Ke Alahou, Volume I, Number 2, 1 Kekemapa 1979 — MANA AND THE SEED An Interview with kristin Zambucka [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

MANA AND THE SEED An Interview with kristin Zambucka

"Mana is the life force itjSe!f emanating from a great universal source. ,f Mana is also the nameof the publishing company-belonging "to Kristin Zambucka and Polimaikalani Kawananakoa. It was ēstablished in Honolulu in 1976. Zambucka's work here in the islands is a continuation of her work begun in her homeland of New Zealand, there she began painting portraits of the Maori people. Mana Publishing Companv had released three books here in the islands and they are Princess Kaiulani. The High Chiefess Ruth Keelikolani and Ano'ano. In late ]anuary of 1980, Ano'ano will be released as a sofT cover book at $8 50. There has been ljttle publicity about this book except by word of\tiouth, andit is difficult to find at book stores. It is a unique art book full of her paintings and a philosophical text about ! our people. At first sight it may appear to be a child's hopk, but it is not. Jt's a book meant for everyone written with in mind so a child could read and get "a glimpse of understanding. M It is an art book with a message. "The saddrst feature of this conflict between the Hawaiians and Ihe missionaries. was that the Bible contained so many glimpses of similar teachings . sowing and reaping had long been a code for the Hawanans. Of many symbols used by the kahunas to veil their teachings. such as the Tree of Life" and the 'Vine:" the "Seed" was the one most widely used. 5»o the Hawaiians took the Christian God and graduaily during the last 158 years their beliefs have eome "fuil circle " The mysteries of life- were the sam6 then as they are now ... and human pain still seems without purpose . . but insight provides hope. I offer this volume as my own tribute." The book begins with people questioning their elders as to the meaning of life and it proceeds on as the elders try to explain things as best as they could. Their answers are so universal that one ean see the philosophies of other eultures involved. Yet» Kristin says it was by u sheer coincidence M for she has never studied oth°r philosophies. She saw the answers of the elders as the steps in lifeV The dictum of the elders is to look inward for the answers instead ofpresenting a display of falseness to their quest for the meaning of life. Kristin hopes to continue her work with a forthcoming pubUcation entitled "The Eeho," Again it is her way of offering to our people and those who live here, an anchorstone of hope and guidance, but without any answers for she knows well that we are the ones who must find and give the answers. u Loog will you wa&der in a wtideroess of conf usk>rt and distress until you eome home,.. to t hifber coxtsctoutness. Theoki one« wouW tooo \orxg for sleep..