshy Fungi of the Hawaiian Islands w/ Dr. Don Hemmes on Thurs Jan. 29th, 3:30-4:30pm at ʻImiloa Planetarium. Reserve your spot for this free event here

• 2026 Hawaiian Language Classes Open Registration w/ Kumu Kawehi on Fridays: Level 3 Conversational Practice at 4pm, Jan. 30th & Level 1 Beginner Grammar at 5pm, Feb. 6th, and Wednesdays: Level 2 Conversational Practice at 5pm, Feb. 11th. Register now for the 8-week sessions at https://www.nakumukawehi.org

• GoFarm Hawai'i Open House on Sat Jan. 31st, 9-11am at their 'Alae Hawai'i Island Training Site. Student-run farm stand so you can have an opportunity to support the current cohort’s farm journey. Curious about farmer training programs or looking to collaborate? Register for free at https://gofarmhawaii.org

• Ka Huli Hou - The Aloha Wear Revival on Sat Jan. 31st, 5-9pm at Nani Mau Gardens. A celebration of Hawaiian fashion, culture, & community. Swap, shop, learn. Live music & hula, fashion showcase, DJ, bar & concessions. Free admission, donations welcomed. Get VIP tickets here

• Ke Kula Kaiapuni 'o Kalaniana'ole Informational Session for Incoming Kindergarten Parents on Thurs Feb. 5th, 5pm at Kalaniana'ole School Cafeteria in Pāpaʻikou. If interested fill out this form 

• Hui ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi on Fri Feb. 6th & Feb. 20th, 5-6pm at Ka Waihona in Island Nation. E hele mai! Join us as we gather and hold space for 'ōlelo Hawaiʻi. This is not a formal class, but a welcoming space to practice, listen, learn, and build confidence in 'ōlelo Hawaiʻi together. We will focus on beginner level speaking skills but all levels of 'ōlelo Hawaiʻi are welcome. No registration required. https://www.kawaihona.com 

• The Chocolate Club on Feb. 7th, 11am-1pm at Big Island Vanilla in Hakalau. Dive into a world of rich flavors, meet fellow chaco-enthusiasts, and indulge your taste buds. It’s all about good vibes, great company, and, of course, lots of chocolate. https://www.ravenhanna.com 

• Unko Apu’s ʻUpena Repair Workshop every 2nd Sunday of the month. Feb. 8th, 12:30-4:30pm at Ka Waihona in Island Nation. Materials & tools provided. Register at https://www.kawaihona.com 

• Hale O Lono Workday every 2nd Saturday of the month. Feb. 14th. 9am-11:30am. Join them in connecting with ʻāina through traditional Hawaiian fishpond management in Keaukaha. More info at instagram.com/hale_o_lono and edithkanakaolefoundation.org/sites Potluck encouraged. Recommended to bring tabis, gloves, sunscreen, and water.

• Pepeʻekeo Mill Farmer’s Market on Sun Feb. 15th, 10am-4pm. Join us for a delightful experience filled with fresh, locally-grown produce, artisanal goods, and a wonderful community atmosphere. Interested vendors? Email [email protected]. HWY 19 & Sugar Mill Rd, Pepeʻekeo, HI 96783. instagram.com/pepeekeo.mill.farmers.market 

• Pepeʻekeo Community Development Corporation Quarterly Meeting on Sun Feb. 15th, 3-5pm at Kulaʻimano Community Center https://www.pepeekeocommunity.org https://www.instagram.com/pcdc96783

• Financial Foundations for Farms: Accounting + Lender Insights & Taxes Session #1 Accounting Basics on Mon Feb. 16th, 5:30-7pm via Zoom. Session #2: Q/A with a CPA on Mon March 2nd 5:30-7pm via Zoom. Register at https://gofarmhawaii.org 

• Island Soul Session: Hoʻoilo 2026 with Will Evans, Kuʻulei, and Pohai on Fri Feb. 20th, 6:30-10pm at The Airhouse/Aerial Arts Hawaiʻi. Island Soul Session returns with an intimate winter gathering rooted in conscious music, presence, and connection. Hoʻoilo is the Hawaiian season of rain, reflection, and inward turning - a time to gather close, warm the spirit, and listen deeply. This listening room is intentionally crafted to honor that season through music that speaks to the heart, the land, and the shared human experience. Get tickets here.

• Niu Festival on Sun Feb. 22nd, 9am-1pm @ Haili St: Niu Street Activation and Workshops: Papale weaving, niu grating, drum-making, niu variety & stage identification, digital niu storytelling workshop + 2-5pm @ Palace Theater: Niu Forever film screening & Ho'oponopono talk story. Join for sharing of 'ike niu, mo'olelo in the digital age, and discussion of our mutual emergence. RSVP for the film screening at https://hilopalace.com/palace-event/niu-forever/

• Ola Ke Kanaka Health Series: Lāʻau Lapaʻau - ʻŌlena & ʻAwapuhiʻai: Make a tea, tincture, ear/nasal drops on Sat Feb. 28th, 9-11am in Keaukaha. Keaukaha Homestead and Kingslanding residents are priority… Please help spread the word! Heal your ʻohana with lāʻau that grow all around us. Make long lasting medicines to add to your first aid kit and medicine cabinet. ʻOhana and keiki welcome! Learn about Ola Ke Kanaka and register for free here

• Onomea Country Market is a distribution location for Hawaiʻi Farm-To-Car by Hoʻōla Farms; an online farmers market for local produce, meat, eggs, cheese, baked goods, value-added products, and more. SNAP/EBT accepted. Shop online Friday-Monday and pickup on Wednesdays from 3pm-5pm at the Pepeʻekeo location. https://hoolafarms.org/hawaii-farm-to-car/

Follow this link https://linktr.ee/gathercore to make submissions for Community Happenings