Posted by Namaka'eha on January 17, 2009 at 3:00pm
I had a difficult time sleeping last night, perhaps more excited to attend an event that deals with our own people. I got up this morning at seven then went back to sleep for another 1/2 hour. I had remembered what Pono said he would be at the park early to set up. I jumped out of bed and prepared food for the day. Ah hhahh...Rice and vienna sausage, two oranges and bananas.Afterward, I hele ana lakou ma Wal Mart. E kuai na papale. Got some kala, drove the kalaka ma Kapiolani Park. I notice that the more I refresh my 'Olelo Hawaii, the more I remember. It has been difficult since learning our language in college. I recall my grandfather speaking it before he passed on. After that,I rarely heard the language unless ma ke kula. Pardon the English and Hawaiian. I kinda like dat - Hawaiian Creole too!I had prepared for the event, unsure how many po'e would attend. My daughters and I walked to the bus stop, got on the the bus and got off to complete our journey via Saratoga to get to Kalakaua. What a delight! The color of red shirts can been seen from a distance. We joined in after parting with a new hoaaloha we met walking to the bus. Shalei told us that she had rented a van and drove her friends to the march. How sweet of her to do so! She was Moloka'i and work at U.H. We parted and joined in with others. Nervous as hell, but it became less intense as the po'e moved forward. It did seem odd eventhough we strive for the same goal. We are all related, different branches yet divided by the very people who stole our lands.I could feel my tutu's presence nearby. A sign of comfort to help me relax. As we marched as a group, the kahea of "Stop seling our lands" along with songs of encouragement to oni pa'a. I was almost in tears when I heard that song. How long has it been? Where have I been all these years living the Western life at most times. When I started learning about my own language/history 23 years ago, it was hard to believe what had happened to our own queen. I've been thinking about sending my youngest daughters to Hawaiian school; I think the closest is Waiau.We had stopped along the way and rested. The girls looked around and often questioned why so many people. My repsonse, "They stole our lands and overthrew the Hawaiian Monarchy." We march for something that is long over due. A good reference to Linda Lingle and her lolo counsel - NO WAY!We looked backwards at the po'e and for those in front, we smiled and pressed forward. At the end, my youngest (3 year old) was praised for her walk toward the end. We marched under our Hawaiian flags at the end. Wow, that felt great! We made it. We joined others and ate lunch there. As we ate, we made new friends and rested before we departed at 1:00 p.m. What a beautiful experience. I got to exercise for the day, spend time with my children and march with our po'e as we all share the same mana'o - Stop the nonsense, NO WAY to SELLING CEDED LANDS!
Okay, were you next to the slippah booth later? It may be you in another photo that TK has on her page and main page. Well, join of because we all will change spiritually, socially, physiccally and emotionally. A process that is a benefit just need to have inner healing. It is still present in all of us whether we admit it or not, I could feel it at that time during the march. I'm older and wiser with years of scars. The only person who ages me quicker is the crazy husband I married. He seems to keep me going after 23 years - I use ENERGIZER batteries for him.
Yep! That probably was me with my mouth running on like a portagee. Most times I put my glasses (maka aniani) on. I had my papale with a blue pikake lei on it which I had on most of the time. I wore a black aloha shirt with lauae floral print in grays and green and wore my singature Koa crescent necklace and a bright red silk lei. Long black trousers and black shoes. I bet you went by me or said aloha and kept going. Tsah! I would have love to see you and talk a little bit. Poho! Next time, okay? The photo on my page is when I was about 19 yrs old. Pono created the composition of it. Now 47 years later, My chest fell down, my teeth is estranged from each other, my eyes is going on strike (power-play, y'know), and my hair divorced me ( it won't be final until it packs up the rest of the follicles and leave forever). Outside of that, I'm the same "loveable" person who might lose my citizenship because of my looks (it scares too many people) LOL....
Anyhow, It was a great day with positive actions. Can't wait for another one of those events.
I like your write up. I hardly hear olelo oiwi where I am so sometimes it feels strange when I do not hear it but when I do... I understand which seems odd to me because all I hear is English LOL I actually have to make it a point to spend some part of every day to just olelo oiwi.
Well wow amazing write up. *You* can almost feel it.
Aloha, Lana
P.S. I have known Kalani Mondoy for about 10 years! I'm not from Molokai though and never been there nor do I ever want to go there. Not in a bad way though...
Ho, maika'i loa no ho'i! I am happy to read such great writing about the march, which I unfortunately did not attend today. Mahalo nui loa for your mana'o and your support ;)
Comments
Yep! That probably was me with my mouth running on like a portagee. Most times I put my glasses (maka aniani) on. I had my papale with a blue pikake lei on it which I had on most of the time. I wore a black aloha shirt with lauae floral print in grays and green and wore my singature Koa crescent necklace and a bright red silk lei. Long black trousers and black shoes. I bet you went by me or said aloha and kept going. Tsah! I would have love to see you and talk a little bit. Poho! Next time, okay? The photo on my page is when I was about 19 yrs old. Pono created the composition of it. Now 47 years later, My chest fell down, my teeth is estranged from each other, my eyes is going on strike (power-play, y'know), and my hair divorced me ( it won't be final until it packs up the rest of the follicles and leave forever). Outside of that, I'm the same "loveable" person who might lose my citizenship because of my looks (it scares too many people) LOL....
Anyhow, It was a great day with positive actions. Can't wait for another one of those events.
I'm preparing for drastic changes with little impact! Do you know the process of enrolling there, let me know. Mahalo for sharing!
Well wow amazing write up. *You* can almost feel it.
Aloha, Lana
P.S. I have known Kalani Mondoy for about 10 years! I'm not from Molokai though and never been there nor do I ever want to go there. Not in a bad way though...