Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 25, Number 12, 1 December 2008 — Aloha ʻĀina [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Aloha ʻĀina

Abelief at the core of Hawaiian existence is their relationship to the land, the 'āina. Traditions tell us the 'āina, Hawai'i, was created from the union of Papa and Wākea, "earth mother" and "sky father," and the first mortal was Wākea's son, Hāloa, from whom all Hawaiians have descended. Our kūpuna taught us that everything in the universe possesses a life force called mana. And that the mana of the 'āina provides life to kanaka maoli, through kalo, crops and foliage that sprout from the 'āina, the fresh water that flows through it and the pure oxygen produced by its foliage. And history tells us that our ancestors, eaeh day, experienced, witnessed and appreciated

the gifts of Papa and Wākea. Daily prayers in the halemua were filled with appreciation for all gifts in the Hawaiian universe. In his book Kū Kanaka, George Kanahele explains, "the idea that the 'āina is sacred is a powerful belief that persists among contemporary Hawaiians." The eonneehon to their birthplaee strengthened the sense of belonging within kanaka maoli. In old Hawai'i, this feeling was enhanced by being surrounded by blood relatives in eommunities. Families became part of the history and productivity of that birthplace. Family accomplishments were made possible by their environment, the oeean, streams, mountains and land where they lived. Families wove the physieal characteristics and virtues of their birthplace into family genealogies. The connectedness to the land, a "sense of plaee," is

an important component of the Hawaiian psychological well-be-ing. This eonneehon is expressed frequently in song, by the words "ku'u one hānau" (the sands of my birth) or "one hānau o ke kūpuna" (homeland of the ancestors). Until recently, upon meeting someone new, Hawaiians immediately asked about birthplaces and relatives in the process of identifying the newcomer. This is an aeknowledgement of ones connection to the 'āina. Kanaka maoli embrace the 'āina and the kuleana to protect it. Kanaka maoli eonhnue to exhibit eoneein for preserving the beauty of the 'āina and for the honored and sacred sites. Examples of aloha 'āina and enduring stewardship are demonstrated by the care that Dr. Chuck Burrows and the Kailua Hawaiian Civic Club provide for Ulupō heiau in Kailua. Hālau i Ka Wēkiu, the Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce and the Uluhaimalama Cemetery Association provide care and

watch over Uluhaimalama, the Royal Garden. An example of youthful kuleana, is seen in students of Farrington High School's Hawaiian Academy, Hālau Kupa Hawai'i, who provide manpower for rebuilding the hale pili for the Bishop Museum. And true to the tradition of aloha 'āina, these examples demonstrate the longtenn commitment of kuleana. Our ancestors beam with pride upon these individuals and organizations that take care of the 'āina. Today, the history and beauty of our 'āina are constantly ehallenged. It is heart wrenching to visit historic sites and to see how man has marred, scarred or obliterated them. Of course, change is expected. However, losses of speeial places appear to be escalating without challenge, in spite of laws to protect them. Communities are littered with old furniture, abandoned cars and 'ōpala. Huge and ugly grey, blue and green rubbish bins now litter roadsides and block front entrances to homes

even in the best neighborhoods. More and more huge hotels and apartment buildings line 0'ahu's waterfront, obscuring and cheating us of beautiful vistas of the oeean and shores that belong to us all. Fonnerly, quiet valleys and towns on the kona side of O'ahu are now subjected to the rumbling, roaring, whining and screaming noises of airplane engines directly overhead, at all hours of the day and night, as airlines save fuel and money by flying and taking off at lower altitudes. Teaching our keiki to accept kuleana, be dihgent with "aloha 'āina" and to take pride in the kauhale and 'āina is critical. But is it possible when adults, businesses and government tum blind eyes and deaf ears to problems? The lyrics to Iz's song Hawai'i '78, speak volumes to irreparable losses to Hawai'i. Although it is not her fault, Hawai'i is fast losing her charms and unique beauty to tasteless developments. And it is happening on our watch! E3

MO'OLELO - H ISTŪRY

By Claire Ku'uleilani Hughes, Dr. PH„ R.D.