Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 38, Number 12, 1 Kekemapa 2021 — Hau'oli Makahiki Hou! Aloha Kalikimaka! [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Hau'oli Makahiki Hou! Aloha Kalikimaka!

Long before Christmas eame to Hawai'i, we had our own winter holiday - Makahiki. This was a roughly four-month period of time characterized by peaee and plenty, relaxation and games, and by harvest. Warfare was suspended during Makahiki. All islands honored the god Lono who reigned over a domain of fertility, agriculture, and peaee. On a spiritual level, Makahiki also served as a period of reflec-

tion, recognition, and pride. It wasn't until 1856 that Alexander Liholiho (King Kamehameha IV) declared December 25 to be a kingdom day of Thanksgiving. In 1858, Santa Claus made his first appearance in Hawai'i bringing makana to keiki at Washington Plaee (now the governor's residence). Pictured helow is Mae Poepoe of Ho'olehua preparing fish from the bountiful waters of Moloka'i - an example of the blessings enjoyed by the people of Moloka'i. How blessed we are in Hawai'i! Happy Holidays Everyone!

"Kalaupapa Month" January 2022 As the Moloka'i Dispatch reported on June 23, 2021, January is now designated by the state as "Kalaupapa Month." The bill was championed by Ka 'Ohana O Kalaupapa, the organization of remaining residents, descendants and supporters. "Ka 'Ohana hopes that teachers will include Kalaupapa in their classrooms, that church leaders will pay tribute during services and that family members will remember their ancestors in various ways," said Valerie Monson, the organizations former executive director. Ka 'Ohana promoted January as Kalaupapa Month because it was on Jan. 6, 1866, that the first 12 people arrived at Kalaupapa, having been diagnosed with leprosy. These were the first of about

8,000 Hawaiians who were taken from their families and forced into isolation. The inhahitants of Kalaupapa, at the time, showed kindness and compassion to those banished to the peninsula. I visited Kalawao Park, along wkh friends, to view the story boards commemorating Kalaupapa's history. Sadly, the mo'olelo is no longer legible due to the elements. After a focused effort to repair the story boards, I am pleased to report that DNLR

has assured us the restoration of the boards will be done by January 2022! Please keep an eye out on the progress of the restoration, as I will, to ensure this important history is restored to life for all to read at Kalawao Park. Alapai Hanapi, 'Ohana Lands and Native Hawaiian Rights Activist and Sculptor

I have always been in awe of Moloka'i Native Rights activist Alapai Hanapi's powerful sculptural images. The stone carving pictured above is of Hina, Mother of Moloka'i, with her 'umeke (gourd) holding the winds that protect our land. Hanapi and his wife, Mililani, have been in the courts for decades asserting their rights as "Native Hawaiian artists and cultural practitioners who work, live, and reside on the ancestral family kuleana within the ahupua'a of 'Aha'ino on the island of Moloka'i." Hanapi also maintains his rights to practice stating "for generations [his] family and...ancestors have practiced traditional Native Hawaiian religious, gathering, and sustenanee activities in and around the fishponds" adjacent to his lands. I stand in awe of the incredible perseverance of our brothers and sisters who continue to fight for 'ohana lands and against the dislocation of Hawaiians from their lands. ■

Luana Alapa Trustee, Moloka'i and Lāna'i