This quarter has been an eye opener and one that's had a greater impact on my view towards my culture. Starting off the quarter with a learning trip to a place where the people of that particular area fought for their rights, not just as Hawaiians but as people who wanted access to water that was able to benefit others, to simply nourish their crops to feed families. The ability to restore things to its natural form is the task we are faced with. The decision in which we have to make, we are the voice that will change everything.
0 Comments
As we were down at ka‘iwakiloumoku Cultural center we too played in traditional makahiki games that were done in earlier Hawaiian times. Going in I knew majority of the games that were going to be played but i didn't know that the art of Lomilomi was a big part of the makahiki season too. learning different style techniques that both me and my partner were fortunate to participate in. The instructor made it very clear that if the person massaging or the one receiving the massage did not feel at good place in that particular moment then they should immediately stop what theyʻre doing and continue on at a later time when they are focused and in the right state of mind. One of the games that I did really take a liking was the game Pūhenehene. the object of the games is to pass the kukui nut down the line, all the while trying to deceive the opposite team of who has the nut. this really showed ones ability to try and trick the other team using different tactics, creating a fun filled activity.
People are brought together during the Celebrations of Makahiki. Makahiki being a time of peace and rest, a time where all warfare and violence were put on pause to Honor the God Lono. All of the maka'ainana as well as the Ali‘i participated in games such as Kōnane, ‘Ulumaika, Hakamoa .etc many of these games were also used in disguise, to help train the Ali‘i for war. Auhau and ho‘okupu were collected during the time of makahiki from each ahupua‘a to be given to the chiefs. offerings that would be presented to the Gods so that they may bring blessings upon the peoples crops for great vegetation
In order for us to be more responsible for our own food productions we have to make it an important priority. The motivation to do so is what is going to push us in the direction to become more sustainable. As of right now we are dependant on other countries and the barge to bring in food that we are able to produce ourselves, but are hesitant to try. Though we can start by informing others, sharing with them our knowledge that can bring us to a more healthier and beneficial life choice towards not just our bodies and the land that we harvest from, along with the waste and pollution that we would be cutting back on.
It started with us chanting our way into the bay and in that moment, we were centered with the ahapua‘a , ready to begin work, ready to learn! The education that was imbedded into us was something that you could only take away at that particular place. something that just the classroom alone could not offer. The work that we did gave me a sense of giving back and of ownership. It is our duty to take care of what is ours and what has been passed down from our kupuna or watch it disappear before our eyes. The time and effort of those who live out there are pushing for not just students but other people of the community as well, to care about the aina that runs beneath our toes and for me that speaks volumes. One particular event that stood out to me was when we were walking along the reef when the tide was low and we had just come across snails that were in their mating season , very early actually according to one of the aunties that because of the global warming and the destructions of eco systems the seasons of everything is being thrown off. so it was important for us to stop and observe being that they mate only once a year. That stuck with me because it reminded me to stop, slow down and appreciate the cycle of all things around us. After experiencing all that we did out on Mokauea I too have changed with the tides. Before aunty Kahea came in to educate us on the importance of our ahapua‘a and Mokauea island itself, my knowledge of Mokauea island was very brief. Mainly the thought of it being a man-made island and the sight from school or from the airplane of the way in I really didn’t pay no mind to that area. It was then that I realized that the connections that we have with everything around us has a greater impact on our lives. She gave us a greater insight as to the big part that we play. Today our surroundings are simply looked at as decoration, never really as something that takes your breath away. through the song of the wind, and the whisper in the trees we don't take the time to understand nature or to listen to it. So how can we expect ourselves and others to change it. for me its important to recognize the impact that nature has on our liv What is a Hawaiian Scientist?
A Hawaiian scientist is someone who takes all that they can learn and what they know and apply it to strengthen our culture. it's someone who tends to our land, takes care of it from the ground up. change is inevitable so it is our duty as Hawaiian scientists to make sure the change that we seek through out the pacific is nothing but great. Mālama- to take care Honua- land, earth, world To me malama honua means to not only take care of our land but to take care of everything that makes up our lahui. It's whats we've built our culture on.To give back and take care of what has taken care of us all of these years,in order to thrive we must continue to be rooted into the very well being of our culture. |