Leningrad Elarionoff and wife Paula gifted our school auction with several beautifully hand-made Jewelry Box (approx. 12"x5"x5").  Each is crafted from native Koa that was harvested about 50 years ago in south Kona.  Each is slightly different in size and shape, and each is a treasure to be enjoyed now and by the next generation!  Each has a sealed finish, brass fixtures and removeable interior tray.  Both the tray and bottom interior are lined with plush royal blue velvet.   

Each bears an engraved inscription: This Koa jewelry box is custom made by L. and P. Kamuela Hawaii from the same Koa trees ancient Hawaiians carved out their sailing canoes.

Leningrad is a man of many interests and skills.  Born and raised in Ka'u and a serious hiker and student of Hawaiian practices and traditions, he was honored as Grand Marshall of the 2019 Waimea Christmas Twilight Parade - then at 81 - because he is recognized as one of Waimea’s most appreciated community volunteers who “lives” the values of “kuleana” year-round.  A 27-year Hawai’i County police officer who rose to the rank of Captain and District Commander for North Kohala before retiring in 1994, Leningrad volunteers extensively in the community with Waimea Nature Park and for the Waimea Trails and Greenways project (his favorite tool is a chain saw used to remove invasive non-natives).  He also has served as a member of the Hawaii Island Burial Council, a cultural advisor to Pohakuloa Training Area, and has served on the Country Water Board and is a member of Kahu Ku Mauna, the cultural advisory group to the University of Hawaii regarding the top of Mauna Kea and the telescopes.

He says: “At the age of 83, I now understand the term Aloha ‘Aina, Love of the Land. If we take care of the land, the land will take care of us. The choice is ours.”