Ēwe is a deeply personal journey into my own identity as a Kānaka ʻŌiwi, inspired by my family’s tradition of planting our ‘iēwe, our placenta, in the earth as a symbol of being rooted in our heritage. Through stories of my own life, my family, and the community that raised me on the quiet and verdant northeast side of Oʻahu, I reflect on what it means to reclaim ancestry and the power of belonging.

I wrote this book to honor the resilience of my people, whose language and culture were nearly erased after the overthrow of our nation in 1893, but who found new strength during the Hawaiian Renaissance and the ongoing movement to restore what was lost. My experiences in Hawaiian language immersion schools, and the influence of elders and community leaders, have shaped my understanding of identity and responsibility.
This project began as my senior capstone for photography class at ‘Iolani School in Honolulu. Through my own photographs and stories, I aim to show how language, land, and tradition are at the heart of who we are. My hope is that this book serves both as a tribute and a call to action, reminding us of the importance of preserving Hawai‘i’s soul for future generations