My family has been on Maui for 5 generations....I am part brown and part white...my bloodline is partly from the oppressed culture and partly from the oppressors----so what does that make me??I've been on Maui and called it home since I was 5 years old, but I'm not 'born and raised'...so what does that make me?I've spent time with Whites, tourists, and other malihini who seem so oblivious of their host culture--- in ways that make me cringe---don't they realize it's arrogant to be ignorant, so insensitive to the injustice and pain that's all around them? As they are grumbling about "reverse prejudice", do they realize how deep and wide the destruction of Hawaiian culture, pride, and sovereignity truly is?I've spent time with Hawaiians of nearly pure koko, strong in culture, heart and activism, and I have greatly admired their courage and onipa'a in the face of such a monumental task, reclaiming the aina from the US government. Because I loved their son, I was good enough to bring food and gifts and caring, but never really accepted.At family lu'aus I listened and saw fierce passion and determination focused like a spear shot into politics, and into the hearts and minds of the younger generations---inspiring them to get involved--- in everything from Na Koa Warriors to County Council meetings, fighting for the past and for the future.I have learned some, but there is so much more to know, and so much I will never know or understand, because I am not kanaka maoli. My mind sees, my heart hurts---I want to do something, some way, to help. But I have no place, I am not kanaka maoli, so when I try, I am rebuffed. I don't want to be a wannabe---I just want to offer what I can.But when I have done so, respectfully and using the honored language of protocol as best I can, giving money and time and caring and love, the gifts were taken, but I was rebuffed. Maybe I should have tried harder. But I let myself be pushed away, and finally their bitterness became my bitterness too.I know that sometimes, after you've been deeply hurt, the only way to gain strength to stand up again, is to be so angry that the fire of it pushes you into action, and keeps you strong. I also know that the price you pay for livng a life full of bitter anger is a hard price to pay, hard on the body and soul.Is there a way to hate the wrong, hate the injustice, even hate the oppressor---without becoming as racist as the people who hurt you in the first place?I want to say, "Look, if I could go back in time and be on the boat with Captain Cook, I'd shoot his ass right there and stop the problem before it started! If I could take my little upcountry house that I work hard for, and give it back to the Hawaiians and thereby make all the other folks like me do the same--Id do it right now."But it's not that simple. And these proud, betrayed, angry, magnificent Hawaiians who see me and reject me because they assume by looking at me that they know who I am, to them I want to say, "Please don't become the very thing you hate. Just because I'm not one of you, doesn't mean I am one of them. Maybe somewhere betwen the 'us' and 'them', there are people who want to help."So what does that make me?
Thank you for your posts. My brown blood is Hispanic, so I don't claim 2 be any kind of kanaka maoli. What I wrote has been in my heart to say for a long time, and I cried to read your caring words, cause I pretty much expected the opposite.
And I agree with Hwnwahine that the US goverment's trying to say that everyone born here is a Native Hawaiian is crazy. This same argument, that created that lawsuit saying that Kamehmeha schools should allow anyone in, is crazy too. What does Pauahi's wishes in her will have to do with the US government? Nothing.
Yet what you see so clearly, being kanaka maoli, and feel so deeply, deserves to be spread. I believe there are many people as I once was, who are ignorant but kind hearted, that once they understand, will lend their voice to the movement for sovereignty. If you listen to Henry Noa speak about all the native peoples throughout history, who have gotten their land and countries back from their 'colonizers'---like India from the British---then it's easier to see a way that this can truly happen here in Hawaii too.
"So, you are an Aboriginal Hawaiian as documented by our Queen..........you are also a kanaka maoli because our ancestors agreed to the question in the sentence put out by the CENSUS of 1890 and before."
Kate Takahara prof. at UH Manoa also found this to be true. People with African descent also claimed Na Kanaka and lost their identity was her argument. Kaohi
Deep hurts can be healed by deep medicine, all of which is found within each one of us. What is the deep medicine that you will bring forth from these experiences? When the healing balm is applied to our own wound, others feel the resonance and much benefit is shared so thank you sister for working to heal your heart.
ALOHA Kaua, e Michelle, It's more inportant to be Hawaiian In Spirit then in Blood. From Kamehameha I to Queen Liliuoklani, there were all Alii in Spirit not Blood. If Blood were more important then the Spirit of the person, the Alii would not have married outside of their Blood. The future of our Kingdom and our people will be Based Founded on the Spirit of the person. Long Live The Hawaiian Kingdom, o Pomai
It makes you a person. A person that cares and listens. Michelle there is much to do, we need to pot plants and deliver to homeless people. A plant with high vitamin C would help, backyard planting is important. Let me know how it goes. Kaohi
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And I agree with Hwnwahine that the US goverment's trying to say that everyone born here is a Native Hawaiian is crazy. This same argument, that created that lawsuit saying that Kamehmeha schools should allow anyone in, is crazy too. What does Pauahi's wishes in her will have to do with the US government? Nothing.
Yet what you see so clearly, being kanaka maoli, and feel so deeply, deserves to be spread. I believe there are many people as I once was, who are ignorant but kind hearted, that once they understand, will lend their voice to the movement for sovereignty. If you listen to Henry Noa speak about all the native peoples throughout history, who have gotten their land and countries back from their 'colonizers'---like India from the British---then it's easier to see a way that this can truly happen here in Hawaii too.
You are a Aboriginal Hawaiian. That's what you are. Be a proud Aboriginal Hawaiian.
Kaleo
Kate Takahara prof. at UH Manoa also found this to be true. People with African descent also claimed Na Kanaka and lost their identity was her argument. Kaohi
a hui hou, Alohilani
Love,
Eliza :)