Letters | 6-5-15

Hawaiian school graduation uplifting

I was honored to attend the recent Ka Aha Puka Kula graduation ceremonies on May 29 for Ke Kula O Ehunuikaimalino, Kona’s Hawaiian Immersion School. The event took place at King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel’s luau grounds, adjacent to Ahuena Heiau, a renown sacred place, of our royalty.

After the pu, each graduate walked in individually, while reciting their mookuauhau (geneology). The whole ceremony was done in our Hawaiian language. Their guest speaker, Hawane shared, in Hawaiian, the connection of our native peoples to the land, sea and sky, as well as all elements. “… we are honoring the sacred process of learning from our language, from our waters, from our lands, from our ocean, from our mountains. Into the incredible expanse we go.”

Kumu Ilikea shared many aspects of trust, respect and love. The importance of keeping relationships, as “these relationships will help you through the next portion of your life.” The graduates danced hula, sang and shared stories. Then, each student was honored individually, as their parents came on stage to dress them with their lei hulu (feather lei), kihe (ceremonial wrap) and their lei poo (head lei). Students made their own adornment, as part of their senior kuleana. After all were dressed, they proudly shared a touching Oli Mahalo. A milestone in their lives, to help prepare them for all what is yet to come.

This graduation represented a culmination of 13 years, for each of these graduates and their families, in commitment of keeping our native language and culture alive. In the history of Hawaii, there was a time when our native tongue was prohibited to be spoken in our schools, and being Hawaiian was looked upon as “less than.” At this time, there is a beaming light of hope, as I observed so many who are speaking the language of our beloved Hawaii, and proud to do so.

Mahalo Ke Akua for each of our graduates of Ke Kula O Ehunukaimalino. I commend each of you for all of your arduous work and strong commitment to share our special Hawaiian heritage of aloha and to be “onipaa” (steadfast) in your pursuit of learning.

Puna Kihoi

Honaunau/Waimea

TMT questions and why did the dolphins disappear?

At the last Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) meeting on Hawaii Island, economist Paul Brewbaker presented a dizzying array of charts and graphs showing the billions of dollars TMT would generate.

Someone asked: What do you consider sacred? He paused. Then he recalled a special place where he used to see spinner dolphins — until, one day, they disappeared.

How much money would an economist sell his mother for?

If Mauna Kea were not here, could we imagine it, or build it?

Can we know the right answers before we know the right questions?

Why did the dolphins disappear?

Cory (Martha) Harden

Hilo

Summit occupation appropriate

I consider the occupation of the summit of Mauna Kea to be quite symbolic and appropriate in light of the history of the Hawaiian people. The very few and privileged alii nui families were given title to the largest and most productive portions of the land. The commoners were considered to be worms in the dust and were almost ignored under the Kingdom of Hawaii land distribution in 1848. So now the makaainana (the commoners) have taken the high ground, and can look down upon the ruinous over-development wrought by their greedy former chiefs. Auwe!

Richard Swann

Captain Cook