2/02/10
‘Pay attention to the whispers lest ye shall attend to the shouts,’ is a tiny message with a powerful meaning.
How long has Kamakahonu whispered its nature and identity yet humans continue NOT to hear? This is the ‘Eye-of-the-Turtle’, Heart of all Hawaii (a home of God). This hallowed ground was held in sacredness by ancestors of our distant past.
When H.T. Hayashi corporation purchased the tract of land that is the King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel, they inherited a business commitment formed by American Factors with the state to PROTECT the VAST sacred, historic meaning of Kamakahonu.
The PEOPLE never left the commitment of love declared by Ahu’ena’s restorer, and Kahu David Kahelemauna Roy, Jr. More than 500 rallied to pray at the Hoowehewehe vigil for the well-being of Kamakahonu, Hawaii and the world in 2007. The temple was re-dedicated at that time in a manner acceptable to the Ancestors. Kulana Huli Honua faced an unkind eviction from their office in service paving the way for what happened next.
Breaking the spiritual protocol of this temple, agents of Ahu’ena Heiau, Inc. (AHI) began to tread the sacred paehumu – where they do not belong. This area is reserved for the spiritually chosen; the Kahu or those of dedicated service in worship at the Hale O Lono O Kamehameha ‘Akahi. According to the U.S. constitution, separation of church and state is clear – a business cannot be a spiritual practitioner.
In December of 2009, the Hale Mana was disassembled in days with absolutely NO RESPECT – no seeking of counsel of the Kahu, permission from the ‘Aumakua and the gods of Hawaii and NO protection from the landholder or the state. What was torn apart took years of meticulous planning and work followed by hours of devoted preparation by MANY people with spiritual ceremony occurring at each creative level.
Reported to SHPD in 2008, AHI agents began by tampering with the Ki’i of the temple. They broke the Lana Nuu Mamao, (Oracle) then removed two Lele (altars). These actions would have prompted their arrest had this happened at the Sistine Chapel of the Vatican. NO enforcement to protect the national historic landmark. NO arrests here - for the state of Hawaii regards sacred sites as artifacts – not living places of spiritual power that they are.
Ahu’ena Heiau was newly restored in the year 1978 when the Congress of America passed the freedom of religions Act. We see at Kamakahonu that freedom to practice and protect the faith of our motherland is denied to Kanaka Maoli in Hawaii.
Kamakahonu includes the former Thurston Estate (now occupied by Paul Allen) extends throughout the whole pier area, Kailua Bay and Kaiakeakua Beach (now covered by a sea wall). The government covered in cement the heart of Kamakahonu – the pahoehoe islets where images of "turtles" appeared. Teachers of the Kailua School brought students to SEE the turtle stone(s) when the pier yet sat upon stilts. They were sharing the area’s great significance. There are "turtles" in the stones in Ra’iatea and they occur again in Fiji. In building the pier, there was controversy. Ranchers of mauka and other businessmen were for it - Kailua families were NOT. Although the law called for protection, there was NO advocacy for the vestiges of sacred lands and heritage except by the families themselves.
2010 marks the dawn of a new and unprecedented year. It’s the bicentennial of the birth of the Nation of Hawaii formed by Kamehameha the Great. Ahu’ena Heiau was recognized as his State Temple and Kamakahonu, the first capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii. What truth and future faces us here!
There’s no shame in standing battered in significant challenges. Here, Kamehameha dwelled, the leader who championed an ultimate battle – a unified Hawaii, in service to ‘the-supreme-One-without-branches’. Here, we now dwell, kanaka maoli and all the people in obedience and love for our Ancestors and our Highest Authority.
"E ‘oni wale no kuu pono, ‘a’ole e pau" – go on in the righteousness I have followed, it is not finished," Kamehameha’s words are guidance enough for me. I call for a meeting of the human beings representing businesses here, H.T. Hayashi, IWF-KKH, representatives of Paul Allen’s estate, the state and county with all concerned parties to seek PEACE in the SPIRIT of Kamakahonu. Care to assist? Kamakahonu@gmail.com.
The state desires to build a parking facility on the pier. We need new, better plans for this Mecca of incredible importance to Hawaii and the world.
Mikahala Roy
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Mikahala Roy
P O Box 596
Kailua-Kona, HI 96745-0596
(808) 315-8381
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Aloha ia kakou:
I was Asst. Manager and relief F&B Manager, and Entertainer Director, Entertainer at Hotel Kamehameha in 1971; therefore, I personally knew David K. Roy, Jr. He was a wonderful person and much respected. There is much history on the grounds and surrounding area. His daughter, Mikahala, is much like her father and is well-respected also. I support her efforts 100%.
I knew it (the hotel grounds) to be a most historical spot as the first Capitol of the Hawaiian Kingdom; later as I returned to the travel industry as a tour director, I taught the visitors of that fact. There is a large flat stone near the temple where Kamehameha would sit, "hold court", and command his warriors in canoe maneuvers in the bay area. It was an active area for the King where he resided.
In later years, when I revisited the grounds, a new hotel was constructed that altered the layout of the grounds; yet Ahu'ena/ Kamakahonu was preserved thanks to David Roy and his efforts to protect that area. Mikahala inherited that kuleana from her father which isn't an easy task since the expansion of Kailua with its tourist-friendly and small business mecca within this historical shoreline town.
Over the years there have been many changes which provokes my consternation. Despite all the hard work Mikihala has put forth to preserve what her father initiated, the new owners have disregarded this sacred and historical site by putting their commercial luau too close to the area and to make situations worse, they built the stage and dressingrooms ontop of the stone where Kamehameha lived, sat, and conducted affairs of the Hawaiian Kingdom. This sacrilege is not only desecrating an important part of our history, disrespecting the religious aspect of the practionioners, but unconscionably disregarding this shrine by treading it with contempt and indifference.
People should be outraged at what they are doing there and I implore those who find this profanity waged against our freedom, culture, and heritage to actively support the efforts of Mikahala and assist her in any way you are capable of doing. Shame on those that demean our culture and heritage that should be preserved for our children with dignity.
Please do what you can in support of Mikahala's kuleana to preserve one of the most important historical site, the pride of Hawai'i. Please spread this call to rally around Mikahala and this situation with everyone you can, to stop this assault on us. You can contact her through her info listed above; especially those on the Big Island. Tell her Tane asked you to kokua any way you are able; I know she will appreciate whatever you can do; whether writing to the State, making monetary donation to help, or kokua time with her, or whatever. Let her know you support her efforts to preserve and take care of our important Hawaiian sites for us and our children for generations to come. Right now she feels overwhelmed and alone in this assault and the kuleana she carries as she faces the hotel owners and the ineptitude of the State and county who are not protecting our cultural and historical site. Let's stand by her and support her in the inherited kuleana given to her. Mahalo ia kakou in everything you can do to help.
Me ka ha'aha'a,
Tane
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