Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 8, Number 11, 1 Nowemapa 1991 — Puukohola ceremony meant to heal, unite [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Puukohola ceremony meant to heal, unite

by Deborah L. Ward Editor, Ka Wai Ola O OHA The deeds of the past — will they always direct our future? Or ean a people overcome centuries, of division and unite to build a more harmonious, positive and promising future? With the belief that a hurtful legacy from Hawaii's past ean be healed through forgiveness and reshaped into a challenge for the future, a remarkable ceremony took plaee this summer. The Na Aikane O Pu'ukohola Heiau (Friends of Pu'ukohola Heiau), in cooperation with the Nahonal Historic Site and Hawaiian organizations, presented on Aug. 17 a ceremony to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the famous war temple of Kamehameha at Kawaihae, Hawai'i.

Under the blaze of the summer sun, over 750 invited guests and members of the public attended the "Ho'oku'ikahi: Unification" ceremony that reenacted the original dedication of Kamehameha's Pu'ukohola Heiau 200 years ago. On the advice of his counselors, Kamehameha built this massive stone temple overlooking the bay at Kawaihae to honor his war god, Kukailimoku. Building the temple was to ensure consolidation of his power over the island chiefs of Hawai'i. Yet there was one significant change to the original story in the summer re-enactment. In 1791 Kamehameha invited his cousin, High Chief Keoua Ku'ahu'ula of Ka'u, to attend the dedication. Though Keoua knew the reason for the invitation, nevertheless he attended. There he

and members of his entourage, were killed by Kamehameha and offered as human sacrifice to the god. This significant action set the course of Hawaiian history for centuries to eome. In 1991, however, Chief Keoua (portrayed by a descendant, Keoua Gora), and his royal court were instead welcomed with ceremonies of eoneiliahon and unification.

Despite the heat of the cloudless sky and the crowds of camera-toting tourists in tank tops and slippers, the three-hour long afternoon ceremony at Ho'oku'ikahi took plaee in relative dignity. Dressed in ancient style as priests, chanters, dancers, chiefs ^nd warriors, Hawaiians from Kohala, Ka'u and other islands eame together with prayers of purification, genealogical chants for the high chiefs, and exchanges of gifts. Particularly inspiring was the arrival and presence of, at a distance, ke aloali'i (the royal courts) of Kamehameha and Keoua, dressed in feathered capes, helmets and traditional malos prepared for the occasion.

They were accompanied by the impressive sight of na koa, a company of warriors in ti-leaf capes and bearing pololu (battle pikes). The warriors stood at attention during the ceremony and at times chanted praises to the two chiefs. Prayers, chants and ho'okupu (gifts) were offered by representatives of Hawaiian organizations including Hawaiian civic clubs, royal societies, •'ohana groups and trustees of the Kamehameha Schools/Bishop Estate. Also offering gifts and chants were five delegations from Aotearoa (New Zealand), Samoa, and Rapanui

(Easter Island). Contributions and other support were provided by numerous individuals and organizations including the State of Hawai'i, the National Park Service, major Kona coast and Kohala hotels and Big Island corporations, the Polynesian Voyaging Society, and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

What was the significance of this ceremony, 200 years after the deeds were done? To the Na Aikane O Pu'ukohola Heiau and other participants this was an occasion to forgive the wrongs, the pain and the suffering of 200 years ago and to resolve the lingering bitterness and resentment on the part of some descendants of slain Ka'u ancestors. Writer and scholar Fred Kalani Meineeke explained, ". . . With the death and sacrifice of Keoua Ku'ahu'ula and his royal company . . . Ka'u suffered a devastating and humiliating defeat and went into decline for the past 200 years." Meineeke notes that both Keoua and Kamehameha were reared in Ka'u in the same royal court and were both descended from the ruling chiefs of ancient Hawai'i, as are their descendants today.

"Then as now, we are all of one family, a shared heritage, a shared legacy," he said. On a broader level, this may bring to ail Hawaiians the opportunity to begin healing the unresolved legacies of the past, and as Meineeke puts it, "to unite as descendants of those who were here then, and to build a more harmonious positive and promising future together."

Chanters take their places below the heiau (above).

Dancers pertorm a spear dance.

Ho'okupu were placed on the iele (altar), center.

Offerings in carved 'umeke in mesh carriers (koko).