Hui Aloha 'Aina O Ka Lei Maile Ali'i

Hey! It's Monday sermon time! Yesterday, Sunday, was a Makua Valley access. I hadn't been there in a year due to the covid lockdown. Our Ka Lei Aina Alii gangy ...showed up in force, a first time experience for many of them. Good to be within the valley's embrace again. The day was cool and overcast and the water was running! I'd never seen it like that before. So many good things happened yesterday. My head is full and even though I took the usual too many photos, I obviously will always post as much as fb allows. And my heart is full, too, because of the stories people shared and the things I witnessed. Easier for me to just list the things I found interesting, that caught my attention: - seeing the valley again without having to look through a fence - our opening ceremony at the gate so we include Uluwehi Eli, who opted to do beach cleanup with Pono Martin and friends of Lucy Xie whose names were not on the list of those on access - being greeted cordially by our archeologist buddies Dave, Jesse, and Richard, Range Control staff Robert and Kam, EOD guy Charles, Captain Heathon (the head dude). I recall when it was not always like this. And it might be part of a PR sell on their part to be more welcoming, but I think not. Some things can't be faked. And the valley works on them same as it works on us. Outside of their "job" I think they're all pretty good guys. We have learned to treat each other with respect. And honesty. Keeping in mind that our Ka Lei Aina Alii gangy strongly opposes military occupation of our aina, we were all pretty civil and open to the possibilities of building new relationships that can and will one day benefit this aina. -meeting with Kail Penner, friend of Vince Dodge now staying at Kahumana Farm and recent arrival from Australia. She wore a shirt that incorporates the design of the tribe she connected with "down under." - hooking up again with Punahele Kkailimoku Kanikapila, who shared some of his awesome music with us at the Kii Pohaku. He's like the secret weapon who explodes truth with his music and rhymes, but still the most humble dude. A super star who takes time out of his busy life to honor the valley and all of us with his oiai'o. That little grove has become a learning center for us, and a church, too. One day folks will look back and be proud to say they were present at an event that took place there or were invited to perform or present at the Kii Pohaku during an access. - sitting quietly for a meditation exercise led by Makanoe Hufana after flying high with Punahele, and finding ourselves in a quiet introspective state. I hadn't done that before but Vince reminded us that Marco Perez had facilitated a meditation for us once before at Koiahi ahu. -admiring the blue jade blossoms (and the story that went with it) that Trisha Schultz Martin brought with her and placed at different sites in the valley - seeing the water flow where I hadn't seen it before. Water will find a way to reunite with itself in the kai and seeing streams where I hadn't seen them before was very cool. In some areas the water was a foot deep and running alongside the gravel road, accompanying us as we journeyed up into the valley to visit a place called 4546. We weren't able to travel to the top to visit that area (a heiau complex) because we'd have had to cross the stream to do it and that's a no-no because of the danger of UXOs that might have been dislodged in the recent rains and perhaps rolling down stream to cross paths with us. Makes sense. - beautiful wild flowers growing everywhere. Vince said it was kinehi (also called Spanish needle), a medicinal plant used for infections, asthma, a bunch of other illnesses. La'au! Fields of it! The leaves can also be eaten, raw or cooked, and provide protection against a number of other ailments. A bounty! But the whole area is regularly sprayed with roundup, so not good to harvest these wonderful plants, so often called weeds, from here, from beautiful Makua. Awesome to see but never to harvest or benefit from its full potential to heal. Kinda sounds like so many other places. Boo on Monsanto and the military for using it... - the new signs posted in the pavilion. There's useful information there. Partial truths. The occupier's truth. But we can live with it until such time as we can add to it and/or correct it. - ceremony at the Makua ahu and Vince's always interesting history of early accesses into the valley and the creation of the three ahu (Kahanahaiki toward Kaena, Makua in the center, and Koiahi by Ohikilolo) by friends and non-professional rock wall builders. The valley feels so much lighter when we add our good energy and flowers to this space, remembering all those who came before and made similar offerings, and the kupuna who still remain in that aina. I thought of Fred Dodge and Sparky Rodrigues, and remembered Leandra Wai Rodrigues and all the work that had to happen for us to even be there. - our closing circle, which I thought would take 5 minutes but took a half hour because there was so much that each person wanted to share. If people drop tears, I know that their experience in the valley was profound. Everything has to be just right for that to happen. But it also means they'll be back. Makua magic working at the gut level. - and finally, after we said our goodbyes to each other and the valley, our meet up with those who did beach cleanup and who waited for us for potluck lunch at the beach across the street. Great lunch. Kupuna flags in the sand, visiting from Pohukaina. Great talk story sessions happening everywhere and all at once. Meeting new people. Swimming and watching our new mama-to-be in the kai. Yes, we'd like to help with baby's inoa. I was wiped after all that and was the first to head home, lol. Our Ka Lei Aina Alii ohana, in my view, is a kind of manifestation of dissatisfaction with government. I see that Kahala Azuma Mui folks have a similar vibe happening on Maui. It's awesome! Our group, even though informal, extends the work of Hui Aloha Aina o Ka Lei Maile Alii (in terms of education, whenever possible) and Malama Makua (in terms of promoting peace and justice over war and military takeover). We have added Vince Kanai Dodge as (young) kupuna, and invite other like minded folks to join us in doing aina work. Brother, sister, Aunty, Uncle, cousin, keiki--we are an aina-directed family. We work hard. Eat a lot. Do some crazy things. Are open to learning. Willing to partner with others. Push the envelope of oppression whenever we can. Love the aina and kai. Caution ourselves to not look down (to basically ignore trash) when we are passing through an area and cannot, for whatever reason, malama it. Bring and maintain our own tools. Have no structure to speak of, even though folks defer to me because of (my) age. I am NOT the head of the group, rather I keep records and document with photos and stories for historic purposes. I guess I could be considered a kind of historian. Age does that, lol. We remember things. As a group we are bound by ethics of malama aina that extend to all things in it, including kupuna past, people, animals, nature in its fullest beauty. We provide service, first to kupuna and aina, as these are bound together and at this time manifest for us in certain places, like Kahana, Hauula, Kanehekili in Haiku, and now shifting to Westside. We assume there will always be a natural flow to the work (like the flow of water downstream, as Kara noted). We don't know what will come to us or if we'll have time to do it all but we'll have fun figuring out what works for us as a group. Depending on government to do its job is not part of our understanding about how things work. Actually, that doesn't work for most communities. Mahalo to da crew, inside the valley and out. Beachside: Pono, Ulu, Nathan Routt, Alex Jacobson, and several others whose names I didn't get. In the valley: Ekini Lindsey, Lucy, Alex Ozaki Berger, Kenji Cataldo, Kiana Kelai, Kara Mel Lingo, Makanoe, Kahekiliokanalu Puhipau, Rebecca Mattos, Trisha Martin, Sarah Rosenthal, Namakahulili Thrasher, Mel, and Samoana McAngus. You guys rock! And you posed nicely for pics! We missed our Ronnie-girl Huddy, Hideki Kimukai, Emilia Kandagawa, Eleu Nihoa, Ezra Suyat, Nainoa Acasia-Kamakea, Shane Nihoa, and Kapua Medeiros. Next time! No forget next Sunday at Kahana fishpond.

Had a beautiful afternoon with some of our Hui Ka Lei ina Alii ohana. Uluwehi Eli , Eleu Nihoa , Ezra Suyat , Shane Nihoa, Nainoa Acasia-Kamakea , Kiana Kela...i , and my 2 moopuna, Kpaa and Keao got together, at my hale, to build a lele for Uncle Thomas T Shirai Jr and Kawaihapai wahi kapu. Started our day by cutting down the ohe that wanted to come be a part of the lele. Like dancing poles in the wind they called out to us quickly, so we knew exactly which one to pick...we we're very grateful as we had just enough to finish the lele. Kpaa helped measure and everyone took turns handsawing the poles for the frame. After cutting our ohe, we took a quick walk up to the Burmeister overpass to check it out before the rain came. The overpass was built in 1959 for the Burmeister Estate as access was cut off to the estate due to the building of the Likelike Highway. I recommend looking up the history of the place as it has some seriously interesting stories of the family. BTW, the road to here is on our property so, don't try to come up here without invite... you'll meet some Knaka's filled with k, lol. But seriously, come mlama ina with me and I'll take you there. Off to take a nap went the moopuna and back to lele building we went. This is where we seriously have to mahalo Uncle Vince Dodge , who taught us how about a month ago, and to Aunty Lynette Cruz for setting up the workshop. We measured out the area for the base, set up the poles and temporarily held them together with bungees, measured out the cordage, and got to work. Took us a little while to remember how, as only 3 out of the 6 of us attended the workshop, but we got it down and was even able to teach those who didn't get to attend. Hard to work and document, so we set up a time lapse video, well as long as it would go anyway lol, for Aunty Lynette who couldn't be there Ulu, Eleu, Ezra, and Shane did most of the lashing while I made the slats to build the platforms, it was truly Ohana in action. Everyone took turns, everyone did their part, and even though we had a few hiccups here and there, we finally completed our mission. By that time the moopuna woke from the nap and joined us in the closing ceremony. The group was trying to think of a name for the lele when my moopuna started acting kolohe, but everyone was so patient with them it was precious. As the lele got loaded into Eleu's truck, I realized what this lele represents...many Ohana coming together to give love to each other, connecting mana from east to west, north to south, reconnecting us to our kpuna kahiko and to ina, what a beautiful gift. This lele's inoa, that we offer to Kawaihapai and Uncle Tom, is Ka Makana O Ka Pili...The gift of connection. Love you Ohana for coming to my hale and sharing this experience together. Love you, Aunty Lynette for challenging us to apply what we've learned, to teach others, and to document it, haha. To Uncle Vince for sharing your love, knowledge and patience with us..we did it! And to Uncle Tom Shirai, I have never had the privilege of meeting you yet but know that I send you, your Ohana, and your Kpuna my deepest aloha.

Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii sponsored a beach cleanup today at the place called Army Beach in Mokuleia. I think around 40+ people showed up while we were ther...e (I'm sure more came after we left). Uluwehi Eli, on behalf of Tom Shirai, offered opening protocols. Tom always acknowledges his ohana (found everywhere in this aina) and his kuleana for this whole place called Kawaihapai. We respect and support his efforts. Ulu welcomed the group as he would have. I think Tom would have approved. Happy for our Ka Lei Aina Alii gangy who brought their pu. The sound resonated during opening protocols. Rafael Bergstrom welcomed us all on behalf of SCH, and the group then split up and headed in every direction. Our crew noticed the firepits in the sand nearby and began digging up buried charcoal remains, broken beer bottles, pieces of wood (probably from burned palettes), and lots of nails. We were busy. I think it's appropriate to give a shout out to Rebecca Mattos, one of our ohana, whose presence and work ethic have encouraged all of us to look beyond our (formerly) limited scope of aina work to include, as our kuleana, the health and wellness of all aina (our kupuna are there), in all places, and under the kai. After a couple hours of beach cleanup we headed mauka, to Kawaihapai Airfield across the street, to visit Tom's tutu. Ulu had been wearing the lei meant for Tom, but in reality meant for his kupuna. We offered them at the site where his kupuna are buried in the airfield. We won't forget them. Glad the hae Hawaii is still there. It was a good day. Mahalo to our Ka Lei Aina Alii gangy: Pono Martin, Trisha Schultz Martin, Kiana Kelai, Kara Mel Lingo, Ezra Suyat and Zaesha, Shane Nihoa, Reid Fowler, Kahekiliokanalu Puhipau, Ulu, and Becca. Da bomb crew.

It was a celebratory day. Two birthdays (hauoli la hanau Kahekiliokanalu Puhipau and Ezra Suyat) and a baby shower (happy baby, Rebecca Mattos and Kahekili, and... the rest of us, since we're all laying claim to this baby). Looked like tent city when I got there Sunday morning. The gangy camped out and had loads of fun. The area looks more and more like it did when I first started taking students there many years ago. Last year in March, Ulu Beirne said she needed help clearing the brush and trees so she could see the fishpond again from the park side. All she could see was tall grasses and trees. We did the clearing, and now she can see the water, and beyond. There were trails through the bushes leading to the pond when we first started. Totally different now. Yesterday some of us picked up plastic and other man-made trash stuck in the rock walls or lying on the beach. Lots of it. Grass was cut. Invasive trees were cut down and hauled to the green waste site. Huge tree stumps were removed. Those of us who watched Ronnie Huddy at work decided we wanted to be like her. She is our hero. It rained on and off for much of the day. So we took occasional breaks and did a lot of snacking. But at the end of the day the place looked like Tutu's yard, as was our goal. Makanoe Hufana found another pohaku behind the hala trees, a partner in alignment with the one sitting in the coral bed. They have names (Akau, sitting in the coral and Kukui, covered by the hala). I believe they both face north. Seems like the place is revealing itself to us, which means we probably couldn't stop doing this work, even if we wanted to. Sarah Kamano and Joey joined us during cleanup and Sarah sat by the burial area next to and behind the ahu and started clearing weeds (kinehi) growing everywhere. She shared her genealogy and connections to this wahipana. She was compelled and obviously called to do it. Yeah, it's always like that, and more. During lunch we had a long introduction session, since several new folks have joined us recently and I, being my usual nosy self, wanted to know who was at our work table. Actually I wanted to know what particular skills each person had and if those skills could help us move our malama aina work along more smoothly, or extend our effectiveness. Wow! Bunch of heavy hitters (old and new). I was impressed. We can do consultations while we're working or taking a break! But the nature of what we do is based on action (or maybe the better word is practice). A place, wherever it is we find ourselves, should be respected because the iwi of our kupuna are in the aina, sometimes under concrete or buildings. Serving aina is serving them, what might be called cultural practice. So when we leave a place, any place, no matter where we are, it should be better, cleaner, neater, more beautiful, than when we arrived on the scene. I think kupuna expect it, that the land be pleasant to the eyes, that the energy we put out is not the negativity of the person dumping trash. Our kuleana is to fix, if possible. Or sometimes just maintain. The place will tell us what it needs because the kupuna are embedded in the place and it's them talking (mahalo, Mahealani Cypher for reminding me). Kahana is telling us to keep going, cause we're not pau. And after yesterday I'm now wondering if the fishpond restoration (not just maintenance) is why we're really at Kahana. Waiting for something to reveal itself. Great crew yesterday! Mahalo to all the hammahs: Kara Mel Lingo, Kiana Kelai, Mel, Uluwehi Eli, Eleu Nihoa, Shane Nihoa, Ezra, Pono Martin, Ulu Danielland Benjamin Shafer (our awesome hosts), Kahiau Wallace and Lenny, Hideki Kimukai, Reid Fowler, Alex Jacobson, Kenji Cataldo, Alex Ozaki Berger, Kapua Medeiros, Makanoe, Rebecca, Kahekili, Lucy Xie, Asish, Neery, Prakhar, Tessa Bailey and Jarrod, Nathan Routt, Sarah Rosenthal, Ngoc Phan, Sarah K. and Joey, Chelsea Park, and our forever awesome crew chief (who does everything), Ronnie. We missed our Ekini Lindsey, Leiala Cook, Kainoa Azama (who was working a different aina), Namakahulili Thrasher, Nainoa Acasia-Kamakea, Patrice Wheelan Petrich, and Emilia Kandagawa. Next up: Kawaihapai on Thursday and Maakua Heiau on Sunday.