Kupuna

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Comment by Lillian U. Harwood on August 7, 2008 at 8:12am

Aloha Kakou,

I'm referred to as 'Aunty Lillian', native Hawaiian with kupuna that go to my ancestor for whom I am named, Ululani, high chiefess to Kamehameha I. on my kanaka maoli side and the 4th generation from Malietoa I, last king to British Samoa on my maternal side.

As a child growing in our family home at Puowaina, Makiki now called "Punchbowl", it was forbidden to speak our native language, but sitting at the foot of my kupuna I learned much. On my fathers side were my tutu wahine who were kahuna la'au lapa'au me kahuna kilo kilo, and from them I also learned much.

As time changes all things, and the lies are told so often they fade the truth and eventually become the truth, I have tried to stay true to those teachings of my kupuna. As an adult I married and relocated to the continental US from their my career took me abroad to Europe, but the first thing I have always done when in a new social environment is to educate people on who 'my' people are, and the illegal overthrow of our homeland.

I believe it is our place, responsibility to continue to teach our descendants our heritage. If we don't than surely our place in the sun will be completely overshadowed one day. We are responsible to continue to educate all people that our ancestors taught us to be good stewards of all things, to be pono with God, aina and mankind, and by doing so, reduce the ignorance of prejudice and remove the scars of social segregation.

Mahalo, Aunty Lillian

Comment by ku ching on May 25, 2008 at 12:07pm

Hi,

I'm ku ching (Clarence Ching) - an activist for the environment, Hawaiian culture and the Kingdom. Former OHA trustee, lawyer, scientist, etc.

Live on Hawai'i island and love to travel.

In the last year - I attended an Elders Gathering (of elders from north and south america) at Lake Titicaca, South America, and, with Isaac Harp, "represented" Hawai'i at the PIANGO (Pacific Islands Association of Non Governmental Organizations) Forum in Tonga.

PIANGO - provides a document (like a declaration - I forget the title) to the Pacific Forum - the organization of heads of state of the South Pacific.

I'm also one of the defenders of Mauna Kea (trying to limit the proliferation of additional telescopes) and a cultural practitioner on the mountain.

I also head a hiking group on Hawai'i island (Huaka'i I Na 'Aina Mauna) that does an annual superhike where we try to follow in the footsteps of our ancestors. This year's rendition takes place in June - the last whole week of the month. See my profile page for more info.

Thanks.

ku