Aside from paddling, giving back to the land and working in the loʻi kalo (taro patch) is also deeply rooted practice that connects Hawaiians to their ancestors, culture, and ʻāina. It is an act of reciprocity, where caring for the land sustains not only physical nourishment but also spiritual and cultural identity. By cultivating kalo, a sacred plant tied to genealogy and life itself, Hawaiians honor their kuleana (responsibility) to mālama ʻāina and ensure the traditions of their kūpuna continue to thrive for future generations.

Working in the loʻi kalo teaches values like mālama, kuleana, and laulima—caring, responsibility, and cooperation. Every stage of tending the loʻi, from preparing the ʻauwai (irrigation ditch) to harvesting kalo, requires intention and respect for the natural cycles of life. The labor is often shared among ʻohana and kaiāulu, reinforcing the importance of collective effort and unity. As hands touch the mud and water flows through the loʻi, practitioners reconnect with ancestral knowledge and the spirit of Hāloa, the first kalo and elder sibling of the Hawaiian people. This relationship reminds us that the land is not separate from us—we are part of it, and through hana i ka loʻi (working in the taro patch), we nourish both body and spirit.