"You know how they always talk about the 'alamihi crab?" asked Annie AuHoon, president of the Kewalo Hawaiian Homestead Association, her eyes afire with passion.

I imagined a five-gallon pail with scavenger mud crabs scuttling over one another on the floor of the bucket. As one attempted an escape up the side of the slippery plastic, his nemeses would yank him down.

"I like to show people a rusty bucket that's empty," AuHoon said. "We (Hawaiians) have no barriers. Our communities support one another."

The Hawaiian homestead associations of Papakolea, Kewalo and Kalawahine displayed their unity last weekend in the July 2 Hawaiian Homestead Softball Tournament. Leaders from each community decided that it was time to bring everyone together in a friendly, 'ohana-style competition.

"It's clean fun and gets our keiki off the streets," said Denise Ka'a'a, president of Kalawahine Streamside Association.

The three Hawaiian homestead lands near the Puowaina, or Punchbowl, area are rich with history. In 1890, the first Papakolea settlers moved to the area. The 'aina was fertile with freshwater shrimp that could be collected from Pauoa stream. The land was excellent for cultivating dry-land kalo and 'uala (sweet potatoes).

And so this simple way of life attracted other Hawaiian families to the vicinity.

Over the years, the residents' lifestyle was threatened on several occasions. A group of influential Hawaiian leaders intervened, and in 1934, pressured Congress to lawfully include the lands of Papakolea, Kewalo and Kalawahine under the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act.

Although the community has faced adverse conditions, their aloha and compassion for 'ohana prevails.

On July 2, at least 200 homesteaders converged on the newly landscaped softball field at Lincoln Elementary School. Newborns to kupuna attended the event. Makeshift tents and canvas chairs lined the softball field. A shave-ice machine whirred in the distance.

Billows of smoke escaped into the air as hotdogs were scorched on the grill.

Annie Ka'a'a, a spry 93-year-old and the eldest resident in Kalawahine, teased event organizer Butch Ayau as he made the introductions:

"You know, he keeps telling everyone that I'm older than what I really am. Next week he'll say I'm 100!"

Kupuna have always been the pou (pillars of the community), helping guide the leaders. Kewalo kupuna Gilbert Shea, fondly known as Uncle Tongi, was one of several people who were instrumental in bringing the three communities together — although he won't admit it.

As a former baseball player, coach and referee, Uncle Tongi believed hosting a softball tournament would unite everyone.

"It's so good to see all of us (Hawaiians) together," he said.

The future is bright for the homestead communities. Plans already have been made to include other associations in the tournament. Homesteaders from Waimanalo and Wai'anae already have expressed interest in participating.

Leadership is key to a successful community.

"It's all about serving our people," AuHoon said. "Someday, I would love to pass on that rusty, empty bucket."

Reach Ka'ohua Lucas at Family Matters, 'Ohana section, The Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802; fax 525-8055; or at ohana@honoluluadvertiser.com.