August 11, 2020

“When I do something wrong or when I mess up I take responsibility
for it, and I don’t give up.  I’ll try until I get it right.”

Large blue, green eyes remind me of a translucent alkaline pool – clear, strong, unwavering. Her eight-year-old hands are busy crafting a kūpeʻe made from yellow lāʻī, which she presents to me – a gift. 

Papi Jackson is our youngest ʻĀina Warrior to be interviewed to date.  She was born on the land in her family’s home here at Hoʻoulu ʻĀina.  Her small yet strong body shifts trying to get comfortable, using her toe as an anchor to hold the lāʻī in place as she twists the strands of leaves into a wristlet.

“I really like gardening with my mom,” she says with a huge smile.  “I like making tea with her, and hearing her stories about when she was young.  And I love cooking with her because I learn about eating healthy.”

“Oh yah,” she giggles.  “I like talking story a lot, and you can do it here.”  Hoʻoulu  ʻĀina has become a second home to Papi and her siblings where staff have become hānai aunties and uncles.  Papi not only loves the people who work here but loves the freedom this place holds.  “There’s not a lot of boundaries,” she says thoughtfully.  “I am never bored.  There’s so much to do.”

On any given day, you can find Papi helping Aunty Pua processing lāʻau lapaʻau  or standing on Aunty Eunice’s step stool in the kitchen to mix up an ʻulu cake, or creating giant soap bubbles with Uncle Doug as they wobble high into the sky or carving with her Daddy.

“I think my mom would say my gift is I don’t have a bad attitude,” she says purposefully finding the right words.  “When I do something wrong or when I mess up I take responsibility for it, and I don’t give up.  I’ll try until I get it right.”

And that’s why Papi is our Littlest ʻĀina Warrior of the Week.  Persistent.  Deeply connected.  Intentional.  Thoughtful thinker.  Respectful.  Wise beyond her years.