Blog

Family (21)

SHAKING IT IN HALEIWA!!!

Posted by Namaka'eha on May 5, 2010 at 12:00pm

Mahalo to Waialua Community Association for allowing AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND HOMELESS ALLIANCE to use their gym for outreach service. AHHA provides service (employment, housing, financial referrals, etc.) to houseless population on the Northshore, Oahu every Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m..

I work with great people who does outreach regardless if rain or shine. Our work never ends, however the smile on their faces keep us in touch with reality because I or you can be one paycheck away from being homeless too!

keapoi namakaeha

Read more…

Hawaiian language articles, English translations

Posted by Charles Ano on September 3, 2009 at 9:00pm
My great grandmother's sister was shot & killed by her 3rd husband on March 4, 1924. These two articles appeared in the Kuokoa Newspaper and were written by my great great grandmother, Emma Fern. After many long years descendants of Lui Hookano (the 3rd husband), had a friend of theirs translate it.Names are bolded when they first appear and places are underlined.Kuokoa Newspaper, HonoluluOctober 9, 1924Mr. Sol Hanohano, a big aloha to you:Please, if there is available space for my dear tearful package of love for my child, then indeed carry the sorrowful freight, and display to the outermost corners of my beloved land, from the rising of the sun in Kamukahi all the way to its setting at Lehua, for the multitude of friends of my beloved child to see.During my return and stay at Ko’olau with my grandchildren for a vacation September 15, 1922, I stayed in Wailau until February 9, 1923, and my daughter Emma L. K. Kawaha stayed with me, her mama.On February 11, Lui Ho’okano came to ask for my daughter as his wife and the suggestion was decided between them and from that time they lived happily together until April 14, 1923, when they married.The family of the man gathered, and likewise me, her mama, her children, her older sister, Perpetua Antonia Kapu’ali’ilani Silva Lachance, her brother Samuel Sapito Antony Silva, and her younger sisters Mary Kekulamanu Silva Sales, Victoria Kahilihiapo Silva Ano, Annie Sarah Kekelaonalani Silva Wood, and Agnes Mamie Kahikulani Silva.Her friends also gathered and prepared the meal, and the preacher, J. K. Paele, married them in the holiness of his profession as priest, with great joy as all the people came.After those days, they returned and lived in Mahuahale, the place Lui Ho’okano lived, not far from where we lived, and their quarreling began.Then I told Lui Ho’okano, if he couldn’t care for my child, then, I said, he could care for the children of my child. The treacherous thing nevertheless inflicted pain to the mind of his wife. If he was angry at his wife on going to a restaurant with her children to eat, there was nothing even my daughter could do. Therefore, my daughter and her children endured hunger. I had many problems meeting my child, and helping her and my many grandchildren.There was much to endure-the evil deeds of her husband and the threats from Lui Ho’okano’s mouth regarding my child, me and my many children. And for those reasons my daughter went right out to meet with the sheriff of Ko’olau, and since he couldn’t correct the issues, she sent all the way to Honolulu to Sherriff Trask, and he ordered the Ko’olau police to bring Lui Ho’okano to meet with him.The sheriff asked Lui Ho’okano to tell him if it was true that he threatened his wife; he admitted his fault, and the police strongly counseled Lui Ho’okano not to do these things to his wife again, not to continue to issue threats, and he agreed to completely stop those things, but didn’t fulfill that agreement.Lui Ho’okano revealed in front of Sheriff Trask, that he had no love for the oldest child of his wife, Antony, because he returned with me to live sometimes, and I sometimes stayed in Ho’olau; indeed, I returned to Honolulu to stay for many days. For these reasons, my child couldn’t be patient, went right to the police with these words, and my daughter was told to return to live with me.She lived with me and her younger sisters until our return to Ko’olau to live at Wailau, with my large household, my children and grandchildren, until on February 3, 1924, Lui again saw his wife, and with our thoughtless agreement, continued to torture my daughter.While Lui came to persuade his wife that they live together again, his wife said, “I agree if you stop your ideas of trouble towards me, but if we return to live together with your same ideas, pretending, because of fear of you and your threatening words, I’ll be lucky to have more months to live. Therefore, perhaps you don’t love me as your wife. Here is the thing, you urge me to return to your home to live, but for my part, I don’t want to, because you know no one else who can wash your clothes, no one who will stay home, therefore it’s not my intention to live in servitude agaiin, because you have said many times to me that I myself will be dead to you. I love my children and my mama, being only one in a multitude of her children, because your thoughts were steadfast to cause my death. For these reasons, I and my children don’t want to live together again in servitude, there is perhaps some time.” Those words my daughter spoke to her husband Lui Ho’okano.Lui said, “I am completely finished with those things that I said to you, it is right for you to agree to return and then I can search for a home for us”, those are Lui’s words heard with goodness.At that time, his wife answered, “If I return as you propose, then it is best for us to live with mama, because that house of mama’s has enought bedrooms, we could have room for us to live”.Lui refused, he didn’t want to live with happiness, “Not with your family, not with my family”, those were the words I heard between the two of them.On February 9, Friday evening, Lui arrived again to my home, with the demand again to his wife, that the two of them should go back together. The wife perhaps didn’t agree, Lui wept, pretending to howl in his loud voice - the loudness of his voice could easily be heard - and Lui continued to roar at the thought his wife perhaps refused again, his actions ignorant, thinking perhaps that therefore she would agree to return with him.Before the fifth of February, her uncle J. K. Paele visited to see the grandchildren and my daughter, in order to appeal to my daughter to end her obstinacy and return with her husband to live. My child refused in front of J. K. Paele, her uncle, “You don’t understand, but for myself, luckily I have obtained more months to live as, Lui told me. If I died what about my children”, was the reply to her uncle’s advice. “He agreed he won’t do evil to you, because the sheriff admonished him forcefully, therefore you must end those thoughts”, were J. K. Paele’s words of conversation. The reply of my child was this: “If I return again with Lui, I am afraid death would be near”.Lui Ho’okano confirmed the truth in his words of conversation to my daughter. On February 11, 1924, Lui Ho’okano fetched my daughter to return and stay in Ka’alaea to live in a rented Japanese room, in his words between the two of them, he didn’t want a lot of children, the deceitful thing - Lui Ho’okano’s child live together with him, and the children of my daughter lived with me.The morning of February 23, 1924, my daughter fetched the children to return with me to live for only one week. Then, I was happy because I kept remembering the children during the nights when I couldn’t sleep for my love, because she was separated from me. Therefore, you agreed for mama to return that evening, Lui agreed for me to return if I wanted, then I fetched the babies, that was a plot that I return from you then, happy about the babies.But the days weren’t long, the days of my child shortened. On Saturday February 23, I went to Honolulu to the doctor for my weakness, and for nine days was away from my daughter and my grandchildren, until I returned on Monday March 3 to Ko’olau with one of my daughters. My daughter was at the store with her uncle J. K. Paele when I returned the rental car. I saw someone familiar, my child, and called “Emma, mama has returned home”, and hearing I returned, she was startled to see her mama and her younger sister.Then the last sight of my daughter, in conversation with her good cousins Mrs. Victoria Kukahilihiapoaliilani Silva Ano, Miss Agnes Mamie Kahikualiilani Silva, and one of her children. Perhaps half an hour was filled with her stay with me and her cousins, until at 3:30 she was ready for her return to the place the two of them were living, and she said to me she would return to wash the babies’ clothes the next day. I agreed without thinking of a problem until early morning. The telephone rang, and my daughter Mamie Answered that call.My daughter Emma Lahelaka’akauali’ilani Silva Ho’okano, asked her cousins “Where is mama?”, her cousin replied, “Right here, I want gossip, you want mama”.I am standing, “This is mama speaking”.“This is Emma speaking, mama, Lui told me I ate with you, mama, I won’t be going to your house mama”.Therefore I asked what was the reason, I don’t understand. I ask my child, “Where is Lui?”.The answer of my child: “Here, he is right here”.My response is, “Tell Lui I want to speak to him.”I heard my child speak to Lui, “Mama wants you.”Lui’s answer was heard responding to his wife “Shut up”, heard the words from Lui’s mouth.My child replied to tell me, her mama, “Lui doesn’t want to talk to you mama” and the conversation was over.Then, after my conversation with my daughter is finished, the voice changed again - in less than ten minutes after our conversation. The telephone rang again for the second time, while I still stood there.Then there was my grandchild: “Grandma, mama is shot with a gun by Lui.”In that moment I was full of love and grief, as I hung up my telephone, called the telephone operator to give me the number to the Kaneohe courthouse. It wasn’t long before I received the answer, Mr. Aiu was the one who answered. I said I was Mrs. Fern, my daughter had died, shot by Lui Hookano. At the end of my conversation with Aiu, I called the operator again to give the number, 48557, and it wasn’t long before I received the reply...the voice of that child of mine, “This is mama, your older sister Emma is dead”. After hanging up, I called again to ask the operator to give me the Honolulu phone. Honolulu accepted, she gave me the number 79586, the operator dialed, I waited a few minutes, and got the order to insert a dime, I put it in, and the local association was there for children’s matters, and also publishing resting news: Emma had died, shot by Lui Ho’okano.After a little while my phone rang, telling me “Lui ran with the gun in his hand” -alas my trouble -”and hasn’t returned for a long time.” We saw a car, my grandchildren with an aunty of theirs came and met me and implored me to flee, not to stay in the house, because Lui had run. We drove in the car until Kaalaea, the place my daughter was shot until cruelly dead after the hatred of the man who didn’t know love for his wife. We saw it full of a crowd and a government man, Kukahilo. I asked for the police. “How can I go to see”, he said that I can go and I climbed up the house above with my daughter Mamie, until we came to the lanai and searched on a side suitable for a room, and my child was lying there. Alas my child, my grief, the love lying without being seen, aloha my child lying in blood, alas an act without love, persuading her to return again to live with him, a torturing thing to the very best, so close to death. While I was crying, Police Chief Robert W. Davis of Koolau entered and heard the call to me, “Mrs. Fern, please return to wait a little until the doctor finishes seeing her.”The doctor saw this sort of act, a torturous shooting, agitating the head of the doctor for these things: shooting without love, and this man without reason for hatred, none at all, a crime done to my daughter, killing by the hand of Lui Ho’okano. Not a siege of sickness until death follows, Lui purging his place, a disaster for the children going to school and Lui’s children, for Lui indeed inflicted continuous pain on the children and my daughter until her marriage was nothing. Therefore he killed my daughter, with her baby in her hands, the seventh of her children. The greatest thing to her were her children, abandoned after crying....For my daughter it’s not possible to come to see me. Amazing it is over. Her uncle J. K. Paele asked to return with her to Waiahole, unhealthy for me, to return with his true parent to Kalihi, to telephone Silva to fetch me and return. The trouble is, the road couldn’t be opened until five o’clock in the evening. Alas, it was from seven o’clock in the morning until five o’clock, until my beloved child, one small portion, was moved from the place the cold body of my child was left, and set upon the car.(Not finished)Kuokoa Newspaper, HonoluluOctober 16, 1924Loving thoughts of her beloved childMrs. Emma Lahelakaakaualiilani Silva Hookano(continued)I, my cousin Mrs. Kukahiko, and the friends in that place left the room of those atrocities. My child and I were in the first car behind her uncle with some of the grandchildren, the children my daughter left behind. We left Ka’alaea and turned towards Honolulu, arrived at Kaneohe, and parked the car to wait to obtain the death certificate from the agent.While I was still parked, the Harata car drove up…one of my children and her husband and children slowed and received a paper for the movement of our car, sadly acknowledging the place my child lay.“Aloha”, her voice called, “mama, Lui said she would not go again to your house, mama, and it’s true. I don’t think that will ever happen again. Aloha to the Po’aihale rain of Kahalu’u, you are sick to see Emma Lahela Kaakaualiilani again, but she has vanished from our sight for all seasons.”We arrived at the tip of Nu’uanu, saw again the Ko’olau, turned towards Honolulu, and arrived – Kahuailanawai was the name of the place, and we parked the car there. We waited half an hour to get the credential from the officer to display while driving and left that place.We arrived at the Silva place at 5:30, very happy to be away from the morgue. I stayed to wait until the Silva children returned, and met them to understand the discharge time. I asked if I could go to see my girl again and they agreed that was a good idea. I saw her with the teachers of my child, my grandchildren and their uncle also, the people accompanying from Ko’olau behind my child’s procession, and not one of the family of the husband came. And like that she was carried to her resting place in Kalihi. Saying goodbye to my child, for me and for the multitude living in Wailau, this is the end of again hearing her voice, the end of ever seeing her return to my home.My daughter was born at Kapaia, Kaua’i December 4, 1895, and died on March 4, 1924, a full thirty years and three months.Oh Kaua’i, you will never again see Emma, never again see her in your surging waves. Alas, my child loved traveling to this place.Oh Maunalua, perhaps you have seen my child Emma, going to the uplands of Kamilokapu, the beloved place my child stayed with my first-born, Mr. G. Kalailohe, who had first come here.Oh esteemed Kawaihoa, you will never again see Emma at the water’s edge of Maunalua, and likewise you Kuli’ou’ou, will never again see her traveling to the water’s edge of my beloved birthplace.Here is her mama crying at the place my child stayed with my older sisters and their husbands, Mr. And Mrs. Makea Paao and Mr. And Mrs. Mahinalau.Wailupe, where she went to search for wisdom, aloha to the place my child lived in Wailau, where we all stayed in the cool swaying of the wind of the Ko’olau. There she grasped the hand of the man, not knowing the one she loved was evil in body and pondering acts that shortened her days of living and breathing. Within her pleasure with no thought of trouble, my little girl grasped the uncompassionate hand of Lui Hookano, who took the life breath of my girl, Emma Lahela Kaakaualiilani Silva Hookano. He abandoned the cold body for me, her mother to gaze upon her, and my children and loving friends to see afterwards. Alas my sorrow!Here was the attack on my child, his wife, his object of torture. If she had heard in advance the plan of Lui, than my child would not be dead. Here she became accustomed to his threatening of her, and cruelty to me.Not one from the family of Lui came to see my daughter in her last hours until she was carried away, and put to rest with her true father, Antony Silva. With my child, my darling.Aloha to the place my child stayed in Hawaii with her husband Mr. Jos Kawaha.Aloha to the Kanilehua rain of Hilo, you will never again see my darling. You will never again soak the beloved cheeks of my child.Aloha to the home of her in-laws at Pahala, Kau, the place my daughter lived with her beloved husband Joseph Kawaha, who has already left this life. Aloha to the place my child lived for a long time with her in-laws Mr. And Mrs. J. L. K. Kawaha, of Kau, Pahala, a home that welcomed tourists arriving there, a comfortable place to stay for parents caring for children.Aloha to the place my child stayed upland of Olaa, with her cousins Mr. and Mrs. C. Warren Apela. And likewise Keaukaha, a place my child stayed with my cousins. It is finished, she has vanished from our eyes, the day had passed not to return, my beloved little child has passed away!Remember those place of the song verse:Hewn down by the sea are the pandanus trees of Puna.They are standing there like men.Like a multitude in the lowlands of Hilo.Step by step the sea rises above the Isle-of-life.So life revives once more within me, for love of you.*Alas, my child!Aloha to the low hanging breadfruit of Kalapana,The cold sun that rises at Kumukahi.The love of my child is indeed above all else.*The one that is most beloved.The lehua blossoms were braided with the maile of Panaewa,Unjustly, the face of the woman has passed on,For our love for one another was all we had.The rain only fell at Leleiwi,As it came creeping over the hala trees at Pahoa.*Alas my child!Aloha to the places my child lived,My child from the leaping cliffs of Piikea,From the waters of Wailuku where the people are carried under,Which we had to go through to get to the many cliffs of Hilo,Those solemn cliffs that are bare of people.*Aloha to the places my child went. Our time to see her again is ended, and likewise Mooeheau park, a place my child stayed to look at the amusements of that place.Alas my grief!Aloha to the sea of Alenoihaha and Pailolo, you will never again drench the body of my child, the last time to see her in your surging billows of beloved Hawaii has passed.Aloha my daughter, never to see her again.Ko’olau is made hot by the storm of love,A native land where she dwells,Partly pecked by the birds,By it’s speechless messenger, the storm,*Alas, my grief is endless.Alas my love, and for her perhaps, the places woven into these song verses:Enjoying the Kaniko’o rain of He’eia,That rain that makes the awa leaves of Moelana glitter,*Fragrant the grasses of AhulimanuBind with finger deft as the Waikaloa wind.Waikaloa, the wind that cools the air of my child,**Aloha to all the places my child has stayed.Likewise you, Kaneohe, famous at the center of Ko’olau, you will never again see my child, alas the pain remembering the things done upon the body of my child.Aloha to the zigzag roads of Nu’uanu, the place my child drove to town, and to Waipuhia and Waipuilani, you will never see her again.Kukalahale rain, you perhaps saw my child Emma as she passed the mountain ridges, Kuahine rain of Manoa, she is gone, vanished.Kewalo, you perhaps saw my child Emma, you were familiar with her, and you Kalia, she has left me to weep my alohas, never to see her again, the beloved places my child stayed with her beloved ones abandoned already, the place she lived first and had four children and one dead leaving three, and lived again with her second husband had three children, and the second husband dead, and then this husband returns one child, the baby, and my child secure into my hands beaten by Lui Ho’okano, the one not known as a loving person.My child has left her friends and children, namely my seven grandchildren, beloved children of my child.Kaimuki, perhaps you are puzzled Emma does not return to see the home of her mama, Mrs. Emma K. Fern, you will never again see your child.Lililehua rain of Palolo, you will never again dampen the cheeks of my beloved one, my daughter Emma Lahela Kaakau, alas my child, you have vanished from my eyes.She has abandoned me, her true parent, and her older sister, her brother, and her younger sisters, her family and friends grieving here, with sorrow for my child gone forever.Above all, we the family give many thanks to all the people who have come together to lament my beloved, and likewise the families and friends giving gifts of beautiful flowers for adornment, and also the friends who sent flowers for my lei, thank you so very much.Our help is from God, and He will give us His blessing and ease the pain of our sorrow and bereavement.From us with sorrow,Mrs. Emma K. FernMrs. P. A. K. S. LaChanceSamuel Sapino SilvaMrs. Mary K. S. SalesMrs. Victoria K. S. AnoMrs. Sarah A. K. S. WoodMiss Agnes M. K. SilvaNotes from the translator, not from original articles:MRS. EMMA L. K. HOOKANO - Services for Mrs. Emma Lahela Kaakau Hookano, who was shot and killed, the police allege, at her home in Kahaluu, this island, Tuesday by her husband, will be held at 4 o’clock this afternoon at the Kalihi-waena Catholic church, Kamehameha IV road. Burial will be in the cemetery of this church. Mrs. Hookano was born on Kauai and was 30 years and 3 months old.-Honolulu Advertiser, Thursday morning, March 6, 1924, page 5.*See “Legend of Halemano”, Hawaiian Antiquities & Folklore, by Elbert & Fornander**See “Anklet Song”, Unwritten Literature of Hawaii: The sacred songs of the hula by Emerson.
Read more…

Shake, Rattle & Roll Continues with a Healthy Life Choice

Posted by Namaka'eha on August 31, 2009 at 5:24pm
Be cool and stay in school. Life can be tough and at times we just wanna "squeeze" more life out of something. Kinda of funny, sound familiar, then you and I have something in common. There are many things I would like to do, just don't have enough time in a day.Don't forget to pat yourself on the back, breathe one time and do it again. It is a way for me to relax! The greatest blessing to day is a friend sharing ways to exercise and eat healthy. I was amazed when said to eat more cucumbers, tomatos and avacados! Hmm. Sounds like a healthy dish, got to have da olive oil too just to add a "dash" of flavor.I'm glad I'm around people who care. This is non kanaka, yet 'olu'olu to walaau to. Sounds so healthy, I had a salad for lunch today. Don't forget to take care of yourself and eat healthy. Hmm, in three months, I shoud be _____ lighter!Exercise and eat healthy will lead to a longer life. For our own people, we are at risk. Start today towards a healthier lifestyle. I didn't hesitate, we all need kokua, especially if the food we eat today is making sick. This will help me make better choices when I know what I'm up against - live a longer life!Have a nice day...namaka'eha
Read more…

Making the Trip Meaningful to Ala Moana!

Posted by Namaka'eha on August 20, 2009 at 5:30pm
Its Po'alima tomarrow and time to shake, rattle and roll. Spend the day doing something productive. Take your 'ohana to Ala Moana and have fun. Join the rest of the po'e and walk for unity! Share and educate with others rather than watch kiwi!Its time to get out of you hale and FREE HAWAII from its imperialistic na lima. Celebrate life for a change on August 21, 2009.
Read more…

A Time to Rest and Time to Play!

Posted by Namaka'eha on June 15, 2009 at 9:48pm
I had the opportunity to rest and complete my scholarly research. Wow, what a relief to have some time to myself. In the meantime, I had the opportunity to do genealogy research for another 'ohana. It feels good to be able to help others too. I visited the Archives and the Bureau of Conveyances. It has been some time since I last entered those buildings. Today, I went to the Hawaii State Library and found what I was looking for.When I was searching for the inoa, I found my great great grand parents in the 1890 census in Hamakua. I found more of my 'ohana as I searched for other names. Coincidence? No, it reminds of my kuleana of being the care taker of the 'ohana!I am grateful for all that I have and I that I share. Mahalo to Ke Akua and na kupuna. For they are the inspiration of my life that give forth energy to be used for all great things in life!namaka'ehaP.S. Don't forget to pamper yourself. I relax by doing genealogy.
Read more…

La Ho'i Ho'i Ea at Thomas Square

Posted by Namaka'eha on July 27, 2009 at 1:00pm
I must admit it was a pleasure attending this event. It was about the po'e coming together wearing different hats and colorful clothing. It was the mana'o that was shared by Kaeo and other poe who voiced their mana'o who challenged old ways of thinking and critically analyzing new ones. Skippy gave new meaning to sharing the aloha spirit through his songs, yet it brought back memories about my mother Joyce Kainoa and the PKO. Wow that was memories of the past to cheerish for whom they are the kanaka, our hero's for standing up for political and social injustices toward Kanaka Maoli.It was about Mana and his band who opened the event of musical metaphors that reminded us about our past that Bradah Iz consistently iterated in his songs of ku'e. It was about Bradah Cruz who sang his melodic songs of today and yesterday bringing out truth in untouched territories.It was about Henry Noa standing up for political justice and laying his foundation to encourage the po'e to take back our kingdom. It was about bradah Andre and Hu'i Pu voicing their concerns yet being pa'a about the historical injustices that nearly decimated our culture. It was about Ikaika Hussey and his band that made HULI a sharper vision to penetrate the unknown!It was the Hawaiian Civic who shared their mana'o. It was about cousin Bobby who gave me poi made by the family poi pounder passed from one generation to another (it is very heavy) used by Daniel yesterday and so forth. It was about Manu sharing the blessings of awa root and the the play at night with sista Leinani and the gang! That was awesome hearing and seeing history in the making of how the Ku'e Petition set the footworks for collecting the signatures from our kupuna. It was about how Lynette Cruz and her hoaloha put together part of history that not only inspired but should be shared on all islands!It is about our po'e recognizing all that is HEWA! Mahaol to cousin Kamelamela and her family for inspiring all that the Hawaiian culture represents. To those who donated and contributed and made this event a spectacular event, MAHALO KE AKUA. To all others who sang and shared their mo'olelo for po'e I do not know, mahalo. I leave you wiith this thought of wisdom...Regardless of which tent you were under yesterday, WE ALL CAN AGREE FOR TOTAL INDEPENDENCE!UNITED WE STAND!There are many ways to film this event and stories to share, your maka, the "camera" is where the focus begins as we all expand by understanding our own history as we take the foot steps ahead to for a stronger and brighter future for our kamali'i!It's not about who did it first, it's about being the winner at the end... That is the po'e and the Kingdom of Hawaii.aloha no...namaka'eha
Read more…

KS 86 in Manoa

Posted by Namaka'eha on May 26, 2009 at 6:23am
This past Saturday I spent time with my alumni. It was nice to see new faces and reacquaint with old ones. I had just left the JCC after listening to a panel discussion on Asian Settlers and Colonialism. It was night out to relax and enjoyed myself.Here are some pics....

Read more…

The Greatest Expereinces of My Life: A Vision of Truth

Posted by Namaka'eha on May 6, 2009 at 12:00am
There are many experiences that I can share of my life, yet none can surpass this experience this past Saturday, May 2, 2009 at approximately 8:40 p.m. or so.Before I begin, let me share my mana'o on several things. As a kanaka maoli, I've had the privilege for the past three months of reconnecting to our Hawaiian culture. For many years I've spent in college and so forth, yet never made time to connect spiritually and emotionally with our culture in physical form. I have been there for genealogy, but others were very limited. I've read about 500 journal articles pertaining to my research, spent endless hours at the beach, park, etc just doing my homework while watching and playing with my children in between. I am a "bookworm!"Only recently that I've had the privilege to engage in our Hawaiian culture and proud to say so! Cousin Alexander Luka interview with him has really hit the "core" of being a kanaka maoli. There are no words to describe the HISTORICAL INJUSTICE we feel today and back then. For many years, well practically since high schools days, I've not had many opportunities to celebrate the Hawaiian culture. Perhaps the food mostly likely, even though I don't eat raw food. I may sound "kinda funny," but is just me. I don't take what I can't eat or heaven forbids!It was what he said at the Celebration of the Battle of Nu'uanu! Alexander Luka was honest and shared mana'o that really showed a different side. It hit the core of all substance of what he and many others like myself missed out. Afraid to admit or shame to share in fear of being ridiculed! I felt the same way too! He was genuine and encouraged the po'e to return home!People can be "anal retentive" who stereotypes and criticizes us for having a beautiful culture! Nothing new and I've been there and heard it all!Now........we are in the present state of mind and time which is 2009. I went on a journey that I refused to participate. I gave the hardest time and created footwork to make sure it didn't work! I was adamant to break all rules!In the process of "going into a deep state of mind," crickets can be heard along with passing cars and outdoor noises! As the numbers were counted and other terms were used to comfort the soul and find a place for balance or peaceful, I fought it! I moved my foot and clinched my fist and repeatedly said no!I SLOWLY WENT INTO THAT FRAME OF MIND and I traveled back into time. I was looking for water and someplace more comforting, but unable to find that place! I don't recall how long I was in it, but something happened!Okay I got to breathe.......Tears rolled down from my left eye slowly. I went back into time and present at a burial of great grandfather from Kaua'i...My 'ohana was weeping for him....I saw my kupuna on all four lines. I heard two baby voices. One was oldest sister and my child from the past life........I heard my father speak in "Olelo Hawaii to someone, not sure who he was talking to at Iliiliopae on Molokai. I saw a bright light and heard my aunty Alice tell me to go back, its not mine time, you need to take care of your kuleana. I saw all the men in my life (one was sick)By this time, tears from my right eye was coming down like a waterfall. I was not crying at all (you can tell when you are emotional, the heart beats fast too)!The last person I saw was Queen Liliuokalani in her room in the tower weeping! I reached out to her to comfort her!By the this time, the energy that entered through both feet went up my legs in waves. Yes, it was occurring in wavelike forms and stopped at my knee then to the piko. The mana was in my piko. What an amazing experience because that energy release all negative energy and cleansed my SOUL!I don't know of these things, but it was "Deep!" When I got out of it, I wiped my tears and didn't share. I was one of seven in the group. By the end, I did share my experience with the group. I was "stoked" yet comfortable of sharing my experience of my journey into time!Lesson Learned: I had been very disappointed with the "general world" because they took away our right to be KANAKA MAOLI! I was disappointed at all schools I attended and the negative energy released was lifted off my shoulder. Oh, I did express my mana'o and ripped the apart my high school who never taught us the true history.I'm not ashame to share and express my mana'o aloud.I'm not ashame to celebrate our Hawaiian culture with my children.I leave you this message to self reflect upon..WE ARE NOT PERFECT AND LIFE IS TO SHORT! BE PROUD OF WHO YOU ARE AND PERPETUATE OUR CULTURE WITH YOUR CHILDREN.. THE WORK IS NOT DONE AND MANY MORE TO TAKE CARE OF!My response to Queen Liliuokalani was...the HEWA is close to an end and we will all turn A NEW CHAPTER IN OUR HISTORY...CRY NO MORE FOR THE PO'E WILL RISE AND THE HEAVENS WILL LIGHT UP...Mahalo to the seven who took that journey. We all stopped at different places, however we all share a common goal! NEVER FORGET WHERE YOU COME FORM! Be connected in both heritage and genealogy!Mahalo Ke Akua and na kupuna...A big ALOHA to Alexander Luka for sharing and inspiring me to do so too! I did give him a call last night and shared my mana'o with him!namaka'ehaAloha from my 'ohana...

NA WAHINE O NAMAKA'EHA 'OHANA
Read more…

Nimitz Beach

Posted by Namaka'eha on May 26, 2009 at 6:00am
I must admit, other than working on my dissertation, I took a break with my children and we went to this beach. I thought it was near Honolulu, however to my amazement it was near Kalaeloa. We had a bbq and the children had fun at the beach.Don't forget to pamper yourself, cause we all need a break too. Life can be so hectic and often neglect ourselves. I had spent time with alumni and created memories too! Enjoy yourself!Here are some pics!

and more....

Have a safe week!
Read more…

Place names no longer used.

Posted by Charles Ano on May 21, 2009 at 8:45pm
For almost 10 years, I've been wanting to get an article about my great grandaunt translated and just recently someone did it for us. It's a long article and it's one of two articles, so she only did a translation for the 1st one, which I'm very grateful for. The story is about Emma Lahela Kaakaualiilani Hookano and her husband Lui Hookano who shot and killed her in 1924. The story is told by her mother Emma Fern about the events leading to her death. It takes place in Koolaupoko, but there's some place names I'm unfamilar with like Wailau. I know of Wailau valley on Molokai, but Oahu...never heard of it. There's Kaalaea which is the ahupuaa next to Waiahole, but it's not used today that I've ever heard. She also says "Mahuahale, the place Lui Hookano lived, not far from where we lived", have no clue where that is and it's no where to be had on the internet. I wonder if that's just what Lui called it?Hawaiian language article:http://homepage.mac.com/gencea/Nui/ps01/ps01_448.htm
Read more…

Happy Mothers Day From Me To You

Posted by Namaka'eha on May 8, 2009 at 11:31pm
Sending a ray to sunshine to na wahine who are makuahine! Have a wonderful time to self reflect and creating memories with your 'ohana! The greatest gift to give is the unconditional love to my children!From myself and my 'ohana: HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!My daughters..

NA WAHINE O NAMAKA'EHA 'OHANA

MORE PICS...

Read more…

MAMAZ BOIZ LIVE IN PEARL CITY!!! "ROCK THE HOUSE" 4/29/09

Posted by Namaka'eha on April 30, 2009 at 9:30pm
Music was played by different bands at Pearl City McDonalds. I attended the event and was very pleased with the music by young teens. Mahalo to McDonalds for accommodating all bands!

When I filmed the PSA, they had their instruments. At this event, they had music played and sang their songs! MAMAZ BOIZ "rocked the house!" Rebel Souljahz, William Su'a, older brother of Bayne Su'a sat across as his brother sang!!! (second from left)

Other pics!

THIS BAND HAS DONE NUMEROUS PSA (PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS) encouraging community to recycle and driving safely on the roads to name a few!!!A mixture of local flavors and Polynesian harmonies makes this band a MUST SEE!!!! Many members attribute their musical talents because of being "active in church."
Read more…

Hauoli La Hanau E Kawailani: My Shinning Hoku

Posted by Namaka'eha on May 29, 2009 at 12:30am
On May 28, 2002, Kawailani Maliekini Maiolo Namaka'eha Fifita was born at Kaiser Hospital. Kawailani celebrated her 7th birthday last night! Such a akamai kaikamahine to her siblings! Kawailani had given her "wish list to her god mother" which entails seven items.Of course, I bought her favorite cake - Dobash! That is my favorite too! Hauoli La Hanau to KAWAILANI!Kawailani knows who she is named after and proud to be Kanaka Maoli!

Wishing Hauoli La Hanau to other na keiki too!
Read more…

LAWFUL HAWAIIAN GOVERNMENT

Posted by Namaka'eha on May 18, 2009 at 7:30am
I spent the weekend camping at Sandy Beach with Henry Noa, his 'ohana, Alexander Luca and other members of LHG. As I drove to Sandy's, I saw a sign that says

I was intrigued to learn more about the LAWFUL HAWAIIAN GOVERNMENT. I always saw the signs, but never took the time to inquire about it. Perhaps spend many years hearing about it from different groups. I was very optimistic about any group knowingly that the primary goal is to unite and move forward.I must admit I was amazed. I decided to camp after several request. The LHG had occupied the whole "corner pocket" with their tents. Yes, they had tents with their mo'olelo to educate the po'e. I took many pictures and asked questions. I video taped many people who came. Very interesting people I met and eager to be part of a process already established. Yes, the LHG is established already and currently educating po'e what they are all about.The process took ten years, however the time invested is worthwhile. Why were they successful to reinstate the government is the question I asked?What made this group different as cousin Luca had described in his interview?Come home to the KINGDOM!

I camped for two nights and had a wonderful time. It wasn't about Henry Noa forcing me to choose his entity over others. It was about educating me on their process. There many police officers that past through the night "chasing the young generation out to go home." However, the po'e who was on the side we camped was not bothered by the police. I was amazed because most times they are chasing or harassing Hawaiians for camping at the beach!AT SANDYS! No possible way to camp there and not be bothered by the police! The last time, FIRST NATION rocked the house with their "rasta man music." I could not imagine what it felt like to sit near the beach, enjoy the music of their songs. It has been a long time being able to relax and not worry about life itself! FIRST NATION jammed and played in rhythm as they rapped their music of what happened to our people.Kai, a member of the band pounded the drums and rapped about our own history that brought tears to my eyes. Yes, it is our po'e, the younger generation recognizes that the historical injustice that prevails among our own people!

FIRST NATION (MUSICAL BAND) all songs are originalIn my opinion, it was an educational experience that I enjoyed. Mahalo to cousin Luca and Bobby for sharing, inspiring and inviting everyone! Mahalo to these two men in my life!I leave you with these thoughts.....Don't allow people to tell you how you should feel about your own history. It is your kuleana to educate yourself of your own history. Our people have listened to others and look what happened. Its time to malama and care for our 'ohana!It is time to do something about it and it starts in with YOU! Be akamai and learn about the issues that impact all of us today. I learn something new everyday and share my mana'o of my insight!Sending a ray of sunshine to all kanaka maoli! Have a wonderful day!
Read more…

Keala Kelly of Noho Hewa Tells All

Posted by Namaka'eha on May 8, 2009 at 11:00pm
The Place of Hawaii in American Studies was the so called topic. Hmmm. Keala Kelly had it going on! She knew her stuff!

Very interesting yet can be emotional too!

As I looked onward and listened... I was disappointed when a woman kept on asking about Hawaiians and current issues of status. For myself, it was actually educating someone who didn't understand or only knew little. It was the way she said and insisted that we "kinda like saying we asked for it." What an "anal retentive attitude" she had. I set her straight and any other curious person who was there trying to understand or seek information about Hawaiians.We did not give permission to Westerners to come here and take our 'aina and so forth. In Westerner terms, easy to to relate to: "Involuntary."We need to get this straight...the Fake State is not here for you along with LINDA LINGLE and her bandits or CLAYTON HEE. THEY WILL EXPLOIT YOU AND MAKE MONIES BY TRYING TO SELL SEIZED LANDS!They stole from our Kingdom and robbed us of our self dignity and expect us to keep quiet!!! I don't thinks so! I shared my mana'o and just let them know how we feel about this historical injustice!!!
Read more…

Battle of Nu'uanu Celebration

Posted by Namaka'eha on April 26, 2009 at 7:00pm
This was the first time I attended an event like this! What a beautiful experience taking my two youngest daughters with me. The most funniest thing happened when I got up that morning is that my Keapoi who is named after me woke me up. I auau and prepared for my journey. I was quiet as a mouse and thought Kawailani would be asleep when I was near the door! Well, she was awake and her two eyes peeped up while her nose in the pillow. So cute and funny. "I'm going to the Pali," I stated to her. "Would you like to go, its still dark?" Kawailani leaped off the couch and sprinted to the second floor. She combed her hair and brushed her teeth. As Kawailani was ready to exit the door, I called Livi's name. "Livi its mom, do you want to go?" A smile on her face could be seen and she extended her arms toward me. I picked her up and asked Kawailani to prepare her bag for the journey. We exited as a family and picked up a friend and drove to the Pali.At the Pali, we could hear the voice of a young man sharing his message in 'Olelo Hawaii. It was cold, however the exchanging of words and wisdom comforted my soul as I observed them. By far, it was educational and inspirational.I saw uncle Mel Kalahiki Sr. and his 'ohana. My cousin Bobby and Alexander stood near the tent as we spoke about genealogy. I was blessed with a kahea and so much to say that words can't be expressed. The aloha I feel for those who walk the path of our ancestors yesterday are here TODAY! What was it that brought me here to this event? Perhaps curiosity, yet the yearning to be spiritually and culturally connected to our culture!Overall, it was comfort of 'ohana and making new friends. It was establishing ties with old ones and renewing new goals. It was about sharing our Hawaiian culture with my children. Growing up I observed many Hawaiians distracted from their culture and often wanted to be proud to share it but often ridiculed. I have shed many tears and hold none back. I have walked and made foot prints that day with my daughters in great delight!As I renew old insecurities and establish new meanings, I leave you this thought.....MALAMA YOUR SELF! DON'T ALLOW ANYONE TO DISCOURAGE YOU FROM REACHING YOUR DREAMS! IT WILL TAKE TIME, BUT NEVER GIVE UP...YOU MUST PERSIST IN ALL YOU DO FOR YOUR CHILDREN WILL ALWAYS LOOK TOWARD YOU FOR GUIDANCE.WE MAY NEVER AGREE ON WHAT PATH OUR CHILDREN TAKE, HOWEVER WE DO LOVE AND CHERISH THEM FOR WHO THEY ARE...Life is to short to dwindle on small things that matter least. There is more to care of such as our language, education and above all our culture. Aloha Ke Akua and our ancestors then and now!
Read more…

LET US STAND TOGETHER....

Posted by Namaka'eha on May 7, 2009 at 8:30am
This is clipping form Tane's Blog:I watched Mrs. Emma Nawahi as she arose to address the people. I have never heard two women talk in public in quite the same way. Would this Hawaiian women be embarrassed or timid, or self-conscious or assertive?Not any of these. Her manner had the simple directness that made Charlotte Perkins Stetson, two years ago, the most interesting speaker of the Women's congress. But Mrs. Stetson's pose is the most artistic of poses - a pretense of simplicity. This Hawaiian woman's thoughts were of her subjects, not of herself. There was an interesting impersonality about her delivery that kept my eyes fastened upon her while the interpreter at my side whispered his translation in short, detached phrases, hesitating now and then for a word, sometimes completing the thought with a gesture.""We are weak a people, we Hawaiians, and have no power unless we stand together." read Mrs. Nawahi frequently raising her eyes from her paper and at times altogether forgetting it."The United States is just - a land of liberty. The people there are the friends - the great friends of the weak. Let us tell them - let us show them that as they love their country and would suffer much before giving it up, so do we love our country, our Hawai'i, and pray that they do not take it from us."Our one hope is in standing firm - shoulder to shoulder, heart to heart. The voice of the people is the voice of God. Surely that great country across the ocean must hear our cry. By uniting our voices the sound will be carried on so they must hear us."In this petition, which we offer for your signature today, you, women of Hawai'i, have a chance to speak your mind. The men's petition will be sent on by the men's club as soon as the loyal men of Honolulu have signed it. There is nothing underhand, nothing deceitful in our way - our only way - of fighting. Everybody will see and may know of our petition. We have nothing to conceal. We have right on our side. This land is ours -- our Hawai'i. Say, shall we lose our nationality? Shall we be annexed to the United States? "'A'ole loa. 'A'ole loa."Let us not forget our kupuna who signed Ku'e Petition! I was reading cuz's blogs who always write about our true history. It is he who has inspired me to persist! Our ancestors are calling YOU!I leave you with this thought. BE PROUD WHO YOU ARE AND PERSIST IN ALL THAT YOU DO! BELIEVE IN YOURSELVES BECAUSE OUR KUPUNA DID TOO!
Read more…