Let the aina speak to you

If you aloha the aina, the aina will aloha you. That is the motive of the protectors of the Mauna Kea, or Mauna A Wakea. As a Native Hawaiian, with genealogy connected to voyagers of thousands of years past, there is kuleana, responsibility, to honor our kupuna, follow their paths, preserve what is sacred, and keep the torch burning for the next generations. It is also important to have access to go to those places of worship. That is why the protectors stand so firmly, to keep our lands sacred. When you are in that presence of sacred, just listen.

A few weeks ago, Gov. David Ige mentioned that “UH were not very good stewards of the land (at Mauna Kea),” they did not follow through on stated objectives. Yet, he permits them to continue. There is also a court case pending at the Supreme Court, regarding permission for the “use of conservation lands.” And yet, he permits construction?

I have discussed with the kupuna and they too question the lack of transparency. How was this permission granted to build on conservation and sacred lands? It would help bring clarity for us all to understand if there was, made available, the timeline of events from the beginning, the dates of meetings, who was involved, their interests and the outcomes. Ige mentions that it would be good to have forums for different perspectives to find common ground. That timeline would be an educational tool to help bring more clarity to this movement. You need to do it right from the beginning.

As most indigenous peoples, Native Hawaiians are deeply connected to the aina through prayer. To be in Kapu Aloha, is being surrounded with the spirit of aloha, to malama the aina. I want to mention two incidents that have recently taken place dealing with religious rights. One of the protectors was in prayer walking down the Mauna, when a vehicle driven by workers’ mirror “side swiped” protector Mikey, injuring him. The two workers kept driving, not rendering aid or checking on his condition. When asked later, they admitted hitting him. Where is the aloha?

As a licensed massage therapist, I saw him a few days after the incident, noting his back, shoulder and neck injuries. He was bruised, in deep pain and continues to deal with this unfortunate incident.

Recently, two protectors were stopped en route from their prayer offerings, and were told by guards they couldn’t go at that time. Yet, the astronomers and workers continue to go without restriction.

In our culture, we have the process of hooponoono, a method of mediation for all parties to come to mutual understanding and forgiveness. When the first 31 protectors went to court, they were given this option. The second 12 arrested were not given that option. Is this discretionary treatment?

To some that sell the word aloha as a commodity, it is connected to conditional intentions with monetary returns. As a native to these beautiful sacred lands, aloha has a deeper meaning. A spiritual meaning that cannot be sold for profit, given unconditionally.

All in all, I applaud the efforts of our peoples of this pae aina o Hawaii for standing up to keep Hawaii sacred. The majestic, unparalleled beauty of Mauna Kea, Mauna A Wakea, continues to call us to come to her aid, to bridge Hawaii’s people. She needs to remain just as she stands. We care for her, as we would our kupuna.

As most indigenous peoples, Native Hawaiians are deeply connected to the aina through prayer. Where are the parameters to our religious rights as natives to this aina, a place of reverence to connect with Ke Akua? To gain a deeper understanding of our quest, please refer to “ The Kumulipo,” the creation chant. Or, “The Queen’s Story,” by Queen Liliuokalani. These are just a few references that may give you a deeper insight, of the depths of our thinking and why we stand for our sacred culture of this unique, the most isolated land mass on this Earth.

For now, just listen. Let the aina speak to you.

Puna Kihoi is a resident of Honaunau/Waimea.

Viewpoint articles are the opinion of the writer and not necessarily the opinion of West Hawaii Today.