While Ellen Kaho'ohiwaokalani Wright Pendergast was sitting in her father's garden at his Kapalama home, several friends called on her. Two were members of the Royal Hawaiian Band who were on strike due to the U.S. belligerent occupation. "We will not follow this new government", they all stated. "we will be loyal to Lili'u". We will not sign the haole's papers, but will be satisfied with all that is left to us, the stones, the mystical food of our native land."
They urged her to compose this song of rebellion, echoing the people's sentiments found in this fourth verse written in 1893:
"'Aole makou a'e minamina.... (We do not value...)
I ka pu'u kala a ke Aupuni. (the government's sum of money.)
Ua lawa makou i ka pohaku, (We are satisfied with the stones,)
I ka 'ai kamaha'o o ka 'aina." (the astonishing food of the land.)
When I was 18 years old, the legal drinking age at that time,back in the early 1960s, I would go night-clubbing and was called up to sing. This was my signature song I always sang when often called on to perrform. One night at Duke Kanahamoku's I was singing the song and Sammy Amalu came on stage and did a Kaua'i kane-style hula (like my tutuman used to do) to this song. It brought the house down with cheers and loud ovations.
In 1895, F. J Testa (Hoke) published a .25 cent book with the compilation of compositions created by many Hawaiians, one of which was this composition by Ellen K. Pendergast. The book was titled, "BUKE MELE LAHUI. It was a collection from the newspapers, particularly from Nupepa "Ka Makaainana".
This reflected the general opinion of the subjects of the Hawaiian Kingdom who never lost hope; the same as reflected by the Ku'e Petitions of 1897. Their feelings never abated and always sought justice for the return of their Hawaiian Kingdom, the Queen and her government.
Ua mau ke ea o ka 'aina i ka pono... Perpetual sovereignty of the land is righteous.
Thus the Hawaiian subjects took the U.S. American curse and threw it back in their faces.
Today, in support and remembrance, we Hawai'i nationals wear our "AI POHAKU" with pride and in solemn protest. This is a symbol of unity, loyalty, and recognition of our sovereign territory and nation, KO HAWAI'I KA PAE 'AINA.
Create one for yourself and show it off proudly and often. Some of us already do. I have made a collection and do sell them on occasion as a donation for my work. Nonetheless, if you can find a special pebble or stone, create a pendant to show off to everyone so they know and remember our struggle for freedom and independence from a racist oppressor.
The U.S. Americans cursed us to eat stones and we told them what we did with them. Any questions?
Tane
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Replies
Thank you for the relief.
I am reading "On Being Hawaiian" by John Dominis Holt" and "On Being Hawaiian Enough: Contesting American Racialization with Native Hybridity" Brandon C. Ledward http://www.kesbe.ed 37 pages. long reading.
No doubt, I live in a written contract agreement with DHHL., and we do continue the original covenant of 1923. However, I am really concern with the present covenant and the military (US war) and the Akaka Bill. Sometimes, it has it's retro and the center reverts back when the earth was the center of the universe.
Moving forward.
Wear you 'Ai Pohaku now! Make sure it's not radioactive! LOL.....
Those that remain in the U.S. racist box will in the end have to make their decision of remaining a Hawaiian subject of the Hawaiian Kingdom or expatriate to the U.S. If they deny their Hawaii national citizenship than they are the losers. They have a choice. It's a fraudulent mess created by the U.S.A. They can become U.S. citizen-Indians or remain Hawaii Kingdom citizens.
We Hawaiian nationals are in unity and the numbers are growing and that's all that matters. After being educated, the Hawaiian-Americans can make up their choice; either with us or against us. As U.S. Americans, they will have no say in our Hawaiian nation, governance or kuleana.
Tane
How do you expect our people to be in "unity" when the "Blood Quantum" is supported by many native Hawaiians? When those same native Hawaiians throw stones at United States, its military and those of us who are not of the Blood Quantum. Who continue to support the Racist Blood Quantum Mind Set of Hitler.
Long Live The Hawaiian Kingdom, o Pomaikaiokalani, Hawaiian Kingdom National Royalist 1993