Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 4, Number 7, 1 Iulai 1987 — 400 Descendents Dig Deeper into Roots [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

400 Descendents Dig Deeper into Roots

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By Kenny Haina, Editor Ka Wai Ola O OHA It is always an exciting and poignant moment when new families meet eaeh other for the very first time. The second Hewahewa Ohana Reunion June 11-14 proved no exception. Kalani Mailou Castro of Koali in the Hana district of Maui read about the reunion in earlier issues of Ka Wai Ola O OHA and decided to attend. She and her husband, Alfred Castro, and daughter, Geraldine (Jelly) Castro and her two little daughters were among the more than 400 descendants of Hewahewa who turned Ewa's Taylor Farms into a virtual tent city over the fourday Kamehameha Day weekend. The Castros were very elated they elected to attend the reunion because they met ohana members they never knew existed. Kalani also did not know whieh branch of the Hewahewa family tree she was descended from. She was told by ohana genealogist Nani Keopuhiwa that she was of the Aikau-Akalaninau elan of the Hewahewa tree. In another of many surprises, it was learned through discussions with Kalani and Nani that Mary Kuulei Ku Haina, born, raised and educated in Hana, was also from the same Aikau-Akalaninau line through her mother, Mary Kaeo Ku. Little did Haina realize she was a Hewahewa descendant until she took that trip to Ewa with her husband. Haina and Castro had not seen eaeh other for over 25 years. Nani Castro inherited the task of completing the Aikau-Akalanianu branch of the Hewahewa tree. Aecording to Keopuhiwa, many branches have been eompleted but there are still some missing. Hopefully, they ean be finished by the 1990 reunion. Hewahewa was Hawaii's last high priest and a descendant of the ancient order of Pa'ao, a most renowned ancient cult of Hawaii whieh lived during an age in Hawaiian history characterized by political conflict between rivaling chiefs for supremacy over the Hawaiian islands.

A book researched by Waimea Falls Park historian Rudy Mitchell, who is not a Hewahewa but who has worked very closely with the ohana, chronicles the Hewahewa and his history. Entitled, "From God to God, Hawaii's Seven Centuries of Religious Influenee, Pa'ao to Hewahewa, ea. 1000-1837 AD." Mitchell notes in his preface: "This book has a dual purpose. It is an attempt to explain the history of a man, a priest of the highest order of the Hawaiian religion. The book will hopefully also serve as a catalyst for others to express their views of the mysteries of Hawaii's ancient past through its key religious leaders. The teaching of Hawaiian history suffers when too little attention is paid to its religious leaders such as this priest who held the key and influence that opened the door to Christianity in Hawaii. Hewahewa, kahuna nui (high priest) of Hawaii shattered the gods of his fathers and the religion of the Hawaiian people, thus performing the first step necessary for a great people to lose their culture." Mitchefl's accounts of Hewahewa's duties as a kahuna nui for King Kamehameha are deeply depicted in this book. La Ho'o Hui Hou 1987 found Hewahewa descendants coming from all over the state and from the mainland as far as Kansas. Most of the mainland ohana, however, eame from California. A booklet prepared by the reunion committee listing prayers, committees, itinerary, menu schedule and bylaws was issued to every family head registering for the campout. It was a time to know eaeh other, talk story and leam more about their cultural heritage, digging deeper into the roots of the family tree in Hawaiian

history. Nam'i Kama, who served as general chairperson of the reunion, said the ohana felt especially enriched this year in holding its get-together during Ho'olako 1987: The Year of the Hawaiian. The 1984 reunion was held at the Pacific Concrete Rock Quarry in Waimanalo. Kama could not say where the 1990 reunion will be held. The schedule of activities included a ho'olaule'a, singalong, talent show, Hewahewa 01ympics for keikis, kanikapila, memorial service, genealogy and a luau. There was also lots of swimming, surfing and limu pieking. Working with Kama were Nahua Green, vice chairperson; Sheila David, secretary; and James Bolster Jr., treasurer. Those working on the various committees were Kama and Amber Morrison, registration; David, location; Ululani Sang, program; Moana Burch and David, entertainment; Hoakalei Kamau'u, health and welfare; Kalani Kama, public relations and recreation;

Herman Kama and family, kitchen; Kahale Morrison, first aid; Henry Kupahu Jr., special service coordinator; Burch, grievance; Unele Henry Kupahu, sunrise serviee; Hawaiian Food Unlimited, luau; Aunties Malia Craver, Sarah Kawailima and Gladys Kaiu, kupuna consultants. The Hewahewa reunion was an outgrowth of the first Kupahu gathering in June, 1978, at Waimanalo Beach Park. It was an exploratory reunion to find out who was who in the ohana and to see how it has grown in 40 years. It was learned from that reunion that the Kupahu and Kalimapehu families were only a small portion of a greater family tree. New families of the Hewahewa line were found, thus the Hewahewa Ohana Reunion was first held in 1984. "Our ohana is still growing and we are able to meet and leam more about our genealogy whieh ean be passed on to our children and their descendants," eoncludes organizers of the 1987 reunion.

Taylor Farms at Ewa looks like tent city.

Making up for lost time are these Hewahewa descendants from left to right, Nam'i Kama, Mary Kuulei Ku Haina, Nani Castro and Alex Castro.

Aauits keep watch over young swimmers.