COMMEMORATIVE CEREMONIES FOR THE BATTLE OF NUʻUANU
Each year since 1995, Nā Papa Kānaka o Puʻu Koholā has presided over the ceremonies at the Pali Lookout, on the last Saturday of April. In this blog, I share the thoughts of a first-time participant of this annual event, Reverend Ryan Kalama, President of the Kailua Hawaiian Civic Club:COMMEMORATION OF THE BATTLE OF NU'UANU 2009I awoke at 3:00 a.m. full of excitement about witnessing and participating in this Awesome Event. I had put on my garment that I prepared the night before. I stood in front of the Mirror dressed in black, with my yellow and tapa black print Kihei, my black and gold velvet Lei and yellow gold with black threading yarn Lei. I took the time to meditate that Ke Akua would bless everyone who was going to attend this Commemoration. We, Marvelle Kuulei Laughlin, Mary Ann Kanoelani Crowell, and myself, Kahu Ryan Alena Kaimana Kuhio Kalama arrived at 04:30 a.m., Saturday early morning, on April 25th, 2009, at the Pali Look Out, and we could see the many Ceremonial Participants preparing their garments, for this Honorable Event, under a tent; which was surrounded by the walls of the Koolau.These men and women of the Commemoration were adorned in their Ceremonial Attire that was so appropriate for this Event. One could hear and feel the breezes blowing through the trees through out the area, some of the visitors were expressing that they felt the chill breezes and they thought that the sound of the breezes were talking to them.The environment was completely dark, except for the brightness of car lights, as people were driving their cars up to the site and parking where ever they could find space, the huge 10 foot X 20 foot tent had bright lights which gave a glow reflection through out the area. The aroma of hot coffee, the sweetness of pastries, and the juicy fruits where being handed out to be shared amongst the Ceremonial Participants and the many guest that were surrounding the area. You could hear the whispers of everyone sharing how exciting everything seemed to be. Many shadows were walking everywhere as the anticipation waits on.The cool breeze swirled through out the area as we had all snuggled together trying to keep warm. It was so chilly that Kumu / Kahuna Sam Ohu Gon had noticed that our young man, Hekili, was very cold and offered his warmblack fleece jacket to keep him warm. Hekili was selected to be one of the Hookupu Presenters, representing the future Ceremonial Participants, at this awesome Event. Many visitors who had attended this Commemoration worejackets and warm clothing respectfully, stood by around the area, in the chilled air, awaiting the men and women, who were preparing themselves for this Honorable Historical Event. Everyone seemed so excited waiting for the Event to begin. This anticipation kept their interest as more visitors arrived, and so there they all stood in the chilled air of 50 degrees. Those who were Hawaiian, and those who so believe in our Culture, had such a passion of wonder as they awaited for the Ceremony to begin.This was my first experience, I could feel the excitement that others were feeling, who haven't seen this type of rare Event any where, we were awed with all the Ceremonial Participants, and we could feel the energy that was in the air. Marvelle Kuulei Laughlin, President of the Hawaiian Civic Club of Waimanalo, and Aunty Mary Ann Kanoelani Crowell, Vice-President, were greeting the majority of the Ceremonial participants, took a moment to introduce me to who they knew and then went to gather their Hookupu from the car. They were preparing themselves for this special Event. Kahu Yvonne Leimomi Keawe Kaiahua, Uncle Donald Kaiahua, and their grandson, Hekili, dressed in black, had arrived with their Kihei and Leis on. They also entered into the tent area to greet and malama everyone who wasparticipating.A beautiful young women had approached me, and had asked, if I knew Ryan Kalama, I chuckled, and said, Aloha that I was he. She said oh thank God, explaining that she was Aunty Moana Demello's, Administrator of St. Matthews Episcopal Church, daughter and she handed me a bunch of beautiful Tropical flowers that she had gathered from her yard, and a handmade beautiful 40 inch long Pukenikeni Lei, to give as a Hookupu to represent her family, the Hawaiian Civic Club of Waimanalo and the St. Matthews Episcopal Church. How thoughtful was this young women, who had taken the time to come so early in the morning, and attend her first Commemoration with her boy friend. She stated that she was also excited about seeing all the Ceremonial Participants getting ready.There were a variety of people who were taking pictures of all the Ceremonial Participants, Halaus, Kumus, Na Papa Kanaka o Pu'ukohola Halau, Na Kupa'aina o Hawai'i and the Chanters. At this time it was 5:30 a.m. the warriors of the Na Kupa'aina o Hawaii were in their malo attire standing in the 50 degree cold chill, some wore oil, some had meditated, some focused, some just toughed it out because of their passion to follow through on the ceremony. The Na Papa Kanaka o Pu'ukohola Heiau where adorn in their garments and Kihei, the Hawaiian Civic Clubs that attended were well represented with their Clubs Kihei and Leis on carrying the Hookupu. The attending Halau's also came in their garments and adornments presenting their Hookupu of Oli, Dance, and/or Gift to lay upon the Designated Kuahu.
The lovely Miss Mina Elison arrived with her beautiful ti leaf weaved lei; in which she had handmade, to be given for the Hookupu Ceremony for the Battle of Nuuanu. Mina, Aunty Yvonne, Uncle Donald, Hekili, Doctor Burrows, and myself had represented the Kailua Hawaiian Civic Club. Mina held the 40 inch Pukenikeni Lei, Hekili held the weaved Ti leaf Lei, and I held on to the Heliconia, Fern, and weaved Pele hair wrapped around the stocks. Kuulei Laughlin and Aunty Kanoelani Crowell with a coconut, beautiful arrangement of Anthuriums, Heliconias, Ferns, and weavedwith Pele's Hair. They had represented the Hawaiian Civic Club of Waimanalo. Aunty Waimea had represented the 'Ahahui Mālama I Ka Lōkahi and presented a large Gourd grown from the Kapaa Area at the Nāpohaku Site near the Kawainui Marsh.Kahuna Sam Ohu Gon, the Na Papa Kanaka o Pu'ukohola and the Na Kupa'aina o Hawai'i, had lined up to prepare for the Ceremony. The Kailua Hawaiian Civic Club, the Hawaiian Civic Club of Waimanalo, and 'Ahahui Malama I Ka Lokahi had lined up behind them. Then the other participating Halaus had lined up after us. The Visitors who attended surrounded along the sides of the edging of the Park and the Forestry. Everyone became silent as the chanters began to walk towards the cliff where the Battle of Nuuanu took place. The sound of the Conch Shell was blown, the Kahunas and Kahus started their Chants of permission to enter began to echo through out the area. Cameras were flashing, the crowd started to form a half circle around the procession; which started at the tent area approximately 50 yards from the Pali Look Out where the Battle of Nu'uanu had been. Each Halau, Organizations, Special Guests, Kumus, Kahus, and visitors who had attended this Commemorative were all witnessing the most powerful moment of the Commemorative of the Battle of Nu'uanu.Everyone had surrounded the Pali Look out area the three Kahu's had beckoned everyone in to give their offering. The wind was blowing, the air was chilled, and the Ceremonial Participants stood strong to give us their Commemoration to the Battle of Nu'uanu. The Na Papa Kanaka o Pu'ukohola and the Na Kupa'aina o Hawai'i purpose was to honor the Na Kanaka, Na Koa, and the Na Ali'i that shared in this Historical Moment.
As the sun rose over the Pali Look out you could hear, participate, and witness the traditional Oli. This had marked the 215th Anniversary since the events occurred that placed Kamehameha as the ruler of O'ahu, Moloka'i, Maui, and Hawai'i. The oli had stopped when Kahuna Ohu Gon had announced that the trees had cast their shadows upon the Koolaupoko's. We had greeted the Dawn of Morning with Sunrise protocols, chants, olis, hulas, and gifts. The Ceremony continued for two hours and it was so full of energy as we honored our ancestors. We have gathered to keep our history alive in our minds, in our hearts, in our souls, and to perpetuate our Hawaiian Culture.Ohu lead the Chanters, the Na Papa Kanaka o Pu'ukohola , the Na Kupa'aina o Hawai'i, the Halaus, the Hawaiian Civic Clubs, other Organizations, and Visitors who attend back down to the Tent area. We gathered together toembrace each other for sharing this Awesome Commemoration. The Ceremonial Participants gathered to get warm, changed, and to get something warm to drink ( hot coffee, hot tea, hot cocoa, and hot water), some fresh pastries, and juicy fruits. We had bid Aloha to all of them for sharing with us this special moment in time. I would attend and participate in this Honorable Commemoration over and over again. The Kailua Hawaiian Civic Club would like to invite all of the Hawaiian Civic Clubs to witness and partake in this unbelievable moment of Time and History. We would have stayed later, but the O'ahu Council had called a General Membership Meeting in Kahana Valley at 09:00 a.m.; so Mina Elison, Marvelle Kuulei Laughlin, Mary Ann Kanoelani Crowell and myself had to bid our farewells at 08:00 a.m. for we had at least an hours drive.Once again I hope that all of you would make it a traditional activity to attend. The whole family should be involved and plan to make this a special event to share with friends in the Community. We are all responsible to support one of the rarest commemorations of our Hawaiian History. Mahalo to all that had put this event together, Kahuna Sam Ohu Gon, Na Papa Kanaka o Pu'ukohola, Na Kupa'aina o Hawai'i, the variety of Halaus, Kumu Hulas, Kahus, and of course Doctor Burrows and Aunty Waimea for their guidance.Aloha Ke Akua;Kahu Ryan Alena Kaimana Kuhio KalamaPresident of the Kailua Hawaiian Civic Club-----------------------------
Mahalo iā ʻoukou e Kahu Kalama mā, no keia waihona.ʻOhu
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