Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 5, Number 1, 1 January 1988 — Gregory Kalahikiola Naliielua Sr. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Gregory Kalahikiola Naliielua Sr.

I Papa Kala 1920-1987

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs on Dec. 12 mourned the passing of its spiritual advisor — Gregory Kalahikiola Naliielua Sr., affectionately known as PapaKala — while attending the OHA-sponsored Indigenous Peoples International administrators' Conference in Kailua-Kona. Papa Kala was a familiar sight at OHA Board meetings and other agency functions. Among his duties was

to deliver the opening and closing pule and to offer advice and counsel on the traditional and spiritual Hawaiian approach to conflict solving or ho'oponopono. Hawaiian was his native language and he frequently addressed the Board eloquently in Hawaiian. A wake was held Dec. 18 at Borthwick Mortuary with Governor John David Waihee 111 delivering the eulogy and Bishop Abraham I. Kealoha conducting the service. Music was furnished by Kekua Fernandez. Scattering of the ashes took plaee on the morning of Dec. 19 at Ku'ilioloa Heiau at Poka'i Bay where Papa Kala served as kahu and where he spent a lot of time. "Papa Kala served as a unifying force for all of us," OHA Board Chairman Moses K. Keale Sr. declared.

He added: "Caliing on his deep knowledge of the old Hawaiian ways, he often helped us to overcome seemingly insurmountable probiems. Papa Kala made us realize that as elected representatives of our people, we are caretakers of a sacred trust whieh must be preserved, maintained and nurtured if we po'e Hawaii are to survive. "We shall miss his wisdom, his gentle humor and his stability. Papa Kala ean never be replaced. His passing leaves us with a deep sense of loss. But his memory will continue to provide guidance and inspiration to those he touched in life." He was born Feb. 1, 1910, in Koloa, Kauai, the son of Solomon and Kina Naliielua. Papa Kala left home at the age of 14 to begin a !ong career as a seaman. An expert on Hawaiian culture and widely respected in this field, Papa Kala freely shared his knowledge with anyone who expressed a genuine interest in things Hawaiian. The most recent sharing of his culture was durinq the IPI conference.

When OHA began operations in 1980, he heeame kahu or spiritual leader to the agency and remained as a beloved and venerated kupuna whose ealm and thoughtful advice frequently led to the resolution of heated and emotional conflicts. Papa Kala, who resided with his family in Nanakuli, leaves his wife, Frances; three sons, Gregory K. Jr., Henry K. and Anthony K.; two daughters, Mrs. Hiyoichi (Cecilia K.) Abe and Mrs. Robert (Theresa K.) Liftee; six grandchildren, six great-grandchildren; andbrother, Newyear Keawe. He was a member of the Waianae Coast Culture and Art Society ine., Nanaikapono Hawaiian Civic Club, Pokai Bay Horseshoe Club, Ma'alea Horseshoe Club and the Kahuna Kuni'o.

Gregory Kalahikiola Naliielua Sr., affectionately known as Papa Kala, is shown in one of his most recent photos Dec. 7 at Pu'uhonua o Honaunau in Kona. Here he picked up a poi pounder and explained how it was used, very happily sharing his knowiedge of Hawaiian culture with those participating in the lndigenous Peoples lnternational Administrators' Conference Dec. 7-11.Hepassedaway Dec. 12. Papa Kala was a regular participant at cultural activities of the Waianae Coast Cultural and Art Society ine., explaining the poi pounder and demonstrating its use.

6 O JC a e 0) o <0 O o 5 to o e o * ee k». -Q 00

Tom DeAguiar, Pu'uhonua o Honaunau employee, listens to Papa Kala as he talks about the poi pounder and how it is used. Papa Kala was an active participant at the lndigenous Peoples lnternational Administrators' Conference, sharing his knowledge of Hawaiian culture with all the delegates, until his death Dec. 12 at the conference.

Danny Rose of the Australian Department of Aboriginal Affairs leans down to pull kelpout of large tank at the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii during one of the IPI outings. Within the tank are trout being grown in an experiment using cold, deep-sea water very rich in nutrients pumped in from the oeean off the Kona coast. OHA Oahu Trustee Clarence F. T. Ching is to Rose's immediate right.