Muscle in Progress

E ō mai e nā liko lehua o Puna a me nā ‘āhinahina kūpa‘a o Haleakalā, e nā pua kukui o Hālawa a me ke kauna’oa kolo ana i ke one o Lāna‘ihale.  ‘Auhea ‘oukou e ka maile ko‘iahi o Ka‘ala a me ka lauli‘i o Alaka‘i, pa‘apū me nā pūpū ‘o‘ole‘a o Pani‘au.  Welina mai e nā moku pāpapa o Papahānaumoku a me nā ‘opihi pilipa‘a o Hakioawa.  Aloha mai kākou!

He wā lō‘ihi loa ko kākou kama‘ilio ‘ana, ‘eā?  E kala mai ho‘i ia‘u no ka pa‘ē ‘ole ‘ana o kēia leo ‘ōiwi.  Nui ka hana ma ka hale i kēia mau lā.  Akā na‘e, he nūhou hau‘oli ka‘u iā ‘oukou.   E ho‘omaka ‘ia ana ke kūkala ‘ana ma ia wahi nā lā ho‘oheno i ko kākou lāhui.

‘O kēia ka lā hānau o ko kākou mō‘ī wahine hanohano, ‘o ia ho’i ‘o Lili‘uokalani.  Ua hānau ‘ia ‘o ia ma Honolulu nei i ka makahiki ‘umikūmāwalu kanakolukūmāwalu.  Ua a‘o ‘o ia ma ke kula ali‘i me nā keiki ali‘i ‘ē a‘e a lilo ia i mea kākau, haku mele, a kākā‘ōlelo lua‘ole.  Nāna i haku i nā mele nani he nui ‘ino e la‘a me “Ku‘u Pua i Paoakalani”, “Sanoe”, “Ho‘ōla Lāhui Hawai‘i”, “Ke Aloha o Ka Haku”, a pēlā wale aku nō.  Kaulana nō kāna mele ‘o “Aloha ‘Oe.”

Ma hope pono o ka hala ‘ana o kona kaikunāne ‘o Kalākaua i Kapalakiko, ua lilo ‘o Lili‘uokalani i mō‘ī wahine no ka pae ‘āina.  Me ka ho‘ohanohano ‘ana i kona mau kūpuna ali‘i, ua ka‘apuni ua ali‘i nei i nā mokupuni a pau i ‘ike ia i ka makemake o kona po‘e aloha.  Me ke kāko‘o palena‘ole o kona lāhui Hawai‘i, ua ho’ā‘o ‘o Lili‘u e kau i kahi kumukānāwai hou e hā‘awi ana i ka pono kīwila i nā ‘ōiwi o ka ‘āina.

Ma laila nō i loa‘a ai iā ia ka pōpilikia nui i ka po‘e haole malihini.  ‘A‘ole lākou i makemake e hā‘awi i nā pono kīwila i nā Hawai‘i.  Ua ‘imi koke lākou i ke kōkua o ke kuhina ‘Amelika, ‘o ia ho‘i ‘o John L Stevens i ho‘okahuli ‘ia ke aupuni.  Ma o kahi kū ‘ole i ke kānāwai, ua ho‘opae ‘ia nā koa ‘Amelika a ho‘okāhuli ‘ia ke aupuni ma ka lā ‘umikūmāhiku o Ianuali i ka makahiki ‘umikūmāwalu kanaiwakūmākolu.

I mea e ho‘opākele ai i kona po‘e lāhui, ua ha‘alele noho ali‘i ‘o Lili‘uokalani i ka mana o ‘Amelika a ‘ike lākou i ko lākou hewa a kau hou ‘ia ke kalaunu iā ia.  Ma muli ho‘i o ka pī o kānaka ‘aha ‘ōlelo lāhui ‘Amelika, ‘a’ole i ho‘opololei ‘ia.

No laila e nā hoa o nā aupuni like ‘ole, ke ho‘ohanohano nei ka lāhui Hawai‘i i ko kākou kuini aloha no kona kū mehameha ‘ana i ka loloku ka‘alina i maluhia mākou.

Kūpa‘a mākou ma hope ou e Lili‘u o Lolokulani i ke kapu…

Image provided by: http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/dailypix/2006/Jul/02/sesq1liliuokalani_b.jpg

Greetings, everyone!  Wow it has been a long time since we have talked, huh?  I do apologize for the absence of my presence on this blog in such a long time, my friends.  Life has been so busy here at home that I’ve hardly had the time to even think about what to present to you next.  However, having said that, I do have a new idea to present to you.  I would like to commemorate and honor special dates in Hawaiian history.  It was brought to my attention today by a good friend of mine that today is one such special day to the Hawaiian people.

Today is the 171^st birthday of our beloved queen, Lili‘uokalani.  She was born here in Honolulu in 1838.  The young princess was schooled at the Royal School along with all the other royal children who were eligible to rule at the time.  Through her natural talent and schooling, Lili‘u Walania Loloku Kamaka‘eha became an accomplished author, composer, and orator, among other things.  She penned hundreds of beautiful songs, such as: “Ku‘u Pua i Paoakalani”, “He Mele Lāhui Hawai‘i”, and “Ke Aloha o Ka Haku” just to name a few.  One of her famous compositions, “Aloha ‘Oe,” has gained international notoriety.

Soon after the passing of her brother King David Kalākaua, while he was on a trip to San Francisco in 1891, Lili‘uokalani was crowned Queen of Hawai‘i.  Following the traditions of her ancient predecessors, the queen took a trip around the islands to meet with the people of the nation in order to hear their concerns and suggestions.  One of the suggestions that was made strongly throughout the islands was the need for a new Constitution that would restore the civil rights of the Native Hawaiian people.  Therefore, upon returning to Honolulu, Her Majesty attempted to promulgate a new constitution.

Therein lay the source of all the Queen’s problems to come.  There existed in Honolulu a group of American and foreign European businessmen who called themselves the “Annexation Club” and the “Committee of Safety” who strongly opposed the idea of giving the average Hawaiian the right to vote.  They immediately sought the aid of the U.S. Foreign Minister John L Stevens in order to overthrow the lawful government and the Queen.  In an illegal act of war, U.S. marines were landed and the government was quietly stated as being “overthrown” on January 17, 1893.  Being that it was a Sunday, most of Honolulu was in church at the time.  No one was at the legislative building to witness this statement of overthrow.

Photo provided by: http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/images/h56000/h56555.jpg

Once word had reached the Queen and her cabinet, in an effort to avoid bloodshed of her subjects and of the foreign invaders, the Queen abdicated her throne under protest to the military power of the U.S. until such time that the U.S. Congress would right the illegal action, thus restoring her to power.  However, because of the greed of those in Congress at the time, that “righting of wrongs” never came to pass.  Hawai‘i remains a lawful country illegally occupied by a foreign power.

Therefore, friends of many nations… we, the Native Hawaiian people, honor our beloved Queen today on her birthday, for her brave and lonely stance during a very dark era in our history so that we may be protected from the storm.

Kūpa‘a mākou ma hope ou e Lili‘u o Lolokulani i ke kapu…

Photo provided by: http://www.kauaihistoricalsociety.org/assets/images/storyPhotos/img12-liliuokalani.jpg

This morning I received a text message from a friend saying that Hawaiians have now reclaimed the palace in Honolulu.  Not sure what she meant, I went to one of our newspaper’s website, and found the answer.  Members of a Native Hawaiian organization calling itself the “Hawaiian Kingdom Government” came into the grounds of ‘Iolani Palace, the only Royal Palace in an occupied area of the U.S., at 5:30 this morning deciding that it was high-time that Hawaiians take back what is rightfully theirs.

Some seventy people chain-locked all of the gates into the grounds, posted signs of “No Trespassing” around the grounds and set up guards at every entrance, granting access to only those of aboriginal blood or the media.

Hmmm….being of aboriginal blood myself, I have some mixed feelings about this one.  While on the one hand, it was probably a foolish attempt for this group to reclaim stolen Hawaiian property, I can’t help but think that maybe a move like this was necessary.  Sure there are many Hawaiians out there who feel that this one group’s action is going to make the rest of us look bad… I have to at least applaud this “Hawaiian Kingdom Government” for making a statement.

One hundred and fifteen years ago, the Hawaiian Kingdom was illegally overthrown by a small group of American and European businessmen with the aide of U.S. Marines on order of the U.S. Foreign Minister to Hawai’i.  No one of the general public or of govermental status was there to witness the quiet overthrow, as it was done on a Sunday morning while everyone in Honolulu was in Church at the time.  Upon hearing about this move of this group, Queen Lili’uokalani decided that, although it was her right to charge these men with treason and have them arrested or even shot down, the Queen knew that any move against these men and the small company of U.S. Marines surrounding them would be seen as an act of war against the United States.  And she knew, that that would be one battle that we would not have survived.

Instead, the Queen abdicated her throne to the power of the U.S. military until such time that the U.S. Congress would see fit to rectify the situation and lawfully return her to the throne.  When President Cleveland heard about what had been done, he dispatched Georgia Senator James Blount to Honolulu to investigate.  After spending many weeks here, he concluded that what had transpired was an illegal move on the part of the U.S. military and that the queen should be restored immediately.

Unfortunately for us, by that time, Cleveland was heading out of office, and the next president coming in was a pro-annexationist, William McKinley.  In a highly illegal maneuver, Hawai’i was annexed to the U.S. in 1898 through a joint-resolution, a document that has no legal power outside of U.S. borders.  It was all done quite underhandedly, and has remained the same ever since.  When Hawai’i became a “State”, it was done as an Act upon this joint resolution and as such, done illegally as well.

So, legally speaking, Hawai’i is STILL a Kingdom, under the “letter” of the law.  Here is where my feelings become mixed.  Personally, I don’t like anyone speaking for me as a Native Hawaiian without my consent, and yes, there will be some out there who will look at this group as being representative of the general native population.  And unfortunately, all the public will really see is a bunch of people getting arrested this evening, if it comes to that.  That’s not an impression I’d like to leave of my people.

However, the sovereignty movement has been pretty stagnant in general over the last few years, and I would venture to say that many have completely forgotten about it, which is probably what the government wants to happen.  In a way, I admire this group, if merely for the fact that they are bringing the sovereignty struggle back into the media and the minds of the general public.  If this group had not attempted this take-over, would the rest of us had even thought to do something about the sovereignty movement beyond  where it is stalled now?

We must never forget who we are, where we came from, and the struggles that our ancestors had to go through for our benefit… lest we disgrace their honor and their memory.  I think if more people were revolutionary and free-thinking, we may be a more educated nation and not so narrow-minded in our thinking?  Just a thought…

‘Ano‘ai me ke aloha iā ‘oukou a pau loa a puni ka honua. Eia iho e ha‘i ‘ia aku ai ka mo’olelo kupaianaha a ka wahine ho’okalakupua ‘o Keaomelemele. I makemake ‘oe e heluhelu aku i nā mahele i hele mua ‘ia, hiki ke nānā aku i ia mau mea ma ke kumu honua ‘o Mo‘olelo Hawai’i. Ua pa’i ‘ia kai hō‘ike ihola ma ka nūpepa ‘o Kū ‘Oko‘a i ka lā 8 o Nowemapa i ka makahiki 1884 e Mosese Manu.

Greetings to you all around the world. Here being told is continuation of the tale of the magical woman known as Keaomelemele. If you desire to catch yourselves up, you can read all of the previous issues under the “Hawaiian history” category of this blog. This issue was originally published in the Hawaiian newspaper, Kū ‘Oko‘a, on November 8, 1884 by Moses Manu.

Mokuna ‘Eiwa

I kēia wā a Kūkuluokahiki me kāna aikāne Waiola e nanea nei i ka la‘i o Hilo Hanakahi me nā kaikuahine o Kauakanilehua, aia ho‘i, ua ku‘i a‘ela ka lohe mai ‘ō a ‘ō o Hilo, a ma ia lohe i hiki mai ai ‘o ‘Ōhele ka mea nona ka nalu ha‘i o Kawili ma Kanukuokamanu, ka mea ho‘i nona nā lālani mele o nā lā i hala aku nei o kona kikina.

‘O ke kawa lele ‘opu,
O Kanukuokamanu,
‘O ka nalu ha‘i nuku,
O Kawili wale lā.”

Iā ‘Ōhele i hiki aku ai ma kahi o ka malihini, e piha pū ana i nā kānaka e haiamū ana me ka ho‘okēkē, a no kona mana‘o nui e ‘ike aku i nā helehelena a pau o ka malihini āna i lohe ai, no laila, ua ho‘oikaika nui ‘o ia i ka ho‘okē ‘ana i waena o nā kānaka a hiki wale i kona ‘ike pono ‘ana i ka u‘i o Waolani, a iā ia i ho‘olei pau aku ai i kona nānaina ma luna o ka malihini, auwē! “I ka lihilihi nō ‘oe lawe ‘o Malio i ka lā.” Ma ia ‘ano, ua ho‘opuni ‘ia kona mau no‘ono‘o maika‘i e nā mana‘o āna i ‘ike ‘ole ai e hālāwai mai ana ‘o ia me ia mau ha‘awina, akā, no ia manawa nō, ua ‘emi hope maila ‘o ia a ho‘i loa akula no kona hale ma kai ‘o Waiākea a ha‘i akula i kona mana‘o i kona kaikunāne pono‘ī, ‘o ia ho‘i ‘o Kanukuokamanu,

A no ka makemake nui o kona kaikunāne e lohe i kona mana‘o, no laila, ua ha‘i akula kona kaikuahine, “E ku‘u kaikunāne, ‘a‘ole a‘u mea ‘ē a‘e e ha‘i aku ai iā ‘oe, eia wale nō, he mea ‘oia‘i‘o ka mea a kākou i lohe iho nei no kēlā kanaka maika‘i, ua hele aku nei au e ‘ike maka i ua kanaka lā, ‘a‘ole ‘i‘o nō o kana mai o ka u‘i a me ka nani, a no laila, ua mana‘o au e pi‘i aku ‘oe i uka ‘o Kaipalaoa a hā‘awi aku i kou aloha no ka malihini, me kou ‘ōlelo aku iā ia i ‘aikāne nāu, ‘a‘ole paha ia e hō‘ole mai ana i kāu noi aku iā ia, no ka mea, he ‘ōlelo ma kona alo, a inā ia e ‘ae mai i kāu noi aku, a laila, e iho pū mai ‘olua i kai nei, a ‘o ia ko‘u mea i ho‘i hou mai nei iā ‘oe, no ko‘u hilahila ho‘i ke ‘ōlelo aku i mua o ka lehulehu, no laila, e pi‘i ‘oe i kēia wā.” A no kēia mea, ‘ōlelo akula kona kaikunāne, “Ua ‘ae au i kou mana‘o e ku‘u kaikuahine e ha‘i mai nei, a i aha lā uane‘i ka‘u makana i ka malihini?” Pane hou akula kona kaikuahine “Inā pēlā, e kama‘ilio aku nō ho‘i ‘oe he makana nui kāu e hā‘awi aku ai iā ia, ‘o ia ho‘i ku‘u kino nei e noho aku lā.” Wahi a kona kaikunāne, “Inā pēlā ‘a‘ohe mea hilahila mai a koe aku ia‘u ke ‘ōlelo aku i mua o ka malihini, akā e ho‘okō nō au i kou makemake, akā na‘e, ia‘u e hele aku ai, a laila e ho‘omākaukau a‘e ‘oe iā hope nei o ka hale a me ‘oe iho.” A pau nā ‘ōlelo āna, ‘o ko Kanukuokamanu pi‘i akula nō ia i ke one ‘o Māuaua a ‘au ana i ka muliwai ‘o Waiolama a kau akula ma kēlā ‘ao‘ao, a hele akula nō kēia a hiki ana i Kaipalaoa kahi e māka‘ika‘i nui ‘ia nei e nā kānaka o Hilo; iā ia i kokoke aku ai e ‘ike i ka malihini, ‘ike akula ‘o ia iā Pi‘ikea a me Mokupane e lawe aku ana he ‘ōwili lei lehua a hā‘awi akula i mua o ka malihini, akā, iā lāua na‘e i hō‘ike aku ai i kēia mau ‘ōwili lei, ua kuhikuhi a‘ela ‘o ia e hā‘awi a‘e no kāna ‘aikāne no Waiola, me ka ‘ōlelo pū mai iā lāua, “‘Auhea ‘olua e nā makamaka o māua, e ‘olu‘olu ‘olua, he lei nō ko‘u i like ‘ole me kona mau lei ke makemake au i lei no‘u no ka manawa, he mea i hana ‘ole ‘ia e ka lima o ke kanaka, a inā makemake ‘olua e ‘ike, a laila e ‘ike nō ‘olua i kēia manawa.” Aia i loko o kēia wā i kāhea a‘e ai ‘o Kūkuluokahiki ma ka inoa o kona kahu hānai Keānuenue; i loa nō a pau kāna mau māpuna leo, he manawa pōkole loa, welo ana ke ānuenue ma luna pono iho o ka mea e hia‘ai nui ‘ia nei e ko Hilo po‘e, me he hae Hawai‘i lā e welo ana i nā welelau makani i loko o ka lewa, aia i loko o kēia wā i kau pono iho ai ke ānuenue ma luna o ke po‘o o ka mea nona ua lei lā, me nā lei ‘āhihi kāmakahala o Waolani, a no kēia mea, ua uwā a‘ela ka pihe a ha‘alele wale a nā kānaka o Hilo.

Aia nō ho‘i i loko o kēia wā i hele aku ai ‘o Kanukuokamanu a hiki i mua o ka malihini me ka hā‘awi aku i kona aloha me ke noi pū aku iā ia i ‘aikāne nāna, a ‘ae mai ka malihini i kona makemake. Ma ia hope iho, ua koi akula ‘o ia e hele pū ma kona hale, a ua ‘ae ‘ia mai kona mana‘o, a hele akula lākou nei a hiki ana i kai ‘o Waiākea; iā lākou nei i hele aku ai a hiki i kona hale, ‘oiai kona kaikuahine e noho mai ana me ka mākaukau no ka ho‘okipa ‘ana aku i ka malihini ma ko lāua hale, ia manawa i hā‘awi ‘ia ai ke aloha ma waena o lākou a pau; ma ka hiki kino ‘ana mai o Kūkuluokahiki ma ka hale o ‘Ōhele, ua mana‘o a‘ela ‘o ia e ho‘okō ‘ia ana kona ‘i‘ini nui nona, akā, ‘a‘ole na‘e pēlā ka mana‘o o ka malihini, ua ho‘ohōkā loa ‘ia kona mau mana‘o ‘ana, a hiki wale i ka hele ‘ana aku ‘o Kūkuluokahiki no Hilo Palikū, a ua pau wale nā mana‘olana ‘ana o nā kaikamāhine o Hilo Bay.

A hala he mau lā o kona noho ‘ana ma Hilo, ua hele akula ‘o ia me kāna mau ‘aikāne ‘elua a hiki ma Honoli‘i, ua ho‘omau akula nō ko lākou hele ‘ana me ka nui o nā ho‘okipa ‘ia mai e nā kama‘āina ma kahi a lākou e hele nei ma ke alanui; a hiki lākou i luna o ka pali ‘o Hakalau, huli akula ‘o Kūkuluokahiki, nānā akula i uka o ke kuahiwi ‘o Maunakea, aia ho‘i, ‘ike akula ‘o ia i nā wāhine noho mauna, e hali‘i mai ana ko lāua mau kapa hau i luna o ka lau lā‘au; aia ma kēia ‘ike ‘ana ona, ua kau maila ke ‘ano hāli‘ali‘a lau makani a‘e o Hāmākua iā Kūkuluokahiki, a iā lākou i moe ai ma laila ia pō a ao a‘e, ua ha‘alele lākou ia wahi, a hiki lākou ma Laupāhoehoe, ua hō‘olu‘olu iki lākou ma laila no ‘elua lā. Iā lākou i ha‘alele iho ai ia wahi, ua hiki akula lākou i ka mokuna ‘o Hilo a me Hāmākua, ‘o ia ho‘i ‘o Ka‘ula.

A iā lākou e noho ana ma laila, ua hiki mua a‘ela ‘o Poli‘ahu ma luna o ka pali kaulana o Hāmākua ma Kohalalele; ‘oiai, ma kona ‘ano mana kupua, ua ‘ike ‘ē mai ‘o ia iā Kūkuluokahiki e hele aku ana, no laila, ua iho mua a‘e ‘o ia e kia‘i ma kai o ke alanui, ‘oiai no ka oioi mua nō ka loa‘a. A iā ia e noho ana me kona kapa hau ma luna o ka pali, ua hō‘ike a‘ela ‘o ia i kona kūlana ‘ōiwi kilakila e hiki ai e kula‘i i ka u‘i o Kuaihelani, a e ho‘okō ‘i‘o ‘ia ana nō paha kona makemake; akā, na ke au paha o ka manawa o kēia mo‘olelo e hō‘ike mai iā ‘oe e ka mea heluhelu. Iā Kūkuluokahiki mā i kokoke aku ai e hiki ma kahi a Poli‘ahu e noho mai nei, ua huli pono akula ka nānaina o ka po‘e malihini i ua wahine noho anu lā. Iā lākou nei i mā‘alo a‘e ai ma mua pono o ua wahine ho‘okalakupua nei, aia ho‘i, ua pa‘ē maila kona leo nahenahe i nā malihini me ke aloha pū mai, no laila, ua huli a‘ela nā malihini a hā‘awi akula ia ha‘awina ho‘okahi, a ma ia manawa nō i ‘ī hou mai ai ‘o Poli‘ahu iā lākou nei e ho‘i ma ka hale, a no ia mea, ua nīnau aku ka malihini, “‘Auhea kou hale?” Kuhikuhi a‘ela nā lima o ua wahine nei i uka, “Aia ko‘u hale i kēlā kuahiwi e kū mai lā.” No kēia ‘ōlelo a Poli‘ahu, huli a‘ela kēia a ‘ōlelo a‘ela i kāna mau aikāne ‘elua e hele pū nei me ia, “Pehea ko ‘olua mana‘o i kēia ‘ōlelo a ke kama‘āina e koi mai nei iā kākou e kipa ma kona hale?” Pane akula kāna mau aikāne, “‘A‘ole a māua ‘ōlelo, aia wale nō ia i ka mea i holo i kou mana‘o, ma kāu mea e ‘ōlelo mai ai iā māua, ma laila wale aku nō māua.” Ma kēia ‘ōlelo maika‘i a kāna mau aikāne, ua ‘ae akula ‘o ia i ke koi mai a Poli‘ahu, no laila, ua huli like akula ko lākou mau alo no ka hale noho mauna o ua ‘eu‘eu lā o Maunakea.

Iā lākou i hiki aku ai ma laila, ua ku‘u pau ‘ia maila nā mea a ko lākou kama‘āina nāna i ho‘okipa aku iā lākou i mua o ko lākou mau alo, a ma ia hope iho, ua ki‘i akula ‘o Poli‘ahu i kona mau kaikaina ‘elua, ‘o ia ho‘i ‘o Lilinoe a me Kalau‘ākōlea, he mau kaikamāhine maika‘i lāua, a pēlā nō ho‘i me Poli‘ahu; ua like wale nō ko lākou nānaina a pau, he kaina like ‘ole ko lākou helehelena. Iā Lilinoe mā i hiki mai ai me ka ‘ike ‘ole o nā malihini iā lāua, no ka mea, ua ‘ōlelo ‘o Poli‘ahu iā lāua e noho a‘e ma kahi ‘ē a‘e, me ka hō‘ike ‘ole aku i mua o nā malihini, ua ‘ae lāua ia mea; a iā Poli‘ahu i ho‘i aku ai a hiki ma kona hale, ua nanea pū ihola me nā malihini a hiki wale i ka manawa i ‘ūpo‘i iho ai nā lihilihi a lilo akula lākou me Niolopua i ka ‘āina ‘uhane, a iā lākou e kō ‘ia ana i ka ‘āina ‘uhane, me ka ‘ike ‘ole a‘e o lākou i nā hana a ke kama‘āina; aia na‘e iā lākou e hiamoe nei, ua hele akula ‘o Poli‘ahu a ‘ōlelo akula iā Lilinoe, “‘O ‘oe auane‘i ‘eā, aia ho‘i aku au a li‘uli‘u, a laila e ho‘omaka a‘e ‘oe e puhi i ka pū a me ka maika‘i loa e kū ai i ka makemake o nā malihini, mali‘a o ala a‘e a nīnau mai ia‘u, a laila, na‘u e ha‘i aku iā ia ia mea; no laila e hao mau a‘e ‘oe i ke puhi ‘ana i ka pu‘a a hiki i ke aumoe, a ma ka pili aku ho‘i o ka wana‘ao ‘eā, a laila iā Kalau’ākōlea aku ia manawa a hiki i ke ao ‘ana.” Ma kēia mau ‘ōlelo a Poli‘ahu, ua ‘ae maila ‘o Lilinoe ia mea; a li‘uli‘u iki ua ho‘i akula ‘o ia ma kona hale; a iā ia i hō‘olu‘olu iho ai no kahi wā, ua ho‘omaka maila ‘o Lilinoe e puhi i kāna mea kani le‘ale‘a, ‘a‘ole nō ho‘i o kana mai, ke hele lā ka leo o ka pu‘a a kani ka ‘ula o ka pepeiao o nā malihini no kēia mea kani; ua puoho like a‘ela nā malihini ma loko a‘e o ko lākou hiamoe ‘ana, a iā lākou e ho‘olohe ana i ka leo hone o kēia mea, ua nui loa ko lākou makemake, a nūnē ihola lākou ia manawa, me he lā e ‘ī mai ana kēia mau lālani mele.

“Ho‘i ke kupukupu ka nēnē i ke kula,

Ho‘i ka Waikōloa nē i ke kēhau.”

Ma kēia hana a Lilinoe, ‘a‘ole na‘e i loa‘a ka mana‘o nīnau a nā malihini i ke kama‘āina, a hiki wale i ka huli ‘ana o kāna wati; ‘a‘ole nō ho‘i he pono iki o ko ke kama‘āina mana‘o nona iho, akā, kali ‘o ia i ko Kalau‘ākōlea manawa.

I ka hiki ‘ana aku i ka pili o ke ao, aia ho‘i, ua pu‘a maila he leo ‘oko‘a loa kēia, ‘a‘ole ho‘i he like me ka leo mua a lākou i lohe ai, he wahi leo honehone kēia, he kū i ka nani a me ka nanahe ke lohe aku, ‘a‘ole he mea e hiki ai i ka mana‘o ke ho‘owahāwahā me ke akaka pono o ke mele; a eia ua mele lā.

“Moe ana ‘oe lā ho‘olono iki mai,
E pi‘i kāua i ka hu‘a lamalama,
I ka lau ‘ākōlea i ke kapa kāhuli,
Kāhuli aku kāhuli mai,
Kāhuli lei ‘ula lei ‘ākōlea,
Kolekōlea kolekōlea,
Pūpū kani ‘oe maiau kēlā,
Pololei leo le‘a kapa hau o uka,
Mehana i ku‘u poli,
Hi‘olani kēlā Kolekolea.”

‘A‘ole i pau.

Chapter 9

While Kūkuluokahiki and his companion Waiola were relaxing in the coolness of Hilo Hanakahi with the sisters of Kauakanilehua, news of it spread from one end to the other of Hilo, thus did ‘Ōhele, whose surf, Kawili, breaks in Kanukuokamanu hear of it as well. Hers was also the verses chanted in days gone by.

The place for diving
Is at Kanukuokamanu,
The waves that crash at its point,
That is Kawili.

When ‘Ōhele arrived at the place where the strangers had rested, it was filled with people crowding around and jostling one another. Because she greatly desired to see the face of the stranger that she had heard of, she pushed her way through the crowd with great strength until she could really see the the handsome one of Waolani. And while she gazed upon him, oh, “Just his eyelashes alone caused the day to be taken by Malio, goddess of delight.” Because of this, her healthy mind became troubled by thoughts she had never known. But, for the time being, she backed away and returned to her home at the seashore of Waiākea to tell her brother, Kanukuokamanu.

Because her brother was eager to hear her opinion, she said, “My dear brother, I have nothing else to tell you but this, what we heard about that handsome man is indeed true. I have gazed upon him with my own eyes, and there is definitely none who can compare to his beauty. So, I thought that you should up to Kaipalaoa and greet the stranger and tell him that you want to make him a companion, perhaps he will not deny you of your request if it is spoken in person. If he does consent to your request, then, the two of you should come down to the shore here. That is why I have returned to you. I would be ashamed to speak in public, so you must go up there right now. And in response, her brother said, “I have agreed to what you are asking of me, but what gift shall I give to the stranger?” His sister replied again, “If need be, tell him that you have a great gift to give, that being the body of the person sitting here.” Her brother replied, “If that is so, there is nothing more shameful that I could say in front of the stranger, but I will do as you say. However, while I am gone, you must prepare the house and yourself.” And when he had finished, Kanukuokamanu went up to the sands of Māuaua, swam across the Waiolama stream to the opposite bank, and continued on by foot to Kaipalaoa, where the people of Hilo were gathered. When he was close enough to gaze upon the stranger, he saw Pi‘ikea and Mokupane bearing bundles of lei lehua to offer to the stranger. However, when they displayed these bundles of lei, the stranger instructed them to give the lei to his companion Waiola, saying, “Hear me, friends of ours, I have a lei that is unlike those leis that I choose to wear for the time being. It is a lei not made of human hands, and if you desire to see this lei, you will see it right now. “ Kūkuluokahiki then called out to his caregiver, Keānuenue. As soon as his voice had uttered the sounds, in almost an instant, a rainbow streamed across the sky right above the one whom the people of Hilo delighted in, like a Hawaiian flag fluttering on the edge of a breeze. At that moment, the rainbow perched itself directly over the head of the one for whom the lei were presented, with lei of ‘āhihi and kāmakahala blossoms of Waolani. And because of this, there rose a great shouting among the people of Hilo who scurried away in fear.

Kanukuokamanu seized that moment to walk up to the stranger greeting him and asking him to be his companion. The stranger agreed to his desire. Afterwards, Kanukuokamanu urged the stranger to return with him to his house, and the stranger agreed. They (Kanukuokamanu, Kūkuluokahiki and Waolani) went together down to the shore of Waiākea. And while they were traveling to his house, and while his sister was sitting at home ready to welcome the stranger into their home, they greeted and shared their love amongst each other. When Kūkuluokahiki arrived at ‘Ōhele’s home, she thought that her desires would be fulfilled, however that was not what the stranger intended at that moment. In fact, she was sorely mistaken when the stranger turned and walked right on to Hilo Palikū. The hopes and dreams of the girls of Hilo Bay had been destroyed.

After staying a few days in Hilo, he (Kūkuluokahiki) went with his companions to Honoli‘i, and yet again, wherever they went, they were welcomed by the natives of that area just as they had been in Hilo. When they reached the cliff of Hakalau, Kūkuluokahiki turned around and gazed up at Maunakea mountain, and there he saw the mountain dwelling women spreading out their mantles of snow over the tree tops. As he saw this, a yearning as gentle as the breeze of Hāmākua came to Kūkuluokahiki, while they rested there that night. The next morning, they packed up and left for Laupāhoehoe where they relaxed and enjoyed themselves for two days. As they left Laupāhoehoe, they came to the boundary between the districts of Hilo and Hāmākua, a placed called Ka‘ula.

And while they were staying there, Poli‘ahu (the snow goddess) ascended to the top of the famous cliff of Hāmākua at Kohalalele. By her great powers of being a goddess, she saw Kūkuluokahiki approaching and so she came to watch for him below the trail. After all, the early bird gets the worm. As she sat with her mantle of snow upon the cliff, she revealed a form so majestic as to attract the handsome one of Kuaihelani. And perhaps her desires for him would be fulfilled. However, we shall see later, o reader. When Kūkuluokahiki and his entourage neared the area where Poli‘ahu was sitting, the strangers turned to gaze at the woman sitting in the cold. As they passed in front of this magical supernatural woman, her sweet-sounding voice echoed out with love at the strangers. Startled, the strangers turned to direction of the voice and Poli‘ahu spoke again, asking them to return with her to her house. The stranger asked, “Where is your house?” The woman pointed upland, “My house is there on that mountain peak there.” Upon hearing this, the stranger turned around and told his companions to go with him, “What do you think? This native is inviting us to visit her at her home.” His companions replied, “We’re not saying anything. It’s completely up to you. Whatever you decide, we‘ll go along with it.” Happy at what his companions had said, he agreed to Poli‘ahu’s invitation. And so, they all turned towards the mountain home of this wondrous woman of Maunakea.

When they arrived there, everything about the woman who entertained them was revealed, and afterwards, Poli‘ahu fetched her two younger sisters, Lilinoe and Kalau‘ākōlea, two girls just as beautiful as Poli‘ahu herself. Their appearances were nearly identical, a beauty never before seen. Lilinoe and her sister arrived without being seen, for Poli‘ahu had told them to stay out of sight. When Poli‘ahu returned to her home, she relaxed and enjoyed herself with her visitors until they grew drowsy and lost themselves to Niolopua in the land of dreams. As they drifted off to sleep, they were unaware of their hostess’ plot. As soon as they were fast asleep, Poli‘ahu went to speak with Lilinoe, “Wait awhile, and then play the whistle as best you can so that it arouses the interest of our guests. Then perhaps they may ask me where the sound is from, and then I shall tell. Therefore, play with as much energy into the night, and when dawn approaches, Kalau‘ākōlea will take over for you until the sun rises.” Upon hearing Poli‘ahu’s request, Lilinoe quickly consented. Shortly thereafter, she returned to her house. As she rested, Lilinoe started to play her instrument. Oh! How soothing and pleasurable was the sound of the whistle to the ears of the guests. They all quickly awoke to the sweet sounds, and were delighted. They wondered in amazement, for the music seemed to say:

“The ferns and the nēnē plants have returned to the plain,
The Waikōloa breeze sighing amid the dew.”

As Lilinoe played, the guests did not think to question the hostess until her time was up. This was not what the hostess had hoped for, but she decided to wait until it was Kalau’ākōlea’s turn.

When dawn approached, a much different voice of music was heard. It was not at all like the music that they first encountered, but it was an extremely beautiful one, one that excelled in beauty and grace when being heard. No one could think of any way to criticize it. The words of the song were clear and distinct, and it said:

“You lie there and listen for awhile,
Let us go to gather lama berries,
To the ‘ākōlea ferns, to the place where land shells gather.
Trilling afar, trilling near by,
Trilling of a red wreath, a lei of ‘ākōlea ferns,
Singing happily, singing joyfully,
The clever little land shell is singing,
A pleasing voice near the snow of the upland,
Warming my heart,
As he lies asleep, that clever little land shell!”

To be continued.

Living in Hawai‘i, hearing about volcanoes is nothing new. We bear witness to one of the most active volcanoes on the planet. The Pu‘u O‘o vent on the eastern side of the Kīlauea caldera has been flowing almost non-stop since 1982 and has made new believers of the spiritual power behind the great volcano.

Hawaiians, and by “Hawaiians” I am referring to those of us whose ancestors have inhabited these islands since the beginning of time, have always believed that the natural world around us is alive and is the embodiment of our ancestors themselves. One of the most revered ancestors is Pelehonuamea, ka wahine ‘ai honua… Pele the creator of land, the earth-eating woman. She resides over the various volcanoes that litter the landscape of our islands.

Scoff if you must, but she has been seen by native and visitor alike in her many lava fountains and flows that have been a part of Hawaiian history for centuries. Over the last 30 years or so, all who have lived here in Hawai‘i have grown accustomed to the news stories of new flows and spectacular displays of creation and destruction that Pele and her family have provided while creating new land for the island of Hawai‘i. So when we here on the island of O‘ahu started to observe the cloudy skies of vog (volcanic fog) and began to feel the warmth of a new spring, we thought nothing of it. However, unbeknownst to me, and probably to many, this was no ordinary occurrence.

Yesterday, the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory situated just outside of the Halema‘uma‘u crater issued this statement:

HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY INFORMATION RELEASE
Wednesday, March 19, 2008 14:28 HST (Thursday, March 20, 2008 00:28 UTC)

KILAUEA VOLCANO (CAVW#1302-01-)
19.43°N 155.29°W, Summit Elevation 4009 ft (1222 m)
Volcano Alert Level: WATCH
Aviation Color Code: ORANGE

Explosive eruption in Halema`uma`u Crater, Kilauea Volcano, is first since 1924

At 2:58 a.m. H.s.t on Wednesday, March 19, 2008, a small explosion occurred at Halema`uma`u Crater at the summit of Kilauea Volcano in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. This event was erroneously reported as an earthquake earlier this morning. The explosion scattered debris over an area of about 75 acres (30 hectares), covering a portion of Crater Rim Drive and damaging the Halema`uma`u overlook. No lava was erupted as part of the explosion, suggesting that the activity was driven by hydrothermal or gas sources.

In addition to damaging the overlook, explosive debris covers the trail to the overlook, the Halema`uma`u parking area, and the portion of Crater Rim Drive adjacent to the parking area. On Crater Rim Drive the debris was up to 2 centimeters in size, with the size and thickness of debris increasing toward the overlook. The largest observed block ejected during the explosion was about 1 cubic meter (35 cubic feet) and must have been propelled from the vent located more than 70 m (230 feet) below the crater rim. Small impact craters from 30 cm (1 foot) blocks are abundant in the Halema`uma`u overlook area. Rock debris also extends halfway across the floor of Halema`uma`u Crater. The debris is composed of rock fragments that were derived from the walls of Halema`uma`u Crater. No fresh lava was observed on the floor of Halema`uma`u or in the ejected debris.

At 2:55 am,, the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory recorded a series of seismic events that may have been shallow, high-frequency earthquakes or minor explosions. The main explosion at 2:58 was associated with long period seismicity. Low frequency sound waves were also detected by the University of Hawai`i infrasound laboratory, operated by Dr. Milton Garces. These signals have persisted through this morning indicating continuing energetic release of gas from the vent in Halema`uma`u Crater.

The explosion produced a small crater along the east wall of Halema`uma`u that is about 20-30 meters (65-100 feet) in diameter. The crater occupies the area in which incandescence had been observed during the previous week. Sulfur dioxide emissions from the new explosion crater are still elevated, and sounds of rock breaking are frequent.

This is the first explosion in Halema`uma`u crater since 1924 and the first eruption of any kind in Kīlauea caldera since September 1982.
Future explosive activity is possible and the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory continues to monitor the activity. Photos, text updates, a new Halema`uma`u crater webcam, and details about the Kilauea 1924 explosive eruption can be found at the HVO website hvo.wr.usgs.gov.

Of course, I had to rush over and see the pictures of the destruction that was caused by this “small” explosion. Keep in mind that in geologic terms, what is “small” is in reality quite large.

For those of you who are curious… the image on the left is a portion of the Chain of Craters Road…or what’s left of it. And the picture on the right shows the size of some of the rocks that were ejected during the explosion. What follows is a picture of the new crater that was created within the Halema‘uma‘u caldera from this explosion that morning.

Now speaking from a geologic standpoint, the Hawaiian Island Chain sits on what’s called a “hot spot,” a stationary area where magma is able to push through the earth’s crust in the middle of a plate to create a shield volcano. Now as the Pacific plate has traveled Northwest over the past few million years, this hotspot has created these many islands that we have today.

Anyway, getting back to the Kīlauea caldera… if you take a look at the image of the caldera below (and special thanks to Volcanovillage.com for providing the image), you will see Halema‘uma‘u crater on the left side of the photo with Kīlauea Iki slightly above it, and Pu‘u O‘o further to the right.

Now, speaking in terms of elevation, Halema‘uma‘u and the Volcano Observatory are situated at the highest points of elevation, and as you move to the right in the image, the elevation decreases until you reach sea level. So as the island continues to move over the hot spot, and the hot spot is moved in an easterly direction, the volcanic activity moves as well. Kīlauea Iki was created from an eruption in 1959 and the last major flow to surface from Halema‘uma‘u occurred in 1974. As I mentioned beforehand, Pu‘u O‘o burst forth in 1982 and has been flowing ever since.

Why have I rambled on about this geologic lesson? Well… the explosion the other day at Halema‘uma‘u signals a reversal in volcanic flow. It takes a lot of volcanic energy and power to create an explosion “up-stream” as some would say. And that could only mean one thing… there is a blockage somewhere in the volcanic system. And I have a feeling that we haven’t seen the last of the activity at Halema‘uma‘u.

For those of you who may be in the Volcano area of the island of Hawai‘i…especially those of you malihini, or visitors, to the area who may be thinking of checking out the action…heed this warning. Do not attempt to go near the caldera at this time. I know how you tourists LOVE to get up-close and personal with the volcano, but please, don’t be stupid.

Although Kīlauea eruptions have been considered to be “gentle” by most geologic standards, this was not always the case. In November of 1790, the high chief of the Ka‘ū district, Keōua Kū‘ahu‘ula, was traveling with his armies after suffering a defeat against Kamehameha and his warriors. Keōua separated his men into three companies, and as they made their way towards Kīlauea, plumes of steam could be seen coming out of the crater. His troops tried to appease Pele by offering prayers and various other gifts at the crater’s rim. However, when the second company stopped to rest near Halema‘uma‘u, they were attacked by one of the most explosive eruptions in recorded memory.

Hawaiian historian Samuel Kamakau writes in 1867:

“Thus was it done. Sand, ashes, and stones grew up from the pit into a very high column of fire, standing straight up. The mountains of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa were below it. The people even from Ka-wai-hae [a seaport on the opposite side of the mountains] saw this wonderful column with fire glowing and blazing to its very top. When this column became great it blew all to pieces into sand and ashes and great stones, which for some days continued to fall around the sides of Kilauea. Men, women, and children were killed. Mona, one of the army, who saw all this but who escaped, said that one of the chiefesses was ill and some hundreds of the army had delayed their journey to guard her and so escaped this death.”

When the rear company reached the area where the central regiment was encamped, they found nothing but corpses strewn all over the ground. Some were laid flat out on the ground, others were crouched over clutching their spouses and children. From a distance, it looked as if these soldiers were merely resting, but upon closer inspection, nothing could be further from the truth. None had survived to tell what exactly had happened that night.

The rear company rushed off to meet up with Keōua Kū‘ahu‘ula and the first company to tell them what had happened. And when they returned to the scene of the explosion, they found their fallen friends exactly as they had left them a few days before…with no marks of decay, in a state of perfect preservation in ash. The chief decided to honor them by letting these brave soldiers be, in their preserved state for many years. All that remains today of this company of men, women, and children, are a few footprints in the dark sand.

Now, who’s to say that what happened over 200 years ago could not happen again? Granted, science is much improved, but sometimes even volcanoes can’t be predicted to the minute. Can we say Mt. St. Helens?

I have a feeling that Pelehonuamea isn’t completely finished with her design of Halema‘uma‘u…

Aloha mai kākou e nā makamaka mai ka hikina a ke kau ‘ana o ka lā. Tonight I was privileged enough to watch a great hula theatre production about one of the greatest Hawaiian chiefs of all time, Kahekilinui‘ahumanu. In ancient Hawai‘i, the Hawaiian island chain was made up of separate kingdoms each ruled over by powerful chiefs and chiefesses. Kahekili ruled the kingdom of Maui, which at the time encompassed the islands of Maui, Moloka‘i, Molokini, Lāna‘i, and O‘ahu.

Born in the mid-1700s, Kahekili was the second-born son of Kekaulikekalaniku‘ihonoikamoku, King of Maui, and his high chiefess, Keku‘iapoiwaakalaninuikauleleaiwi. It was said that the Hawaiian chiefs were descendants of the gods, and Kahekili with his high genealogy was no exception. He grew to be a very impressive young man, said to be of very fine features, almost 7 feet tall and close to 300 pounds of pure muscle and bone. Now, I don’t know about you, but that’s a far cry from the average body these days. Can you imagine seeing someone near 7 feet tall and nearly 300lbs of muscle? Damn!!!

Anyway, it was also said that Kahekili was one of the fiercest warriors of the age, able to defeat hundreds of the most skilled warriors without any hesitation. To further illustrate his devotion to the art of war, Kahekili and his chosen warriors tattooed half of their bodies from head to toe, and trained harder and longer than any other warriors in the islands. In times of peace, Kahekilinui‘ahumanu excelled in sports like boxing, wrestling, spear-throwing and cliff diving. It was said that he would routinely dive off of cliffs over 150 feet high…and would require the same of his warriors.

The great chief lived a long and fulfilling life, never being completely conquered by any other island forces, instead dying of old age. It was said however, that the wars that he did fight in were the bloodiest battles in recorded history. With his Po‘ouahi and Niu‘ula regiments and his elite class of warriors known as the Pahupū, Kahekili’s forces were able to expand his rule from the island of Maui all the way up to Ni‘ihau, a task never before attained and never again equaled.

Unfortunately, in comparison to other great chiefs of his time, not much is known about Kahekili other than the tales of his war efforts. He was a very private man and often kept to himself instead of socializing like the other chiefs. However, it is clear that Kahekili was a man of great integrity and intelligence. In times of peace, he ensured that all of the natural resources of his kingdom were properly managed in order to provide for his people, and to secure the continuity of the natural environment as well. (It’s funny how modern society often does the opposite, huh?)

I am so very happy that three major hālau hula (hula academies) from the island of Maui decided to put this production together. We so often hear tales of the great chiefs of Hawai‘i island but seldom hear of the other the great histories of the other islands. My hat goes off to hula masters Hōkūlani Holt-Padilla, Keali‘i Reichel, and Cliff Pali Ahue for bringing the story of Kahekili to life through the use of traditional Hawaiian chants and dances. Personally, I think that everyone in Hawai‘i should know of the great culture and history of its Native Hawaiian people. We are not just “hula dancers” and people in “grass skirts” like the Hollywood machine of the 20th century penned us to be, but a people of vibrancy and great tradition that spans back to the beginning of time.

Photo Credit: New York Times

There should be many more productions like this available to the public, and I mahalo (thank) the many hālau hula who have brought such stories to the stage over the last 15 years or so (Hālau o Kekuhi, Pā‘ū o Hi‘iaka, Ke‘alaokamaile, Ka Pā Hula Hawai‘i, Nā Maile Kū Honua, and Hālau Nā Pualei o Liko Lehua, just to name a few.).

Eō e Kahekilinui‘ahumanu ke ali‘i nui, a me nā hulu mamo o Hawai‘i nui kulāiwi kau i ka hano…

I’m so sad to hear that the great Hawaiian falsetto singer, Aunty Genoa Keawe, passed away this morning at the age of 92.  Granted, she is probably unknown to the outside world, but she is a true legend in Hawaiian music…one of the most beautiful voices in the Hawaiian world, Aunty Genoa has a career that spans 70+ years in the recording industry.  Her signature breath control is unheard of in any genre of music today.  For those who have never heard of her, check out some of her music on iTunes or Limewire.  I personally recommend the song “Alika”, it is the epitome of her power.

Aloha ‘oe e ku’u kupuna hanohano….

A few days ago, an article was posted to USA Today.com about certain incidents that occurred a few months ago that apparently USA Today felt was note-worthy on a national scale. Last month, a young military couple bumped into a parked car and a fight ensued between both parties in both cars. Ok, so what?? This doesn’t happen in your neck of the woods every once in a great while?

Of course the locals in the parked car had no right to get so irrate that they could attack the other couple, beating them so badly that they both ended up concussions. That, of course, was downright wrong. But for a reputable institution like USA Today to turn this incident into a “Racial Prejudice” issue casting the Native Hawaiian population as the oppressor is completely unprofessional and racist in itself. Yes Mr. Pa’akaula and his son should not have done what they did, and they do deserve some serious jail time, but is this kind of news worthy of national exposure?

If anyone of us had gotten hit while in a parked position, we’d all be very upset. Of course most of us would have the common sense to not let our emotions get a hold of us, but we all know that in every corner of the globe, there are those who let their emotions get the best of them which leads to violence. But of course, USA Today chose to highlight this event, and based on the way it was written, I think that they wanted to emphasize that the young military man had just served 2 tours in Iraq. And my response to that? So what?? I mean, yeah the man did fight for his country, which is admirable. But that doesn’t mean that he should get treated differently than any other person on earth.

The article also makes mention of one of the assailants shouting obscenity along with the term “haole”. Ok, first of all, the term haole is a term that can be found in the Hawaiian dictionary meaning “caucasian.” But of course, because it was accompanied by an obscenity, well then all of a sudden it’s a racial slur right?? Using a standard Hawaiian term that has been used for centuries with no racial slur intended.. all of a sudden has been pinned as a racial slur? Oh my God… get over it people.

The article goes on to mention another incident in January on the island of Hawai’i where a group of campers got into an altercation with some locals and were beaten and told to leave the islands. Uhh…not that I’m condoning anyone getting beaten up, but… that kind of thing happens in every area of every country in the world. We don’t know the specifics of the incident and who was at fault for the incident starting the first place. And of course the article says that the police report stated that assailants were “Pacific Islanders.” Well guess what that really means folks? That means that the assailants could have been Asian, SE Asian, Filipino, Samoan, Tongan, Maori, Micronesian, Hawaiian, or any of the other races in the Pacific area. It doesn’t specifically mean that the assailants were native Hawaiians.

The article also mentions a comment by a young woman in the military who said that they are warned not to go into certain areas of the island because of the fact that they’re in the military. And apparently she doesn’t understand why that is. Well, not that she’ll be reading this blog anytime soon, but in the next couple of days I will write a post about the history of the U.S. Military and Hawai’i which may shed some light on the situation, as well as some light on the anti- White American sentiment that is felt by a lot of people here in Hawai’i.

Hawaiians across the state and the country (including myself) jumped for joy this week when a ruling came down from the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals acknowledging the legality of the admissions policy of the Kamehameha Schools, a private college preparatory school established for Native Hawaiians in 1887.

The 9th Circuit of Appeals in San Francisco upheld the admissions policy of the Kamehameha Schools which gives preference to children of Native Hawaiian ancestry. A few years ago, a “John Doe” who was NOT of Hawaiian ancestry applied for admission to the school and was denied based on his non-Hawaiian status. What followed was a series of court battles between this unidentified plaintiff and the trustees of the school.

Being that I am a graduate and a product of the Schools, I cannot tell you how elated everyone is to hear this ruling. You see, our school was founded in 1887 by the Last Will and Testament of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, the last of the great Kamehameha line. At that time in Hawai’i, Hawaiians were disenfranchised from a quality education, unable to compete with the rest of the world. In addition, the Princess saw her people decline from an estimated population of 1,000,000 in 1778 to a mere 40,000 in 1896, due to the introduction of foreign diseases like syphilus, measles, chicken pox, and tuberculosis… these diseases brought from Western sailing vessels by men who knowingly brought them upon our shores.

Hawaiians were taught to feel inferior to the Western World and were even denied of their own language in 1896 when the new Provisional Government declared that instruction of Hawaiian language was deemed illegal.

By the 1880s, Hawaiians had suffered such degradation and population collapse, that the Princess deemed it necessary to do all that she could to raise the spirits of the Hawaiian people and to give them a chance to survive above the poverty level. Hence the creation of the Kamehameha Schools. At the time, the only other major private institution on the island was the Punahou School which was established by the American missionaries for the education of their children…some say, so that their children wouldn’t have to be schooled with the natives.

The Kamehameha School for Boys, at the time located where the Bishop Museum now stands, graduated its first class of 9 boys in 1891, and in 1894, a school for girls was created. Through the years, there were many changes to the instutition to provide for a rapidly-changing world. In the 1960s the school became integrated, but all the while, the school struggled. For it was in the Will of Princess Pauahi that her lands and the revenues from the lands will remain unchanged except for the maintenance of these schools. Even up into the 1970s, Kamehameha remained one of the poorest schools in the state.

It wasn’t until the State of Hawai’i forced the Schools to sell off some of its land that the School ran into some money and invested it wisely. Today, the Kamehameha Schools is one of the most “well-to-do” institutions in the country. What does this mean? Now everyone wants “in” on it. Thirty years ago, no one would’ve even given it a second thought. But now that the endowment has grown so large, everyone wants a piece of the pie.

I guess what angered us most was that there are so many great private instutitions in which ANYONE can get an equal education to that of Kamehameha. So why choose Kamehameha? Why not Punahou or ‘Iolani or Mid-Pacific? And that is part of the reason why the courts could not agree with “John Doe”. There was no reason why this student could not go to another school and it was clear to the judges that there was an ulterior motive to making such an issue of Kamehameha.

The facts are clear… The Kamehameha Schools are a private institution which receives no Federal funding or assistance, established during the Hawaiian Kingdom era preceeding that of the United States in Hawai’i, coupled with the US’s acknowledgement that its part in the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom was illegal and should be rectified.

Hawaiians today are STILL on the bottom of every statistic list that there is… they have the highest mortality rate, higest rates of disease and poverty, highest percentage of prison population in the State, and score lowest on educational standardized testing. With over 300,000 Hawaiians today and the population growing, the Court agrees with Kamehameha that it is no where NEAR to fixing the problems in which the schools were designed to address, and until such time occurs that these problems are remedied, the Schools’ admissions policy stands as is.

For full details, see the article in the Honolulu Advertiser and the 9th Circuit Court’s full ruling.

I mua Kamehameha!!