Posted by Pono Kealoha on February 22, 2009 at 8:12pm
Maui marchers make 'spiritual quest'By Gary KubotaPOSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Feb 22, 2009LAHAINA, Maui » With chants and the blowing of conch shells, scores of native Hawaiians participated in ceremonies marking the closing of the religious Makahiki harvest festival and the start of a 193-mile walk around Maui.The ceremony late Friday night, attended by more than 200 people, took place on the site of Mokuula Pond, where Kamehameha royalty lived in the early 1800s.The walk around Maui renews the native tradition of visiting various land divisions and their people.Ke'aumoku Kapu, an organizer, said the main reason for the walk known as "E Kaapuni A Hoa Kukui Na Moku Aina" is to reflect on the spiritual nature of the occasion and to see how the environment and the people are doing."That's why the walk was done in the past," he said."What we're trying to do is turn this into a spiritual quest."Kapu said the walk was an opportunity for people to express their views about the conditions in Hawaii and that anyone was welcome to participate and to hold the torches leading the procession.Some Hawaiians expressed their dismay at Gov. Linda Lingle's appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court of a ruling by the state Supreme Court that prohibits the state from selling or transferring so-called ceded or crown lands.A copy of the court appeal was burned during the ceremonies.By noon yesterday, several participants had walked more than 20 miles as far north as Kahakuloa.The walk continues clockwise through Waihee, Kahului, Paia, rounding east Maui through Kahikinui and descending to the coastline along the King's trail to La Perouse, through Makena and Kihei and returning to Lahaina.Organizers expect the walk to take about six days.Kapu said a number of kupuna met and thought the ceremony would be helpful in perpetuating traditions to the younger generations.He said during their visits to 12 land divisions, or moku, Hawaiians have followed traditional protocols — visiting native Hawaiians chanted a request to enter and Hawaiians living in the area chanted responses allowing entry.LAHAINA, Maui » With chants and the blowing of conch shells, scores of native Hawaiians participated in ceremonies marking the closing of the religious Makahiki harvest festival and the start of a 193-mile walk around Maui.The ceremony late Friday night, attended by more than 200 people, took place on the site of Mokuula Pond, where Kamehameha royalty lived in the early 1800s.The walk around Maui renews the native tradition of visiting various land divisions and their people.Ke'aumoku Kapu, an organizer, said the main reason for the walk known as "E Kaapuni A Hoa Kukui Na Moku Aina" is to reflect on the spiritual nature of the occasion and to see how the environment and the people are doing."That's why the walk was done in the past," he said."What we're trying to do is turn this into a spiritual quest."Kapu said the walk was an opportunity for people to express their views about the conditions in Hawaii and that anyone was welcome to participate and to hold the torches leading the procession.Some Hawaiians expressed their dismay at Gov. Linda Lingle's appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court of a ruling by the state Supreme Court that prohibits the state from selling or transferring so-called ceded or crown lands.A copy of the court appeal was burned during the ceremonies.By noon yesterday, several participants had walked more than 20 miles as far north as Kahakuloa.The walk continues clockwise through Waihee, Kahului, Paia, rounding east Maui through Kahikinui and descending to the coastline along the King's trail to La Perouse, through Makena and Kihei and returning to Lahaina.Organizers expect the walk to take about six days.Kapu said a number of kupuna met and thought the ceremony would be helpful in perpetuating traditions to the younger generations.He said during their visits to 12 land divisions, or moku, Hawaiians have followed traditional protocols — visiting native Hawaiians chanted a request to enter and Hawaiians living in the area chanted responses allowing entry.......................................................UPDATE-Ka`apuni E Ho`a Kukui Na Moku AinaAloha Ka Kou,Well over 200 people attending the opening Ceremony at Moku`ula on Friday night for Ka`apuni E Ho`a Kukui Na moku Aina.Many, many tupuna from around the island attended the 11:00pm ceremony.As the fire was ignited and fed the States Appeal (of the so-called 'ceded lands") to SCOTUS by Keeaumoku and his na koa, Kaponoai and his chanters, Kaleikoa and ohana lighted the torces of Kaapuni E Ho`a Kukui Na Moku Aina and led those gathered from Mou`ula on this island wide journey of awakening and what is now evident as I writes...UNITING OF THE PEOPL....OF NA KANAKA MAOLI.We left Moukula a 11:40 pm. Well over a hundred marched through Lahaina Town.We arrive at Lealii Hawaiian Homes, Waihikuli....originally crown lands from the Hawaiian Kingdom,Note; A white Pueo was seen by several people floating in flight just above the marchers as we arrived at Kahoma Stream on Front Street...the families of Kahoma acknoweldged and expressed thanks to their tupuna.We arrived at Napili at around 5:00am and was greeted by Ohana and fed meaWe arrived at Honokahua at around 6:00am to pay respects to na tupuna iwi.We then arrived at Honokahau at about 9:00am and again was fed mea by the pali, mcCarty ohana.We arrived at kahakoloa at arounf 3:30pm and again was fed mea by Richard Hoopii and the families of Kahakola.The march continue on arriving next at Waihe'e at 8"30pm and again were fed by the familes of Waihee and Waiehu.So much aloha and LOKAHI......At Waiehu...hundreds and hundres of people from the Waiehu Kou Hawaiian Homs communityand the the upper Waiehu, Waihee valleycame out to geet and cheer the marcher as they made their way to through Paukukalo, Kahului, Kanaha and onto Paia where the they are no resting and having breakfast at Kuau Market at around 4:00am this morning.Note: The owner (?) of Kuau Market opened her store and is now fed the marchers.Next...onward to Haiku, Huelo, Kailua, Keanae, Wailua, Nahiku and Hana.....THE KOOLAU.Foster
Aloha e Pono. Just reading all this info that you have to share made my kino and my pu'uwai full of joy. The week of the march I cought pneumonia I was unabale to participate in this sipirtual jurney. Just knowing the hui passed through my brith place wchich is Waihee and knowing that they have passed my hale in Paia.
Aia ikaika ha'aheo kanaka maoli.
LAHAINA – Bearing a torch, a grassroots Hawaiian assembly plans to march nonstop around Maui’s circumference to raise awareness of Hawaiian issues, commencing midnight Friday, Feb. 20.
Named “Ka’apuni Ho’a Kukui o na Moku ’aina (go around and enlighten places in the land),” the march is expected to last six days along the alanui (roadways) bordering Maui’s shoreline and draw an unknown number of participants. The purpose is to educate the greater community about the current Hawaiian condition and correlations with the ’aina (land). Marchers will be handing out pamphlets and placing markers on ceded lands.
A 12-person crew will carry the torch through Maui’s 12 moku (large districts made of several ahupua’a; part of Hawaii’s original land divisions). The route takes marchers along lower roads, ancient alanui where feasible and over natural terrain in a clockwise direction.
Significantly, the walk begins and ends at Moku’ula in Lahaina. It is this spiritually-charged, historical location that was home to Maui ali’i (chiefs) and the original seat of the Hawaiian Kingdom.
Organizers have kept the march low-key, turning down financial assistance from associations and corporations that could politicize or commercialize their objectives. However, marchers will accept water, propane fuel and aid from the community.
“This march, literally, from the people’s perspective,” says spokesperson Ke’eaumoku Kapu, “is a nonstop walk for spirit.”
Hawaiians from Oahu, Kauai and Hawaii Island are also expected to participate.
Ceded lands is the central issue facing Hawaiians today. After the 1893 overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy, annexation to the United States placed almost two million acres of crown lands under U.S. Government control, much of which transferred to the state as a trust in 1959. The Kanaka Maoli (Hawaiian people) were named as beneficiaries through public education, public land use, Hawaiian housing and health care.
The Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) formed to allocate beneficiary funds, but the entire sequence of events, including today’s asset management, remains under a controversial cloud.
In 1993, the United States Congress issued the Apology Resolution, acknowledging the illegal overthrow of a sovereign nation.
The marchers cite that despite the trust provisions, many Hawaiians suffer inadequate healthcare, housing and education. Kapu wants to answer the questions the greater community might have, such as: “Hawaiians get set aside so much things. Why they grumbling? How come Hawaiians are so oppressed or so pissed off all the time?”
The pamphlets address the ceded lands issue, current pending legislation, health care, housing and education concerns, plus set the tone for the journey.
“This is not a march of retaliation, not a march of anger,” says Kapu. “It’s a march of grief.”
Besides public outreach, the marchers hope to motivate more Hawaiians to demand accountability for ceded land monies, understand and pursue beneficiary entitlements, and inspire ho’oponopono (the Hawaiian process of forgiveness and resolution) amongst neighbors. It is also a spiritual trek to honor kupuna i ka wa kahiko (ancestors), and reminiscent of ancient processions in honor of the Hawaiian god Lono.
All are welcome to join in the walk, whether for a few steps, a few miles or a few days. People wishing to represent their moku are advised to wear comfortable walking shoes and sun block, and bring supplies necessary to sustain their physical journey, such as water and a walking stick.
A van with emergency supplies and water is expected to follow and drive kupuna (elders) home “once they pau.” Tune into local radio stations for updates on the marchers’ route every two hours.
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Aia ikaika ha'aheo kanaka maoli.
BY TAJ MORGAN
http://www.lahainanews.com/story.aspx?id=10000
LAHAINA – Bearing a torch, a grassroots Hawaiian assembly plans to march nonstop around Maui’s circumference to raise awareness of Hawaiian issues, commencing midnight Friday, Feb. 20.
Named “Ka’apuni Ho’a Kukui o na Moku ’aina (go around and enlighten places in the land),” the march is expected to last six days along the alanui (roadways) bordering Maui’s shoreline and draw an unknown number of participants. The purpose is to educate the greater community about the current Hawaiian condition and correlations with the ’aina (land). Marchers will be handing out pamphlets and placing markers on ceded lands.
A 12-person crew will carry the torch through Maui’s 12 moku (large districts made of several ahupua’a; part of Hawaii’s original land divisions). The route takes marchers along lower roads, ancient alanui where feasible and over natural terrain in a clockwise direction.
Significantly, the walk begins and ends at Moku’ula in Lahaina. It is this spiritually-charged, historical location that was home to Maui ali’i (chiefs) and the original seat of the Hawaiian Kingdom.
Organizers have kept the march low-key, turning down financial assistance from associations and corporations that could politicize or commercialize their objectives. However, marchers will accept water, propane fuel and aid from the community.
“This march, literally, from the people’s perspective,” says spokesperson Ke’eaumoku Kapu, “is a nonstop walk for spirit.”
Hawaiians from Oahu, Kauai and Hawaii Island are also expected to participate.
Ceded lands is the central issue facing Hawaiians today. After the 1893 overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy, annexation to the United States placed almost two million acres of crown lands under U.S. Government control, much of which transferred to the state as a trust in 1959. The Kanaka Maoli (Hawaiian people) were named as beneficiaries through public education, public land use, Hawaiian housing and health care.
The Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) formed to allocate beneficiary funds, but the entire sequence of events, including today’s asset management, remains under a controversial cloud.
In 1993, the United States Congress issued the Apology Resolution, acknowledging the illegal overthrow of a sovereign nation.
The marchers cite that despite the trust provisions, many Hawaiians suffer inadequate healthcare, housing and education. Kapu wants to answer the questions the greater community might have, such as: “Hawaiians get set aside so much things. Why they grumbling? How come Hawaiians are so oppressed or so pissed off all the time?”
The pamphlets address the ceded lands issue, current pending legislation, health care, housing and education concerns, plus set the tone for the journey.
“This is not a march of retaliation, not a march of anger,” says Kapu. “It’s a march of grief.”
Besides public outreach, the marchers hope to motivate more Hawaiians to demand accountability for ceded land monies, understand and pursue beneficiary entitlements, and inspire ho’oponopono (the Hawaiian process of forgiveness and resolution) amongst neighbors. It is also a spiritual trek to honor kupuna i ka wa kahiko (ancestors), and reminiscent of ancient processions in honor of the Hawaiian god Lono.
All are welcome to join in the walk, whether for a few steps, a few miles or a few days. People wishing to represent their moku are advised to wear comfortable walking shoes and sun block, and bring supplies necessary to sustain their physical journey, such as water and a walking stick.
A van with emergency supplies and water is expected to follow and drive kupuna (elders) home “once they pau.” Tune into local radio stations for updates on the marchers’ route every two hours.