Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 6, Number 7, 1 July 1989 — "Hoʻoulu I ka ʻolelo makuahine" [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

"Hoʻoulu I ka ʻolelo makuahine"

Kupuna — bringing to life the "true meaning of

"Hawaiians believe kupuna to be their source of traditional cultural beliefs and practices . . . genealogy . . . child rearing practices, ceremonies, rituals. . . "In contemporary Hawai'i . . . for many families, the kupuna are still the matriarchs and patriarchs of the family units — a position of honor and respect. What appears to be different, however, is the 'conscious' transmittal of cultural beliefs, understandings and practices. . ." — "On Being Kupuna," by Betty Kawohiokalani Jenkins, OHA kupuna team by Deborah Lee Ward Editor, Ka Wai Ola O OHA Hawaiian kupuna ean and must play an increasingly important role in transmitting Hawaiian language, culture and values to their families and community. This was the motivating message behind the second OHA-sponsored 'Aha Kupuna conference held May 26-28 in Honolulu at the Princess Ka'iulani Hotel in Waikiki. The three-day event was themed "Ho'oulu i ka 'olelo makuahine — Let the Mother Tongue Flourish," to encourage participants to speak freely in Hawaiian, whieh many did. Two hundred Hawaiian kupuna (some in their 40s), representing all islands of the state, gathered to share and discuss their knowledge of Hawaiian language, traditions, culture and values. The first full day of the conference, Saturday, began with the traditional opening — the eall to assemble blown on the pu (eoneh shells), pule wehe (prayer) by kupuna Wenonah Kamakawiwo'ole, an oli (chant) aloha and singing of "Hawai'i Ponoi." Welcoming the kupuna, OHA's own kupuna team of Betty Kawohiokalani Jenkins, Maile Lum Ho Vargo, and Ulunuiokamamalu Kanakaole Garmon, stressed the importance of the values of

lokahi (unity and harmony), aloha (a coordination of mind and heart), and 'ohana (the family, source of life for the Hawaiian). Kupuna Mary Waihe'e, mother of Governor John Waihe'e welcomed the kupuna on behalf of her son, and wished them success in sharing their knowledge and wisdom with eaeh other, "the better to enlighten (your) children and grandchildren and bring to life the true meaning of being Hawaiian."

OHA chairman Thomas Kaulukuhui, Sr. told the kupuna that OHA recognizes them as "our source from the past for our Hawai'i tomorrow. We know of your wisdom and your faithful trust in our po'e Hawai'i and in knowing that, we are eomforted." OHA Trustee Rod Burgess summarized for the kupuna the issues that OHA is workingon, in behalf of the Hawaiian people: Hawaiian land claims and reparations for the overthrow of the kingdom; self-determination; needs of Hawaiians

on the homesteads or who are waiting for their homestead lot; preservation of religious and cultural practices; a referendum on a single beneficiary class; registration of all Native Hawaiians, and other matters. Also joining the weleome were: OHA Trustee Manu Kahaiali'i, Rep. Joseph Leong, and Lokomaika'i Snakenberg of the Dept. of Education Hawaiian Studies Program. Mrs. Harriet 0'Sullivan, who recruits kupuna for the DOE's program, talked about the "one hanau," cherished birthplaces of the assembled elders (on arriving, eaeh one had marked their birthplace with a pin on a state map). She told about the significance of the plaee names, what they meant and encouraged her listeners to retrieve from their memory banks the meaning of these places and to write them down. From Hawai'i: Honoka'a (rolling stones bay) and Pahoa (sharp stone or dagger). From O'ahu: Hau'ula (red hibiscus) and Kahuku (projection or point). From Maui: Waikapu (water of the eoneh shell) and Kapalua (arms embracing the sea). She stressed that plaee names are very special and that without their special meanings they mean nothing, and there is nothing to give our mo'opuna. The keynote address was given by OHA Trustee Moses Keale, in Hawaiian. His central point was that perpetuating the Hawaiian language is critical to retaining Hawaiian cultural identity. He charged the listening kupuna with taking an active part in speaking and teaching Hawaiian language, as well as cultural traditions, to their ehildren, grandchildren and community. A highlight of the conference was the showing of a brief video tape featuring the late Edith Kanahaole, talking to her grandchildren. In a simple but loving way, she taught them about the Hawaiian concepts of 'ohana and aloha, the significance of taro, about laulima (working together), and about ho'oponopono (family discussions to build understanding and resolve disagreement).

OHA kupuna Ulu Garmon talked about plaee names in Hawai'i.

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OHA trustees Thomas Kaulukukui (at mike), Manu Kahaiali'i (left), and Rod Burgess (right), join the OHA kupuna team to weleome participants in the 'Aha Kupuna conference.

Hula teacher John Kaimikaua lectured on hula.

Vivian Kamahele taught a class in lauhala weaving.

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