Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 32, Number 7, 1 Iulai 2015 — The legacy of Kamehameha [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

The legacy of Kamehameha

As we recently paused to remember Kamehameha, my attention turned to some

# %key issues of our day needing debate, thoughtful discussion and resolution. The issues of nation building, blood quantum, the Thirty MeterTelescope, DOI's proposed rulemaking effort, sea level rise, bread and butter opportunities for a segment of our populahon who are struggling to make ends meet, the inequities as a lāhui

we eonhnue to confront in education, housing and ineome in 21 st century America. Where would Kamehameha stand on all of these issues? That was the question that eame to my mind. For me, the answer comes from a mo'olelo bom out of the Battle of Kepaniwai in 'īao Valley in 1790. Kamehameha was speaking: "Imua e nā pōki'i a inu ika wai 'awa'awa, 'a'ole hope e ho'i aku." "Forward my brothers, and drink of the bitter waters, there is no retreat." Kamehameha did not look back. He was a leader, inspired and driven to unify our islands torn apart for centuries by conllict. He achieved what others had dreamt of doing but was not able to accomplish. Kamehameha brought peaee and stability to our island home. Is that not what great leaders do? Is that not what we expect of those who lead in a democracy? Bring people with differing doctrines and competing ideas together for the eommon good. Yes, Kamehameha did what he had to do using muscle. His was a war to end all wars. Thus he provided an alanui for change for our people. He opened up a pathway for stability and peaee. Today,

thankfully we live under the rule of law and are able to pursue "life, liberty and happiness." In 1978, I spent a

year working as a Park Ranger at Pu'ukoholā Heiau National Historic Site, telling the many that eame through our doors our Founding Ali'i's story. I spent many nights sitting on the platform of Pu'ukoholā, often chewing on blades of fountain grass under the light of the moon lookina down on

Mailekini Heiau, Hale O Ka Puni Heiau and Pelekane dreaming, imagining what the plaee was like in days of yore when it teemed with life; when Kamehameha held eouneil within the walls of this edifice he was told to reconstruct by Kapoukahi to talk about the great issues of his time with his Council of Chiefs: John Young and Isaac Davis. The primary one being nation building. I spent time imagining Keouakuahu'ula coming into Kawaihae Bay with his entourage that fateful day in 1791 after purifying himself at Luahinewai. I would spend time imagining Kamehameha surfing offshore at Puaka'ilima. I would spend time thinking about all the battles he fought to bring unity to our pae ' āina ; Moku'ohai, Kepuwaha'ula'ula, Kepaniwai, Nu'uanu. I would marvel at this great man and his accomplishments. And as I would leave my post for home at pau hana time, I would aeknowledge his mana and his legacy by saying He Inoa no Kamehameha. Kamehameha's name, more than 100 years later, lives on forever in the hearts and minds of our people. Imua Kamehameha! ■

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Rūbert K. Lindsey, Jr. Chair, Trustee, Hawai'i