Hale Ho 'omaluhia

The Peace Center Building

Hale Ho`omaluhia (House that brings about Peace) is a small conference and education center located at Hoa `Aina O Makaha. It provides a space for conferences, meetings and workshops for the people of the Wai`anae Coast and the rest of Hawai`i. The center was also designed as an agricultural and aqua-cultural training center for community workers from the Pacific basin and volunteers planning to work there. Also welcomed are groups and people wanting to deepen their understanding of the socioeconomic realities of Hawai`i through sharing work and experiences with the Wai`anae community. Developed through the work of local volunteers and with the support of friends in Japan, Italy, England, the United States, the Philippines, and Hawai`i, Hale Ho`omaluhia offers simple accomodations with its own cooking and bathroom facilities. It can accommodate groups of up to 15 people.

Each year tourism brings over six million people to Hawai`i. While tourists come here to experience the vibrant cultures and pristine environment of the islands, the development associated with the tourism industry (Hawai`i's largest industry) has taken a massive toll on the both the people and land of Hawai`i. The development of golf courses, self-contained resorts, and tourist ghettos (such as Waikiki and Ko`olina) has irreparably damaged Hawai`i's fragile environment and forced an increasing number of her people to leave in search of an affordable home and a living wage.

In order to promote true inter-cultural communication and to educate people about the issues that affect the common people of Hawai`i, Hale Ho`omaluhia hosts periodic People-to-People study-tours. Working with partner organizations and communities in Japan and Europe, Hoa `Aina offers visitors an opportunity to see the real Hawai`i. Participants learn about the history, culture and current conditions on the Wai`anae Coast, and in Hawai`i in general. In addition, participants are encouraged to share their own lives, skills and cultures with the people of Wai`anae.