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 HISTORICALINJUSTICE 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...
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..
What was it about this poem that made me utter the words - This is unbelievable! I discovered many similarities and frightened me to think that this crap is still going on today!Spread the word of your religions - You came to Hawaii and what did you do, you preached about the Bible,Convert the whole world if you can - You forced down what you could and demanded that we listen,Kill and slaughter those who oppose you- You poisoned our people and killed my ancestors with your disease,It's worth it if you save on man - You saved the ones you liked and favored a position in the government,Take the land to build your churches - You stole our lands and expected to take more, leave us landless,A sin to tax the house of God - You taxed the poor and avoided taxes yourselves,Take the child while he is supple - You take our children and shove your words of doom,Spoil the mind and spare the rod - You do no good for others and spare no savage beast,Go and tell the savage nation - You as a settler want to own lands in Hawaii, nonetheless u want even more,That he must be Christianized - You make us be like you and impose us with your work,Tell him, and his heathen worship - You must worship every word I preach or else feel the wrath,And you will make him civilized - You expect us to carry forth and do your work,Shove your gospel, force your values - You took my language and divided my people,Down its throat until it's raw - You shoved so deep while you warped our minds with your valuesAnd after he is crippled - You cut us down to skin and bone,Turn your back and lock the door - You left us landless and cared no lessMissionaries, Missionaries go and leave us alone - The pages are turning expect no gratitudeTake your white God to your white man - We have our own nation and fret no moreWe've a God of our own - We are the descendants of Papa and WakeaWords of Wisdom - Take a look around us and how settlers have treated Kanaka Maoli. Do not allow yourself to be caught up in the "web of deceit." This is a reminder that what happened since the arrival of Capt. Cook has only encouraged settlers to take all that they can.Educate yourself of our true history! Be akamai and take care of your kuleana! We are being blinded sided no matter which way we turn. When is it the best time to use the blinds to obtain full independence from U.S.
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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!
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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!!!
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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…
Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation." ~ Brian TracyDON'T STOP BELIEVING IN YOURSELF!Read more…
