Blog

All Posts (6434)

Sort by

Regrets Only? Native Hawaiians Insist U.S. Apology Has a Price

Posted by Pomaikaiokalani on March 11, 2009 at 7:34pm
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123682336964803763.htmlWall Street JournalMARCH 11, 2009, 10:58 P.M. ETRegrets Only? Native Hawaiians Insist U.S. Apology Has a PriceBy JESS BRAVIN and LOUISE RADNOFSKYWASHINGTON -- Lawyers typically warn clients never to apologize for anything, since a plaintiff could seize upon the remorse as an admission of liability. But what happens when governments apologize?A century after a cabal of American sugar planters, financiers and missionaries overthrew the Kingdom of Hawaii, Congress said it was sorry. The U.S. Supreme Court soon will decide whether that apology meant anything -- from a legal standpoint, at least.The Hawaii Supreme Court thought it did. Last year, that court cited the 1993 Apology Resolution to block the state from transferring any of the 1.2 million acres of land -- some 29% of Hawaii's total -- received from the federal government upon statehood in 1959. Those lands once belonged to the Hawaiian crown or its subjects, and were confiscated by the Americans without compensation.The resolution, which calls for "reconciliation between the United States and the Native Hawaiian people," acknowledges that native Hawaiians never relinquished claims to the land. The court interpreted this to mean that Congress intended there to be an amicable settlement of the land claims, which would be impossible if the state disposed of the disputed land."Generally, when a joint resolution...has emerged from legislative deliberations and proceedings, it is treated as law," Hawaii Chief Justice Ronald Moon wrote for a unanimous court.Hawaii's government appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, which heard arguments last month. The state concedes that indigenous Hawaiians "have a clear moral basis" for asking the state's government for compensation, but argues that they have no legal claim to the land.The Justice Department and 32 states filed briefs backing that position. Upholding the Hawaii Supreme Court's ruling could discourage Congress from making similar apologies for other historic wrongs, the Justice Department warned, adding that the Apology Resolution was only symbolic.But Hawaii's congressional delegation is at odds with the state government, and insists the resolution is supposed to have teeth. "Federal courts have interpreted [apologies] to shape national obligations under federal law," the four lawmakers, all Democrats, said in a friend of the court brief.In recent years, government apologies for official wrongs have proliferated. In 1988, Congress apologized to Japanese-Americans for their internment during World War II, and in 1990 approved an expression of "deep regret to the Sioux people" for the 1890 Wounded Knee Massacre. Seven states have apologized for forced sterilization of disabled, poor and minority residents in the early 20th century. Five states have apologized for slavery.But the Hawaii case might be the first where an apology resolution received legal weight, says Eric Miller, a law professor at Saint Louis University who has worked on campaigns seeking redress for African-Americans. Governments on rare occasion have paid restitution, but only through separate legislation.Prof. Miller worries that if the Hawaii opinion stands, future apologies might be rarer still. The "process doesn't necessarily get off the ground if people are going to be punished for it," he says.Rep. Steve Cohen (D., Tenn.) says the Bush administration raised fears of legal liability over the slavery apology he introduced into Congress. He is considering adding language stating that the apology isn't intended to affect the debate over possible slavery reparations, a step that might be "politically necessary to pass such a resolution," he says.While its legal impact is unclear, the 1993 Apology Resolution minces few words in describing the U.S. acquisition of Hawaii.In 1893, American diplomat John Stevens participated in a "conspiracy to overthrow the Government of Hawaii," it states. The coup d'état was "a violation of treaties between the two nations and of international law."The Americans eventually forced Queen Liliuokalani to abdicate and declared themselves rulers of a new Republic of Hawaii.The indigenous population soon was swamped by settlers from the mainland. In recent decades, Hawaii has grown more sensitive to aboriginal concerns. In 1978, it created the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, an autonomous agency run by and for aboriginals' descendants.A year after the Apology Resolution, the agency filed suit over the claims, leading to the high-court case. "The Western concept of land ownership was very foreign to Hawaiians," says Hawaiian Affairs Administrator Clyde Namuo. In traditional culture, "property is not a commodity that is bought and sold but it is used to benefit people who live and reside on the land."
Read more…

Police, Native Hawaiian activists exchange citations

Posted by Pono Kealoha on March 11, 2009 at 7:00am
Police, Native Hawaiian activists exchange citations

WAIHEE - Police issued 11 citations for trespass Tuesday morning to Native Hawaiian activists camped at Waihee Beach Park since December, and the last members of the Reinstated Hawaiian Government group left the park around 11:15 a.m.

The police action, following what could be called a peaceful standoff, came after last week's county announcement of a Waihee park closure this week for maintenance and beautification.

"Is the county the legal property owner? We want the documents showing they're legal," Nelson Armitage of Haiku said as police vehicles and officers lined the park entrance.

Armitage is the minister of foreign affairs and sole group spokesman.

"The county, state and federal governments don't have legal titles" to the land, he said.

The basis for the Reinstated Hawaiian Government's position is United States Public Law 103-150, or the 1993 Apology Resolution. The document refers to "the sovereign and independent kingdom of Hawaii," whose "people never relinquished their claims to their inherent sovereignty as a people over their national lands."

Armitage said his group's actions were taken in pursuit of sovereignty.

"Inherent sovereignty, that's us," said Armitage. "Inherent sovereignty is the proper claimant (of Hawaii lands). The Reinstated Hawaiian Government is the proper claimant.

"It's not right to possess stolen goods," he said, referring to the 1893 overthrow of the Hawaiian kingdom.

Neither a demonstration nor a confrontation, the laid-back scene depicted sovereignty, Waihee Beach Park style. The event also may have been an advance skirmish leading up to what Armitage said is the April 3 trial of Reinstated Prime Minister Henry Noa on charges of trespassing on Kahoolawe.

"We talked to Henry Noa," Armitage recounted. "He said, 'We need this'" standoff.

Mayor Charmaine Tavares said the activists had camped for several months at Waihee, although camping is not allowed at the park.

"We may not agree on the interpretation of international and federal laws that are being cited, but until the courts can sort out the legality of the situation, our county and law enforcement agencies are bound to fulfill current laws that are recognized by the County of Maui," said Tavares, a former county parks director.

"Our parks department exists to meet the needs of the broader community with parks and recreation services and access. That includes observing rules and regulations regarding camping.

"A group of individuals who identified themselves as the Reinstated Hawaiian Government have occupied the beach park for a few months. Maui police officers have tried to diplomatically resolve the situation. I appreciate that all parties acted respectfully."

At Waihee Beach Park, Armitage was dismissive of the sheaf of white-and-yellow police citations given members of his group.

"We have rights under the rules of law," he said, indicating the citations would be forwarded to attorneys for the group.

"We're taking this to the world courts," Armitage said.

The police apparently won't be the only issuers of citations. Armitage held a clipboard with a list of 19 officers' names neatly printed on yellow-pad paper.

"They give us citations. We give to them, too," he said with a smile.

* Kekoa Enomoto can be reached at kekoa@mauinews.com.

Read more…

FREE HAWAI`I TV - "THE MISSING LINKS"

Posted by Free Hawai`i on March 11, 2009 at 5:01am
FREEHAWAII.INFO PRESENTSFREE HAWAI`I TVTHE FREE HAWAI`I BROADCASTING NETWORK "THE MISSING LINKS"What's Missing In The Battle For The Stolen Or Ceded Lands?What's The One Thing The Fake State Of Hawai`i Is Trying To Fool Everyone About?& What Did A US Supreme Court Justice Say That Shocked Everyone?Watch & Find Out.
Read more…

OHA Survey... 31 YEARS LATE LOL

Posted by Ululani on March 10, 2009 at 2:30pm

For my family and friends who like KNOW:

I rec'd an email from a former classmate asking us to fill out this survey from OHA:"OHA in is the process of revising its Strategic Plan and as part of this process we have prepared a short survey questionnaire asking for input from all Hawaiians. It was printed in the March edition of the OHA newspaper, Ka Wai Ola and is also available electronically at our website:http://www.oha.org/survey/0903stratplan.php"I filled it out. Feel free to fill it out too. Some questions I answered with "-" [a dash] because some things are none of other people's business. I also didn't place my zip code though knowing how SNEAKY some people are over there they have IP tracers tracing people who submit their data. Nothing is sacred to some of them I swear. A few are cool though as in they bow down to our kupuna instead of to the dollar.Well feel free to fill it out online though it is 31 YEARS LATE:http://www.oha.org/survey/0903stratplan.phpIMHO they should be asking us EVERY DAY for our input. Encourage us to CALL. Let us know that the offices are OPEN and stress that they encourage an OPEN DOOR POLICY.. and FULL DISCLOSURE but nope! Some of them epitomize how some people have power and end up abusing it. Darn POWER TRIPS. Of course eventually they die but still they have the lives of other Hawaiians in the hands. Look at how some of them treat other Hawaiians. Aue! BTW I serve as a Board of Director on a board and helped to recall and replace a jerk who eventually died unexpectedly but I know how some people can have power trips. Some even act as though they walk on water LOLAnyway I answered the questions with both "worse off" and 'worse off." Just FYI. If I could I would have all of them recalled then replaced for failure to do their job and for making some Hawaiians jump through hoops or in some cases... watching as other Hawaiians DROWN. Typical O'ahu makaewaewa by the way and yes I was born on O'ahu but not ALL O'ahuans are rude and SELFISH lidat! ANYWAY LOL... if I could I would recall all of them then replace them with a few who are there and who are right on. The rest... they need to go!Latahs!!!


Read more…

HAWAI`I'S STOLEN LANDS

Posted by Free Hawai`i on March 10, 2009 at 4:55am
What Really Happened At The US Supreme CourtBy Leon SiuReading the newspaper accounts of the State of Hawaii v. the Office of Hawaiian Affairs oral arguments at the Supreme Court I asked myself, were they in the same courtroom that I was?Hawai`i newspapers put a phony, positive spin on what actually went down.The state's whole case is built upon the premise that the State of Hawai`i has "indisputable perfect title” to the “ceded lands.”Well guess what? If their title was “indisputable” and “perfect” why are they in court?And why have they been in court over this issue for 14 years? Because there is a dispute! There is a question of title!OHA never challenged the state’s “perfect title” claim and argued instead that according to state laws, the state had a “fiduciary duty,” sort of a moral obligation, to take care of the Native Hawaiians.That led Justice Ginsburg to ask, “The Native Hawaiians -- they do get 20 percent of the proceeds, correct?”And the OHA attorney to answer, “That's correct…as a matter of State law they get 20 percent of the revenue from the ceded-lands trust…” (we all looked incredulously at each other…since when?)Then he clarified, “…though the amount of that revenue has itself been the subject of protracted and unresolved litigation.” Oh, so we get 20%, but not yet! The check’s in the mail… Yeah, right.Later, Justice Kennedy stated to the OHA attorney: “Your whole case rests on a cloud on the title in favor of your clients. But you - you ignore the cloud on the title that has been entered against the State.”
Read more…

Support for Hawaii civil union vote wavering

Posted by Pono Kealoha on March 9, 2009 at 8:23am
Support for Hawaii civil union vote waveringDonna3.jpgdonna4.jpgpro civil union vigil Vicky Holt Takaminepro civil union vigil#2pro civil union vigil#3HONOLULU (AP) — The drive to make Hawaii the fifth state in the country to allow same-sex civil unions is on the verge of failing, despite support from most state lawmakers.Senate leaders had planned a vote before the full Senate as early as Tuesday, but deep divisions have emerged over whether Democrats should take an extraordinary legislative step to revive the measure after a tie committee vote.A tie vote in committee usually is enough to kill a measure, but the bill could advance under a rarely used provision of the Hawaii Constitution if more than one-third of senators approve.The Democratic leadership wants more than half the Senate to agree to put the bill before the full Senate. Some rank-and-file senators who support the bill, however, are unwilling to circumvent the normal legislative process.The measure already has passed the Hawaii House.Lawmakers' hesitation comes after more than 6,000 opponents, most of them from religious groups, rallied against the legislation Feb. 22 at the state Capitol. Civil union supporters planned their own event at the Capitol on Saturday."I'm hopeful in the end, the majority can come together and reach a consensus," said Majority Leader Sen. Gary Hooser, D-Kauai-Niihau, who supports civil unions.If the bill doesn't come out of committee, the issue may not come up again until near the end of this year's legislative session in May, or lawmakers could decide to drop the issue entirely.Legislators could also compromise by approving a watered-down version of civil unions that affirms gay partnerships but reserves some marital rights for heterosexual couples only. That version would permit same-sex couples or family members to enter into a relationship that provides hospital visitation, inheritance and auto insurance benefits but denies adoption and other parental rights. Additional rights such as health and tax benefits could be added.Sen. Will Espero, who suggested the amendment and would vote against the current civil unions bill, said the compromise means opponents couldn't argue that civil unions are the same as marriage."There's not a sense of rushing and immediacy. We want to do it properly and in a manner we can all get behind," said Espero, a Democrat. "We understand how sensitive the issue is."Other senators have said amending the bill would ruin its chances of passage because that would open a new round of negotiations in committee.A compromise also may be untenable to the gay community, said Alan Spector, co-chair of the Family Equality Coalition."How does one compromise on equality and civil rights? We're being asked to accept less than equality," Spector said.Republican Gov. Linda Lingle has not said whether she would veto the bill if it reaches her desk.Nearly 70 percent of Hawaii voters approved a constitutional amendment in 1998 granting the state Legislature the power to reserve marriage for couples of one man and one woman.Only two states, Massachusetts and Connecticut, allow gay marriage, while Vermont, Connecticut, New Jersey and New Hampshire allow civil unions. California, Oregon and Washington allow same-sex couples to enter into domestic partnerships.donna2.jpg___On the Net:HB444: http://capitol.hawaii.gov/
Read more…

Please join this group

Posted by Ululani on March 8, 2009 at 4:30pm


For my family and friends who like KNOW:

http://www.maoliworld.com/profile/AhahuiMalamaikaLokahiWhile I do what I do in order to donate to my causes which are mostly oiwi based... I am very much anti-super development which means that while I know alot about title and thus about land in the Haole World I still do not condone that people suck the life out of him or her. With that in mind... y'all know that I attended Kamehameha Schools on full financial aid where I had to wash dishes. They don't do that now but back in da day... I did.Well I used to belong to Hui Lama. Doc Burrows was our adviser. It's through him and through people like him that I really learned to appreciate the flora and fauna of the aina so these days there is no way I condone or accept money just to profit off of the land and not GIVE anything back to him or her though the only exception is when I do referrals to or for LOCAL people.Well he is part of this group so I hope you support him:http://www.maoliworld.com/profile/AhahuiMalamaikaLokahiTo me it is VERY important that people support him and people like him.By the way long story short but I found out that he is the uncle of one of my former classmates. Small world.PLEASE JOIN and show support for this VERY important cause.In the meantime I have been trying to conquer a specific software on my own. Wow it's tough LOL but I am getting it. My websites should be updated soon. That is... all of my what... hundreds of websites LOL I can't write too much about them because there are some secrets that I don't want to share with certain people so I not going post it here for them to know. If they wanna know den dey can spend weeks scouring thousands of pages and find out on their own like how I did LMAOYes yes yes I will TRY to be back to show up at Iolani Palace in August. Emphasis on TRY.Tomorrow another deal will be closing which means that a few days later I will be sending a check with the words "For now" on it. I bet when some people see that... dey laugh. I hope dey laugh LOLAnyway PLEASE JOIN!http://www.maoliworld.com/profile/AhahuiMalamaikaLokahihttp://www.maoliworld.com/profile/AhahuiMalamaikaLokahihttp://www.maoliworld.com/profile/AhahuiMalamaikaLokahiP.S. I know that some of y'all read some of my stuff and laugh.Latahs!


Read more…

CHAIN OF FOOLS ON VOICES OF TRUTH – ONE-ON-ONE WITH HAWAI`I'S FUTURE

Posted by Free Hawai`i on March 8, 2009 at 8:30am
"Indisputable perfect title."Those three words spoken by attorney general Mark Bennett in the stolen lands case at the US Supreme Court are coming back to haunt both the fake state of Hawai`i and the Office Of Hawaiian Affairs as they attempt their illegal grab of Hawaiian Kingdom lands.So does perfect title really exist on these lands? If so, who has it?Find out this Wednesday on Free Hawai`i TV as we take a closer look and answer all your questions about what perfect title is, who has it, and what the missing links are today.Speaking of titles, we have two of our most recent popular ones for you this week on Voices Of Truth – One-On-One With Hawai`i's Future.MONDAY, March 9th At 6:30 PM – Maui – Akaku, Channel 53MONDAY, March 9th At 7:00 PM & FRIDAY, March 13th At 5:30 PM – Hawai`i Island – Na Leo, Channel 53THURSDAY, March 12th At 8:30 PM & FRIDAY, March 13th At 8:30 AM – Kaua`i – Ho`ike, Channel 52"Kukaniloko – Birth Of A Nation – A Visit With Tom Lenchanko"One of Hawai`i's oldest sites dating back to 1060 AD, Kukaniloko was a birthing place for high ranking ali`i. Today it's known as a portal where people from all over the world are drawn by an ancestor's calling – to link back and touch family members long since gone. Tom's demonstration of how various stones in Kukaniloko were used, including the birthing stones is not to be missed. A breathtaking visit to a special place where the ancestors await - and time stands still. Watch It Here.SATURDAY, March 14th At 8:00 PM – O`ahu, `Olelo, Channel 53"Vanity & Insanity – A Visit With Skippy Ioane"You never know what’s going to happen around Hawai`i Island activist and Hui Pu founder Skippy Ioane. Thrown off the steps of `Iolani Palace during our interview when he attempts to claim it as sovereign territory, Skippy offers his own unique insights about the illegal overthrow and US occupation, and tells us the single most important thing we can do today with ceded lands.Watch It Here.Voices Of Truth interviews those creating a better future for Hawai`i to discover what made them go from armchair observers to active participants. We hope you'll be inspired to do the same.If you support our issues on the Free Hawai`i Broadcasting Network, please email this to a friend to help us continue. A donation today helps further our work. Every single penny counts.Donating is easy on our Voices Of Truth website via PayPal.You can watch Voices Of Truth anytime on the web.And for news and issues that affect you, watch Free Hawai`i TV, a part of the Free Hawai`i Broadcasting Network.
Read more…

He iwi moa wale nō! - Only a chicken bone!

Posted by ʻOhukaniʻōhiʻa on March 8, 2009 at 5:00am
I am transfering a blog I posted elsewhere here:

junglefowlmed.jpg

Mai ka DNA mai loko mai o nā iwi moa kahiko loa i loaʻa mai ai mai Chile, ka hō'ailona hō'ike o ka hana kūpaianaha o nā hoʻokele waʻa o ka wā kahiko.From the DNA in the bones of very ancient chicken bones found in Chile, is evidence demonstrating the amazing exploits of navigators of ancient times.Mai Amelika Hema mai ka uala a me ka ipu a kākou. Mai Polinetia ka moa.From South America to us came sweet potato and ipu gourds, and from Polynesia the chicken.E heluhelu i kēia kolamu nūpepa e pili ana ia:Read about it here:Kolamu nupepa iwi moaChicken bone news article
Read more…

Oli Kāhea no Kawainui

Posted by ʻOhukaniʻōhiʻa on March 7, 2009 at 8:07pm

As a board member of the 'Ahahui Mālama i ka Lōkahi (Hawaiians for the Preservation of Native Ecosystems), I am asked to provide guidance and protocols for cultural approaches to our conservation and revegetation/restoration work. I would like to share here the entrance chant composed for work at Kawainui, O'ahu:Oli komo no KawainuiEntrance chant for KawainuiKAHEA (CALL):Hā'ale'ale ka leo o ka 'alaeHe māpuna leo polo 'ai i ka la'iHe pule kānaenae i UlupōI ulu pono la i UlumawaoKakali ka neke i ka nihii ka ni'o o ka wahinewaiKe nihi ka hele nei, e!Ke nihi ka hele nei, e!Full is the voice of the 'alaeA voice of invitation in the calmA chant of request to UlupōThat true inspiration reaches UlumawaoThe neke ferns await at the borderAt the entrance of the woman-water(We) proceed with due care now!(We) proceed with due care now!PANE (RESPONSE):Māwehe 'ia ka neki i ka waiE hō'ike i ka wai 'ānapanapaHō'ike pū nō ka mana'o ponoE mai, hele mai, i [Nā Pōhaku]E mai, hele mai, eia nō mākou neiThe neki bullrushes part at the shoreRevealing the shimmering watersRevealed along with your righteous intentApproach, enter, at [Nā Pōhaku]Approach, enter, here we areNOTES: There is quite a bit of kaona and symbolism in this oli that bears explanation:'alae: The 'alae (Hawaiian gallinule) is an endangered endemic waterbird of Kawainui, and in ancient times, the 'alae symbolized the voice of the chief whose opinion swayed the chiefly council. Some consider the voice of the 'alae an ill omen, but as a kinolau of Hauwahine (see wahinewai, below) , the voice of the 'alae is an auspicious thing at Kawainui!mapuna leo: literally: wafted voice of few words; an apt description of the voice of the 'alae! But "mapuna" also alludes to the life-giving freshwater springs that arise in Kawainui.polo 'ai: literally: to summon, to invite. Also a veiled allusion to the famous lepo 'ai (edible mud) of Kawainui, one of the 'ai kamaha'o (astonishing foods) of the land.Ulupo heiau and Ulumawao hill lie before and behind you as you chant at Na Pohaku, and the play on ulu (growth, inspiration) is intended here.neke: an ambiguous reference to two plants of Kawainui: a fern, and also a bullrush of the same name. A variant of the name is "neki."ni'o: doorway or sacred threshold, but also highest point, pinnacle, as the stone of Na Pohaku are perched on high, overlooking the wetlands.Recently, Walter Mahealni Keale made this oli into a mele, and put it on his new CD. He calls it the "ZZTop of Oli Kāhea" and I enjoy its sound! You can hear it and judge for yourself:wahinewai: a veiled reference to Hauwahine, the mo'o-wahine (woman lizard-goddess) of Kawainui.nihi ka hele: to proceed with careful observance of kapu. Proceeding with care is part of the protocol of respect.'anapanapa: The 'anapanapa is an indigenous plant that grows around Na Pohaku, but also describes the shimmering waters of Kawainui.Haku 'ia e S. M. 'Ohukani'ohi'a Gon III, Kekemapa 2000, no ka 'Ahahui Malama i ka Lokahi.
Read more…

Kanaka ʻai pōhaku

Posted by ʻOhukaniʻōhiʻa on March 7, 2009 at 7:39pm

Petroglyphs1_3.jpg

In the Hawaiian "Stone Age"Archeologists refer to the material culture of ancient Hawai'i as neolithic, since its basis was via the use of stone tools. In a volcanic setting, metal-bearing ores were unavailable, so the development of tools and weapons was based on a foundation of available materials that included coral-derived limestone, sedimentary sandstone, and a variety of volcanically-derived rocks such as pumice, dense, fine-grained basalt, lighter, more porous basalt, and rather uncommon igneous rocks such as obsidian (volcanic glass), and jasper. With such a limited set of working materials, it is amazing how rocks of various kinds were incorporated into every aspect of Hawaiian life, from warfare to personal grooming, from cooking to creation of carved figures, from house-building to communication, and from agricultural complexes to massive temples.

LimahuliGarden7.jpg

Pā pōhaku (stone walls) ranged from simple, low constructs that provided more visual separation than physical barrier, to well-engineered double walls, inward sloping, with smaller clinker filling, designed to settle inwards during earthquakes. The culmination of stone structures of course, were massive heiau temple structures, some of which we can still be awe-struck by today, such as Pu'u Koholā at Kawaihae on the Big Island, or Pi'ilanihale, in Hāna, Maui, whose sides tower above the kukui treetops near the rumbling sea.No less marvelous are some of the stonework used to lay out Hawaiian 'auwai (agricultural canals) and lo'i (terraces). Intricate and extensive public works covered the bottoms of arable wet valleys, and even brought water long distances to bring agriculture to fertile, but water-limited regions of Kohala. No wonder pre-contact Hawai'i supported half a million or more people without the need for massive importation of food and goods that we see today.Well aware of the variations in density, porosity, and abrasiveness, Hawaiians matched different rock abraders to the material being worked, from softer pumice (hapou) to finish woodwork, to hard, fine-grained boulders (pohaku hoana), against which to hone the finest ko'i (stone adzes). To discover such grinding boulders at ancient sites is an amazing thing: huge boulders, on which intricate parallel grooves radiate outward, marking the edges of innumerable adzes of different sizes, that were finished or resharpened on such stones over perhaps hundreds of years.

KauhiimakaokalaniImage1.jpg

The permanence of stone marked it as supernatural in a world where things are typically born, live, and pass away from physical existence, and it is no surprise that everything from huge stone formations to smaller carved and uncarved pōhaku could be considered kino (bodies) of akua (deities and spiritual beings). The so-called "Crouching Lion" on the island of O'ahu is a fine example: in Hawaiian mo'olelo, this is Kauhi'īmakaokalani, a kupua fated to a permanent watch station, and who, in his effort to arise and join Hi'iaka in her quest to fetch Lohiau for her sister Pele, was able to assume a crouch before he was again petrified by greater powers than he could muster.

neckkii.jpg

Smaller pohaku reflected a myriad of 'aumakua, from the famous pueo (owl) stone god to stones that represent mano (sharks), fish, and other creatures. Of course, stones were worked into human form too, perhaps the best known being those found on the small NW island of Necker, which show strong traces of Marquesan carving style, and verify the shared cultural heritage of Polynesia as well as an extension of the Pacific voyaging tradition.

koi-adze-maker.jpg

The ko'i (adze) is a fine symbol of the Hawaiian pohaku tradition, because even a summary review of ko'i size, shape and material shows a huge variety, from large ko'i with which to hew down gigantic koa trees, to tiny ko'i that were used for the final carving of intricate designs on temple drums. With the ko'i, nearly all of the wooden structures of Hawaiian life were worked, from canoes to houses, and from works of art to sacred images. Ko'i were so important that Keanakako'i, an alpine site on Mauna Kea, which provides some of the finest material was visited and quarried by ko'i specialists for hundreds of years, braving freezing cold and dangerously thin air. Similarly, a site near Pu'u Wa'awa'a in Kona provides some of the best large pieces of obsidian, and the place was famous throughout the archipelago for that important carving material.It is no wonder that in a volcanic landscape in which rock forms the foundation, weathers into soils, and thus provides the ground from which food and therefore life is generated, Hawaiians would equate their own lives to pohaku. Among the innumerable 'olelo no'eau that mention pohaku, there is a saying likening the people of Kona to lava boulders, which reflects on their numbers, their toughness, and their unity with the land. One only has to sit on the lava fields of Kona on a hot, windless day to realize also that the people of Kona would have been so sunbaked and dark, that when they sat still among the stones, they would essentially disappear among them!

D0405653.jpg

There are so many terms for the different kinds of rocks, and terms for special tools and devices made from pohaku that to even list them all would require a small book. Some of my favorite pohaku related items include:Type -- Descriptionkilo pohaku -- dark polished stone mirrors which provide a fine reflection of one's face when covered with a sheen of waterpohaku kikeke -- bell stones, which would render a clear, loud tone audible throughout the ahupua'a in time of needpohaku kohi -- stone tools for splitting hot baked breadfruit, again part of a Marquesan legacyma'i pohaku -- phallic stones, such as the famous Kauleonanahoa on Moloka'i, that women would sit upon during rituals to ensure pregnancygaming stones such as maika -- carved convex discs rolled for accuracy between close-set stakes during the Makahiki season. So devoted to such pastimes were our Hawaiian ancestors that the list of different maika types based on material, size, shape, and color, provide a page full of names.So the next time you hear that ancient Hawaiians lived in the stone-age, you will know just how rich a life that was. It provides a legacy of pride that is reflected even in the popular song "Kaulana Na Pua," whose third verse tells us"Ua lawa makou i ka pohaku, i ka 'ai kamaha'o o ka 'aina."The stones are wealth enough for us, the astounding sustenance of the land.

Kamilopetroglypharmsup.jpg

Read more…

Ma ke ala kupuna i Kona Hema

Posted by ʻOhukaniʻōhiʻa on March 7, 2009 at 7:13pm

ohumakealapohakuokipahoehoemed.jpg

Aia au ma ke ala kupuna, ma Kipahoehoe i ka moku o Kona Hema, moku o Keawe. Ku i ke ala maa i ka hele no ka po'e pohaku o Kona...I remember standing there, and feeling the heat pouring from the 'a'a flow around me, and being thankful for the thick boots that kept the hot water-worn stones from my feet, and I thought on both how tough the kanaka of this district had to be, and on how the trail of boulders across the 'a'a must have taken hundreds of strong backs to place. I wondered how old the trail was, and felt strong connections with those who had walked over it before.Further along the trail, in the hottest time of the day, a lone, large iliahi tree beckoned about a stone's throw mauka from the trail, so I picked my way slowly over the 'a'a to enjoy its shade, and there, to my great surprise, I found a large iron 'o'o leaning up against the tree, its surface was pitted with slow rust of decades, but at two spots, where hands would have held it, the metal was without corrosion, yet so hard had this 'o'o been used that the tool was visibly narrower at those two grip points! I took the 'o'o and immediately noticed that where my hands would comfortably grasp was almost a foot lower than where the hands of its owner had been. I thought: He kanaka nui ikaika no ia! I hefted the 'o'o and it was dense, heavy, and strong, and I wondered on the endurance and power of the kane kahiko who had carried it daily on the hot coastal trails. Why was it left here? How long had it waited for me to be called to the tree to find it there?I considered keeping it, but instead, placed it back in position, leaning against the grey rough bark of the kumu iliahi, and after voicing my aloha, returned to the trail and my mission of the biological survey of this aina wela.pipi holo kaao
Read more…

HAWAI`I SUPERFERRY'S HIDDEN DECLINING RIDERSHIP

Posted by Free Hawai`i on March 7, 2009 at 7:21am
In a recent report, for the 5 months of September '08 through January '09 the Superferry transported about 75,000 passengers, or an average of about 15,000 passengers per month.This would be a 20 to 40% decline in ridership per month from the first 5 months after the last drydock to the second 5 months after the last drydock up through last month.So far, this dramatic decline in demand for HSF's services over the past 5 months has not been reported in the media.
Read more…

US HAS NO LEGAL STANDING IN HAWAI`I

Posted by Free Hawai`i on March 5, 2009 at 8:25pm
Maui News - February 17, 2009According to a story in the Maui News Feb. 10, "State Lawmakers are considering passage of legislation that would require people seeking driver's licenses to prove that they're legally in the United States."If passed, the state of Hawai`i could never issue another driver's license. From a standpoint of law absolutely nobody in Hawai`i - resident aliens, US citizens, even the state itself - "can prove they're legally in the United States."The California Assembly could pass the same legislation and not run into these problems. This is because the the Guadalupe Hidalgo treaty of 1848 transferred Mexico's title to the United States, thereby making California legally part of the US.The United States Congress twice rejected treaties proposing the annexation of Hawai`i. They opted to "annex" Hawai`i by joint resolution. Being a domestic law, no resolution other than one ratifying a treaty has any effect on an international level. For instance, Congress cannot annex Russia without Russia's consent.U.S. Public Law 103-150 admitted that "the indigenous Hawaiian people never directly relinquished their claims to their inherent sovereignty as a people or over their national lands to the United States, either through their monarchy or through plebiscite or referendum."Since the sovereignty of Hawai`i was never relinquished, Hawai`i is not legally part of or "in the United States."Dan TaylorHaiku, Maui
Read more…

Tane's Response to the Ultracrepidarian Critic Emeritus, Conklin

Posted by Tane on March 5, 2009 at 9:48am
I thought I'd relay my countering this piece of s@#! and hope you can glean from these the arguments to use against such trash that they spout some are recent and some are throughout the years:Kenneth R. Conklin, the ultracrepidarian critic.The spinmaster is at it again; spewing his venomous criticisms against the Hawaiians. If he honestly researches all the documents and exercise critical thinking, he may come up with a truer picture of Hawaiian History. This newcomer to the islands uses selective memoirs and promotes revised history to empower his somewhat lop-sided version of what occurred here in Hawaii. Tibet vs Hawaii hits very close to the truth and it alarms him and his cohorts that are trying to preserve the myths in protecting the USA's interests in Hawaii as they have in their own country for over 180 years. In truth, they do not want to give up Hawaii and their interests here. This personal imposition disturbs them so much that they will say anything to maintain the status quo which keeps them in power. Their insistence to their lies persistently will not change the truth nor create their lies to become truth. Conklin was born and raised on the mainland, programed and conditioned there. Hawaii's issues are unique from what goes on within the contiguous 48 states and cannot be applied the same way. The hidden truth is revealed and cannot be dismissed. The only thing we agree on is that we are against the seditious Akaka Bill when the Hawaiian Kingdom still exists, albeit under US belligerent occupation. Who knows more about our history than we who have experienced it here in Hawaii throughout the many generations prior to the US invasion and up to the present day....................Once Again the Ultracrepidarian Critic Raises His Perverted Head. Here we have a foreign settler that professes to know more about Hawai'i's history than the people who actually come from Hawai'i. He rewrites our history and does a ballerina-spin in his tutu woven with his Boston-made yarn. This presents a battle of wills from perceptions and interpretation of concepts one has been raised with. His education is limited to what he reads in books and documents that can support his arguments. His affilliation with direct descendants of the traitors and conspirators bolster his arguments with their selective version of events and his yellow journalistic tactics to deride any opposition to his thwarted facts are most evident.With Conklin, we, too, are faced with the concern of his ignorance or blatant lies. Distorting facts and total fabrication is obvious as well as withholding facts to enforce his arguments. His endeavor to kill the Akaka Bill is in accord with many of us but his reasoning and arguments are on the opposite side of the scale. He's emboldened to spout his myths brazonly while knowing most U.S. Americans will unknowingly side with his rhetoric. This self-aggrandizement of being the champion of the patriotic U.S. American fits his profile as a blind patriot with little substance.Conklin will do well in stating things in a more correct light without the snide remarks that incite people to angrily react to his words. Robert Wuhl stated a very real observation regarding U.S. American history: "The stories that made up America (are) the stories that America made up." and "...when the legend becomes fact; print the legend." We can see this manifested in Conklin's account of what occurred in Hawai'i from the U.S. conspiracy, invasion, and occupation, annexation, and statehood.Professional skeptic, Michael Shermer, says, "Humans tend to convince ourselves to believe: We over-value the 'hits' that support our beliefs, and discounts the more numerous 'misses'." I am certain that this is what Ken Conklin is greviously guilty of through exaggeration and distortion. His mislaid emphasis colors his bias within his arguments he employs to strengthen his third-hand information. He has made many incorrect statements and spins a fancy tale in relating the facts.Conklin believes facts should fit into his imperfect accounts of what occurred to whitewash his country's guilt and erase the shame and dishonor it has self-imposed on itself. Paraphrasing other people's words doesn't help him make his points; thus, we shouldn't rely on Ken Conklin's account either, as much of what he says are a hodge-podge of nonsense. It will do better if one does their own research and get to know how the people of that time felt about what was going on. What is important is what the people in Hawaii thought of it at that time; since it involved them directly.I won't debunk the contrived historical account given by Conklin since it is riddled by numerous errors and would be too lengthy in this writing to address. I will say that Slade Gorton and his fellow objectors felt betrayed by Inouye (whom I don't care for either) and were concerned that the "...logical consequences would be total independence." Inouye pronounced to Congress that the Hawaiians were loyal U.S. Americans and would not seek independence. There was no talk of it used to demand a race-based government handouts and to support a secessionist movement during the passage of the Apology Bill. The concern was that the Hawaiians would seek total independence and the de-occupation of the U.S. Under the circumstances, it would not be secession; we would be seeking de-occupation by the U.S. A.The Akaka Bill is a contrived version of the sovereign nation of Hawai'i as perceived by U.S. Americans to fit the character akin to the Native Americans. Mr. Conklin should get his facts straight before posturing his own errant interpretations. He is printing the myth as fact; the stories that America made up!TaneHawaiiReporter.com reports the real news, and prints all editorials submitted, even if they do not represent the viewpoint of the editors, as long as they are written clearly. Send editorials to mailto:Malia@HawaiiReporter.com...........Aloha cuz:Your right. This 'okole hi settler from Massachusetts left out a lot of facts to strengthen his arguments. Interesting to note that Japan balked at the US actions and privately condemned the US but the Western countries over-rode Japans sentiments. Today, Chinese Law Journal recognizes the fact that the Hawaiian Kingdom still exists albeit under the US belligerent occupation. Under Jewish law, that most countries accept as common law, is a signature under duress is ineffectual, null and void. The Queen was under duress signing that abdication but she continued to petition the US for redress. It's worth noting that the queen didn't use her official legal signature, thus she never relinquished her title in abdicating but as one of a private citizen.Conklin conveniently fails to mention the Ku'e Petitions of 1897 signed by the Hawaiian nationals in protest and that the cabinet members were part of the conspiracy and committed high treason. Many Hawaii nationals were forced to sign the oath of allegiance in order to work within Hawaii. Many signed under duress just to feed their families. I would call that extortion. Nonetheless the people protested up till today. Conklinites do have a habit to take facts out of context and twist them to suit their smug ego. It's the wolf crying "sour grapes"! They are truly the ultracrepidarian critics suffering from oneirataxia. To believe this piggish of a man, is to be ailing from synesthesia and antipathy for the truth. His failing arguments and revision of history is scurrilous at best.Tane............angelfire.com is Ken Conklin's website. He relishes in doing a spin on Hawaiian issues to ridicule and discredit Hawaiians. This is his article to obfuscate and perform reverse racism that is infamous of the USA racist WASP society. He, Slom, Zimmerman, Burgess, et. al., have declared war against the Hawaiians because we will not comply to the WASP society and assimilate to it. They distort the facts so no one will believe that the Hawaiian Nation still exists and we are still under the US belligerent occupation and that the USA has violated the laws of occupation.Conklin likes to belittle Hawaiians and has proven himself to be the epitome of an ultracrepidarian critic with his racist WASP mentality who still believes in manifest destiny which is prevalent in their way of thinking even today. He prefers us to accept the myths and hoax as truth.The vacuous argument he uses, presumes that Hawaiians don't marry other Hawaiians but instead marries ONLY other ethnic groups. Thus his aberrant reasoning is the reducing fraction to 1/128 Hawaiian blood is what Hawaiians will have in 50 years. In the 1800s, they made the same ludicrous remarks, hoping that would happen and validate themselves as rightful owners of the Hawaiian Islands. This wishful thinking never materialized. But they insisted on making it appear that way.Of course, this diversive thought ignores the real fact which is Hawaii is still a nation-state with a multi-ethnic make-up. In 1890, the census was 84.4% of the Hawaii Nationals were Kanaka Maoli and 15.6% were Hawaii Nationals of other ethnic origin. This comprised of 51 % of the total residents and 49% were foreigners (including contract workers from Asia, South Pacific, Europe, US Americans) and others from various parts of the world.It's people like him that emphasizes Hawaiians only, to discredit the argument of a Hawaiian Nation and create the image of a colonized tribe. Figuring there is less of us in the society, we will just merge into the WASP system of USA like all the "immigrants" that came to US America. Well, we are not immigrants, we are nationals, citizens of the Hawaiian Kingdom.Conklin must think he is the voice of authority and intelligence; but in essence, he is just like "Bush the Fabricator and Exaggerator Emeritus!" Unfortunately, there are many mentally-challenged persons that allow themselves to be duped by them, willingly......................................I see dear CON-klin is up to his old tricks again. How dare this ingrate foreigner criticize our country he was never a part of. He should be glad that the Iroquois and other native Americans helped his colonial ancestors fight the British. I don't see him recognizing them as instrumental in helping the British colonialist gain their independence from the British. American history is made up of myths that you all take as fact. Strange, don't you think?In case he forgot, the King was the one who instructed Judd to write the letter; as he was the boss and not Judd. Typically, it's you and your American-mentality that makes it a racial issue. Many of us are well aware of our history and not need your racist spin. Don't hate us because we're beautiful! LOL... Silly boy!Ultracrepidarian critic, CONklin, forgets the country was lead by the Hawaiian King who hired people to ultimately do his bidding for the good of the country and its people.Sorry Ponosize, I didn't log you out before I wrote. To continue with CON-klin's perfidious and racist remarks, he declared war against Hawaii nationals, particularly the kanaka maoli, because he supports the U.S. belligerent occupation of Hawai'i. He has made references before that Richards was responsible for Hawai'i 's recognition as an independent nation. The fact was the King, his boss, instructed him to accompany the Minister Ha'alilio to accomplish this. When U.S. Americans thought he was the minister, he corrected them and told them he was just the secretary for Ha'alilio. They were amazed that the "nigger" was his boss. The King was aware that would happen and that is why Richards went along. Hawaiians weren't stupid. We knew of the racist attitude of the west and employed whites to buffer that racist attitude. Smart, eh? The rule of law deems Hawaii as a recognized nation and that is what we are celebrating. This is something CONklin and the U.S. cannot take away.
Read more…