Before Us

Kenji Cataldo
  • 5.0 (3)
  • History
  • Weekly Series

An audio documentary project about US empire and grassroots movements for peace and liberation. Season 1, "Mākua: Piko of Peace," shares voices from the movement for the return and restoration of Mākua Valley from U.S. Army occupation, produced in collaboration with Mālama Mākua.

  1. Episode 1

    Episode 1: Eviction

    In episode one, Mālama Mākua board members Uncle Sparky Rodrigues and Uncle Vince Dodge share the backstory of how Mālama Mākua formed out of the convergence of two streams of activism: the anti-eviction struggle at Mākua Beach and the peace activists organizing against the environmental impacts of military activity in Mākua Valley. To learn more about Mālama Mākua, visit www.malamamakua.org.

  2. Episode 2

    Hiʻiaka at Mākua, Part 1: Kā Hiʻiaka hoʻōla hou ʻana i ke kaikamahine Mākua

    An excerpt from He Moolelo Kaao o Hiiakaikapoliopele from the Hawaiian-language newspaper Ka Hoku o Hawaii, published on November 23, 1926. Read by Kenji Cataldo. In this excerpt from the epic tale of Hiʻiakaikapoliopele, Hiʻiaka arrives at Mākua by sea and witnesses a girl die after striking an unfamiliar rock at the community’s usual cliff jumping spot. Hiʻiaka recovers her body, pulls her to shore, and revives her. For an English translation of the story of Hiʻiaka at Mākua by Kepā Maly, visit www.malamamakua.org/hiiaka.

  3. Episode 3

    Episode 2: Access

    In episode two, we enter Mākua Valley with Mālama Mākua and hear the story of how Mālama Mākua fought to protect the valley, reconnected with the ʻāina through cultural access, and brought about an unlikely end to live-fire training. To learn more about Mālama Mākua, visit www.malamamakua.org.

  4. Episode 4

    Hiʻiaka at Mākua, Part 2: Kā Hiʻiaka wehewehe ʻana e pili ana i ke kupua ʻo Pōhakuloa

    An excerpt from He Moolelo Kaao o Hiiakaikapoliopele from the Hawaiian-language newspaper Ka Hoku o Hawaii, published on November 23, 1926. Read by Kenji Cataldo. In this excerpt from the epic tale of Hiʻiakaikapoliopele, Hiʻiaka shares that it was a kupua, or shapeshifter, named Pōhakuloa who was responsible for the Mākua girl’s death and explains to disbelieving locals that she will expel the kupua to prevent further harm. For an English translation of the story of Hiʻiaka at Mākua by Kepā Maly, visit www.malamamakua.org/hiiaka.

  5. Episode 5

    Episode 3: The Ranch and the Railroad

    In episode 3, we hear the last living memory of the pre-WWII Mākua community before the eviction. Born in Mākua in 1925, Ford Ushijima shares stories of his childhood in the Valley, fishing, farming, and learning steel guitar in a multi-ethnic ranching community.

  6. Episode 6

    Hiʻiaka at Mākua, Part 3: Ko Hiʻiaka paio me ke kupua ʻo Pōhakuloa

    An excerpt from He Moolelo Kaao o Hiiakaikapoliopele from the Hawaiian-language newspaper Ka Hoku o Hawaii, published on November 30, 1926. Read by ʻEleu Robins. In this excerpt from the epic tale of Hiʻiakaikapoliopele, Hiʻiaka battles and defeats the kupua Pōhakuloa in exactly the way she described to the people of Mākua, who are amazed to see the action unfold. For an English translation of the story of Hiʻiaka at Mākua by Kepā Maly, visit www.malamamakua.org/hiiaka.

  7. Episode 7

    Episode 4: The Lease

    In episode four, scholar and Mālama Mākua board member Kyle Kajihiro shares the story of the Army's 65-year lease in Mākua Valley, which expires in 2029, and of community efforts to protect and reclaim lands taken by the military. To learn more about Mālama Mākua, visit www.malamamakua.org.

  8. Episode 8

    Hiʻiaka at Mākua, Part 4: "He aina wai no keia"

    An excerpt from He Moolelo Kaao o Hiiakaikapoliopele from the Hawaiian-language newspaper Ka Hoku o Hawaii, published on November 30, 1926. Read by ʻEleu Robins. In this excerpt from the epic tale of Hiʻiakaikapoliopele, Hiʻiaka instructs the community on how to continue caring for the injured girl. The Mākua community members bemoan their lack of water, and Hiʻiaka reveals an underground source of freshwater to them. For an English translation of the story of Hiʻiaka at Mākua by Kepā Maly, visit www.malamamakua.org/hiiaka.

  9. Episode 9

    Episode 5: Piko of Peace and Hoʻihoʻi Ea

    In episode 5, Mālama Mākua board members Aunty Lynette Cruz and Uncle Sparky Rodrigues discuss the evolution of Mālama Mākua's mission, and we hear significant recent developments in the movement for the return and restoration of Mākua Valley. To learn more about Mālama Mākua, visit www.malamamakua.org.

  10. Season 1 Trailer

    Coming soon - "Mākua: Piko of Peace"

    Season 1 of Before Us, "Mākua: Piko of Peace," weaves together voices from the movement for the return and restoration of Mākua Valley from decades of U.S. Army use and occupation. Produced in collaboration with Mālama Mākua.

  11. Bonus

    About the Producer

    In this extra episode, producer Kenji Cataldo shares about their relationship with Mālama Mākua, speaks to their positionality as an Asian settler, and acknowledges the many people who made this podcast possible.

See All Season 1 (11)

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

An audio documentary project about US empire and grassroots movements for peace and liberation. Season 1, "Mākua: Piko of Peace," shares voices from the movement for the return and restoration of Mākua Valley from U.S. Army occupation, produced in collaboration with Mālama Mākua.

Information

  • Creator
    Kenji Cataldo
  • Episodes
    11
  • Seasons
    1
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Kenji Cataldo 2025
  • Show Website
    Before Us