Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 9, Number 10, 1 ʻOkakopa 1992 — E Kaho'olawe E Ho'omālamalama Hou Ana Ka Mauli Ola Kohemālamalama [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

E Kaho'olawe E Ho'omālamalama Hou Ana Ka Mauli Ola Kohemālamalama

by A. Frenchy DeSoto Trustee-at-large

It is August 20, 1992, 5 a.m. Ma'alaea, Maui. The boat, Pualele, eaptained by Bobby Luuwai, waits at the dock to carry its passengers and cargo to Hakioawa, Kaho'olawe. Faces and eyes filled with anticipation, firm but gentle hands tell the story of commitment and

conviction, creating bonds that should never be severed. We wave "A hui hou" to those on shore as we leave. Hakioawa is sighted. Joy fills the air as we are greeted by others already on shore. We disembark the Pualele and are helped to the shore. Many hugs and kisses weleome us. We stake out our campsites, sharing again the hustle of the preparations, with conviction and purpose. Embracing Ulu Garmon, Ka'iana Haili, Hokulani Holt Padilla and others, no words need be spoken; we know. Night descends and sounds of the oeean soothe my restless soul as sleep escapes me. Mahalo ke Akua. It is Friday, August 21, 5 a.m. People are at the shore, clapping and chanting " E ala e, ka lā i ka hik-

ina, i ka moana, ka moana hohonu, pi'i i ka lewa, ka lewa nu'u, i ka hikina aia ka lā, e ala e" (Arise, the sun in the east, over the oeean, the deep oeean, ascend the heavens, the high heavens, in the east, there is the sun, arise) in unison. As I join them, the sun slowly peeps over Haleakalā in all its radianee; it bursts over and I weep. Amid loud cheering and tears of joy, I experience a profound sense of recognition of na kUpuna (elders, ancestors), ka lā (the sun). We make our way back to base eamp for breakfast and prepare for the arrival of the canoes. The sound of the pQ is heard; the canoes are sighted ! Everyone drops whatever they are doing to rush to the shore. The Oli Kūhohonu O Kaho'olawe is chanted as the canoes approach in a re-enactment of kahiko (ancient) time. The men and women paddlers are greeted with exuberant cheers of weleome, chicken-skin! The chant continues until all canoes and paddlers are on shore, warriors all! He pono! (It is a good thing!) Back to the kitchen to talk story, laugh and share with old and new friends as we finish breakfast. We are told that the Army helicopters bringing in our statewide

kūpuna from Kahului will eome to examine the landing sites. I thank the ancients for the rain that eame to

settle the dust. Mahalo Lt. Verne Young for your cooperation. The last boat arrives with kupuna, guests, and ukana. It is now 12 noon, Friday. The kai (oeean) is paiāha'a (surging) and in a kolohe (rascally) mood. As the unloading takes plaee, I pray to my

'aumākua and the wind that brushes my face tells me that they have heard. Mahalo. Kohemālamalama is filled with the promise of life— 200-plus people are on shore. Lines are formed from the water to the high side of the shore, and all help pass precious cargo from hand to hand. Familiar faces are helped through the shorebreak. Young and old greet eaeh other, kāko'o (helpers) run to the aid of kUpuna with towels and helping hands. We weleome the 'Alaka'i pili 'uhane 'Ilikini, who quickly join the line to kokua (assist). These men are the spiritual leaders of their people, I am told, and their presence was one of full support. We appreciated the presenee of Edward Benedict, nation of Mohawk, New York; David

Martine, nation of Navajo, New Mexico; Galen Drapeau, nation of Dakota, South Dakota; and John Stokes of New Mexico. Mahalo piha! (Many thanks!) Everyone is settied and the group begins to gravitate to the amphitheater for orientation, food, hot coffee and tea. Work assignments are given. Chants are practiced in preparation for Saturday. Ana Kon and her crew prepare the beach for Saturday's ceremonies. Remarkable girl, this Ana. Palikapu Dedman leads the kitchen crew from Ka'u in preparing food all through the night for the imu. Ka'iana Haili and Luana Busby gather their kāko'o for final instructions. Dan Holmes' group gets to work on fine-tuning the water system. Preparations continue through the night. Dr. Fred Dodge scurries

throughout the area, mending kuku pokes and the like. It is 4 a.m. Saturday, August 22.

The pu (eoneh) sounds. People are stirring and preparing to hi'uwai (water purification ritual) at the beach. After bathing at the kahakai, we line the beach facing Haleakalā and the chant calling ka lā begins anew. Kupuna, mākua, and 'opio (elders, parents and youth) stand shculder to shoulder clapping and chanting, oblivious to their individual political or religious orientations. We are one, practicing a small but vital part of our culture. Magic fills the air; love and respect for eaeh other are the catalyst and the mana for collective focus, pur-

pose and achievement. A chant to the elements is given by Keala Kanaka'ole. His father, Parley, leads us in prayer and places a kapu (restriction) on all of us. The kapu is to set a behavior pattern or discipline of caring and respect. Many more hugs and kisses are exchanged as we make our way back up the beach. We prepare for the day's ceremonies. Helicopters arrive, bringing kupuna and invited guests. Kāko'o run to assist. Everyone is taken to the amphitheater. Individuals who will participate in the ceremonies are escorted to the oeean to hi'uwai, and are returned to dress and prepare for the formal ceremonies. My eyes seek out the Moloka'i kUpuna. Visions of earlier times bring me to my knees, and we hold

eaeh other and cry, unashamed, unrestrained. I see John Dominis Holt, Ann Ritte, Clara Ku,

Sherman Napoleon, Aunty Lani, Aunty Minerva, Mae Helm, Healani Doane and many, many more. Some are barely ambulatory, bringing with them the last vestiges of their mana (spiritual essence) and their love. (Oh God, why must there be so mueh pain? The struggle is long and hard and time goes too fast!) I embrace Walter Ritte with joy, as I did Glenn Davis, Joyce Kainoa, Richard Sawyer, Boogie Kalama and others who paid the price for their daring in earlier times. My heart overflows with love for their commitment and

unselfish service. A wave of emotion overwhelms me, and I retire to my campsite to dress and prepare for the ceremonies. The eanoe paddlers from Wai'anae/Nānākuli eome to escort me to the mua ha'i kupuna. A line has formed below the bluff, and the realization of what will take plaee very soon comes over me like a warm kapa (cloth). Idle chatter hides nervous anxiety. Mahalo Buffalo Keaulana, Kipi Lopes, Didi Kaeo, Earl Bungo, Bryan Keaulana and Melvin Pu'u. At the bottom of the cliff, Keola Lake and Franklin Pao chant to eall us to focus on what we were there for.

Up the side of the bluff we go and are seated, waiting to take our plaee on "Kahualele", the name given to the mua ha'i kUpuna. What a magnificent structure, built in three weeks, under the supervision of Kaua'i's Makanani! He pono! Unele Tommy Kaulukukui is received on the mua first with a genealogy chant, as is everyone who will sit with him on the mua. I am filled with humility and honor for my ancestors, my children and grandchildren, when Pua Kanahele chanted my genealogy. Mahalo continued on page 22

■*? 1 ^ 1 ? ] o i 4; ! ^

Canoes approach Kaho'olawe.

Trustee DeSoto

Pua. He ho'ohanohano nui ia. (It is an honor.) Kaho'olawe's mo'o Lono (Makanani, Lopaka, Craig, Keoni) service the mua. Parley Kanaka'ole performs the awa rituals with Punahele Lerma as his kāko'o. Kema Kanaka'ole, who prepared the ritual imu without matches, serves the white i'a (fish) and kō (sugarcane) with his brother, Keala. With ka lā at its highest, our ancestors and our gods smile on us with a slight cloud cover while a gentle breeze blesses us as we sit in ritual for two and a half hours. He pono!

The oeean and the kai become reverently ealm as they wash the shore, as if to want to help prepare for Kohemālamalama's (old name of Kaho'olawe) rebirth, the promise of new life. He pono! The planting of niu (coconut) and 'ulu (breadfruit) follows, done to the procreation chant with mueh enthusiasm and vigor. He pono! Ceremonies completed, we gather at the amphitheater, where nā hālau hula (hula schools) perform, chanting over the din of helicopters that are leaving with invited guests. Magnificent and powerful! He pono! Traditional food is served and the camaraderie extends far into the night. Conversation centers on how massive this event has been and the good feelings of collective aeeomplishment. Acknowledgements flow readily. "It's over, I can't believe we did it!" is heard many

times during the night. As I lie in my hammoek, too charged to sleep, faces of the past smile with approval: Kimo, George, Emma, Mary Lee, Unele Harry, Papa Kalahikiola, Kawaipuna, Judy Napoleon, Aunty Edith, Sam Lono, Homer Hayes. Staring through the kiawe at the stars, I pray for further guidance and count my blessings. It is 3 a.m. and I prepare to leave. Mahalo Scotty Bowman for your kōkua and aloha. I know the canoes and paddlers are to leave at 5 a.m., and I want to join them in prayer for their safe return passage to Makena. Les Kuloloio prepares everyone for leaving; he's so dedicated and has earned every bit of his kupuna status and stature.

Colette Machado gathers kūpuna and assists everyone. Mahalo. Lines again are formed to transport kūpuna and ukana (bags, belongings) out to the Zodiac and then onto the two waiting boats that will take us to Makena Landing. A sadness wells in my heart as we pull away. Kahualele is seen for a long way, a shining symbol of a people's determination and commitment to protect and practice their culture against overwhelming odds. He pono! There are many, many, who should be acknowledged for their contributions and I know there is danger in doing just that, lest you forget someone; however, I will try. E kala mai. (Forgive me).

Mahalo piha (many thanks) to: *The Protea Kaho'olawe 'Ohana: Les, Makanani, Lopaka, Craig, Ka'iana, Palikapu, Kapiliana, Dan, Keoni, Henry, Bert, Jenna, Margo, Paulo, Malia, Rendal, Davianna, Emmett, Ana, Age, Collette and Luana, a me na 'ohana apau. The Edith Kanaka'ole Foundation: Edwin, Pua, Kekuhi, Huihui, Ha'ena Kanahele, Ulunui, Leiola, and Kupa'a Gorman, Nalani Kanaka'ole Zane, Parley Kanaka'ole and sons, Kema and Keala. In charge of kāko'o: Ka'iana Haili and Luana Busby. Performing hālau hula: Hokulani Holt Padilla, Keali'i Reichel, Cliff Ahue, Pua Kanahele, Nalani Kanaka'ole. Plants and decorations for pā hula (hula mound): Elaine Wender and Jodie Mitchel. Tools for planting: Sam Ka'ai, wooden 'o'o, 'umeke wai ola. Chanters: Keola Lake, Kaniela Akaka, Davianna MacGregor, Pua Kanahele, Luana Busby, Sol Kaho'ohalahala, Ulunui Garmon, Ku Kahakalau, Ilei Beniamina, Kika Nohara, Luana 01sten, Kia Fronda, and Franklin Pao. Calvin Hoe, for my ipu wai. U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye, for his aloha and help in securing assistance of the military in transporting our kUpuna and participation. U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka, for his support and aloha. Congressman Neil Abercrombie, for his participation and aloha. Congresswoman Patsy Mink, for her support and aloha. Gov. John D. Waihe'e III, for his

aloha, support and participation. Sen. Malama Solomon, for her support and aloha and participation. Sen. James Aki and Reps. Peter Apo and Henry Peters, for their support and aloha. Reps. Jackie Young and Cynthia Thielen, for their support and aloha and participation. OHA Trustees and staff who supported the vision with love and confidence: mahalo to all. KICC Commissioner Jim Kelly, Hardy Spoehr, Velma Santos, Roger Betts. Aloha Airlines' Honolulu Freight Office Quick Change Crew, Jason Hashimoto, Maui Cargo Office, Mike Makekau, Hilo Office. And finally mahalo to: Maj. Gen. Richardson, Hawai'i National Guard, Capt. Roth, CINPACFLT, and Adm. Larson and Lt. Verne Young, U.S. Navy.