Keeper of the Bay: Sharing Aunty Cindi’s Story

“Love your land like you love your sweetheart and it will always take care of you.” said Robert Kaiwa Punihaole Sr., a belief shared by many in the Hawaiian community, that when you care for something, it will care for you. 

Throughout the month of October, Emmy nominated documentary “Keeper of the Bay” was shared with students and community members from across West Hawai‘i. Aunty Cindi Punihaole echoes this belief throughout the film which shares her life’s work of caring for Kahalu‘u Bay. Growing up in Kona, she frequented Kahalu‘u Bay and has seen the many changes the reef has been through. As a child she was taught that the reef was her “icebox”, so if she wanted her icebox to stay full she needed to care for it. 

Her story was shared with Kealakehe and Konaweana High School students, Ke Kula ‘o ‘Ehunuikaimalino Middle and High School students, as well as community members at the Red Carpet film screening at Kona Elks Lodge. The theme of caring for what cares for you was reiterated throughout every screening, because as important as it is to instill this belief in the next generation of reef restorers, we must still remind ourselves as adults to care for the reef which will impact the future generations. “One hundred years from now, we want our children to say, ‘Mahalo, kupuna [thank you, ancestors], whoever you were, for thinking of us,’ because the oceans will still be there providing for them.” says Aunty Cindi. 

‘Āko‘ako‘a director Greg Asner, Aunty Cindi, and film director Ashley LoFaso all agreed that the work they’ve done is all to support and inspire the next generation. “These events reflect a partnership between ‘Āko‘ako‘a and The Kohala Center designed, through Aunty Cindi's story, to inspire keiki to kūpuna to get involved in supporting coral reef care and restoration at Kahalu‘u and along the West Hawai‘i coastline.” says Asner. 

From questions on how they could get involved, to what career paths they should follow to pursue a career in reef restoration, it was clear that these students were truly inspired by her story and their curiosity on how to get more involved had grown. These screening opportunities wouldn’t have been possible without the coordination and efforts of Lina Mochizuki and Alexis Ching of ‘Ewalu Industries. Mahalo to everyone who had a hand in bringing the community together to share Aunty Cindi’s story.