Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 00, Number 1, 1 June 1982 — CULTURAL DRAFT PLAN [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

CULTURAL DRAFT PLAN

HE KANIKAU, HE ALOHA KEIA This is a Dirge an Expression of Affection In the olden days sorrow and grief were expressions our forefathers believed were necessary and good. People gave full approval to being a bit pupule, to be excessive in their emotions. Somehow they realized that the sadness and loss of someone or something precious needed understanding, love and time to heal. Our forefathers would kanikau, wail or lament, expressing their deep and genuine emotions. Sometimes "tempers might flare against death, hostility towards the dead, and a great yearning for the deceased"come upon a person. Some might feel guilt; others agreat sense of loss. But through this process there appears a transition from such extreme grief to an adaptation of loss-acceptance, when there is no longer any tears to cry. And something good usually emerges — perhaps a discovery of unknown love and respect or even a better understanding of what life is all about. Today while being re-awakened with an immense sense of pride in being Hawaiian we are also re-experiencing the great historical weight of hurt and grief for what has been lost. In many ways we are going through a process of grief like a great kanikau or lament. There is a loud cry of sadness and anger amongst many in our community, especially among the young. There is a sadness for a loss sense of not belonging to the land, 'aina or identifying with one's own culture. In a world of hurt and anger, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs has launched a plan, a culture plan that seeks to be a nurturing and healing force. "Ah, but you say the OHA plan is only palapala. It is only a plan." Ae, yes. There are no promises, but it does offer possibilities, challenges, and visions of what might be. Through this plan we as Hawaiians ean state clearly what is important to us about our culture. Some issues should be readily recognized and others new. The OHA cultural plan looks at eight areas: Traditional land use, historic preservation, performing and visual arts, lan- . guage and literature, sports and celebrations, healing arts, religion and ceremony, and government and private agencies. Five trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs served on the standing committee and were supported by an Advisory Committee, whose members were: Frank Hewett, John Dominis Holt, Rocky Jensen, Dr. Pauline King, (eoniinueā on Page 3 )

Cultural Draft Plan (eoniinueā from Page 1) Kunani Nihipali, and Kawehi Ryder. There were also ten " alaka'i" groups whose members arefrom a wide range of sectors in our community, looked at the differentsubjects. There were many innovative recommendations for the various areas such as: re-establishing special zones for traditional Hawaiian use, planting, harvesting, gathering, fishing and hunting, from the mountain to the sea; tax credits for private landowners who preserve and restore historic and culturally significant areas; setting up of a "guardian" or konohiki for taking care and providing information about the areas; the building of haiau centers, a plaee to go and be Hawaiian to promote thearts; support for makahiki games; and a need for input in the appointment of members to boards, commissions, committees and councils whieh influence Hawaiian culture. The plan is open for many people of different points of view to use, in a proper way. This plan is not an end in itself. It is onesmallstep. Itistruly"DraftOne."TheOffice of Hawaiian Affairs is saying, "This is what we heard from you, Hawaiians." Take the plan, work on it, help shape it. Help make it a reality.