Mahalo nui to the following participants of 2019 Protect Kahoʻolawe ʻOhana huakaʻi:
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Slowing Kahoʻolawe Fire Has Two Heads: One To Hakioawa and One Mauka Heading Back to Honokanaiʻa2/27/2020 Kanaloa-Kaho‘olawe - At 8:01 am this morning, February 27, 2020, four members of the Protect Kahoʻolawe ʻOhana (ʻOhana) safely landed by zodiac in Hakioawa. Initial observations from this morning’s aerial survey (Image 1) of the island indicated that the fire on Kahoʻolawe has two heads: one near Kuheia progressing northeast toward the base camp of the ʻOhana at Hakioawa, and one heading southwest back toward Honokanaiʻa. The primary goal of ‘Ohana members accessing Kaho‘olawe is to create a fire break around our primary structures - a traditionally-constructed hale, a pavilion, storage areas, and water tanks - as the fire continues to head north toward the Protect Kahoʻolawe ʻOhana base camp in Hakioawa. The roof of the hale has been sprayed with water and the surrounding area cleared of debris in an effort to create a fire break and prevent the structure from catching fire (Image 2). As the Hakioawa base camp has been twice cleared of unexploded ordnance to a depth of four feet, and the structures are close to the ocean, it is hoped that fire buckets might be able to be deployed to protect the structures. We continue to encourage the public to pule, focus on strong prayer, with us. PULE FOR RAIN He ua lā, he ua A rain, a rain He ua pi‘i mai A rain travels inland Noenoe hālau, Covering the hālau in mist Hālau loa o Lono The long hālau of Lono Ō lono ‘oe Listen! This is an excerpt of a traditional pule, as provided by Kīhei de Silva, available here. ![]() Image 3: Dr. Clay Traurnicht (@claytrau on Twitter) of the University of Hawaii at Manoa Natural Resource Environmental Management (NREM) Wildland Fire Cooperative Extension network shares the first satellite images from Sentinel 2 from February 25, 2020. Last night's #SuomiNPP shows the fire slowing down, custom script by Pierre Markuse (@Pierre_Markuse). The ʻOhana acknowledges the KIRC’s diligence in assessing the current situation on the island and has been working closely with KIRC staff to mitigate damages to structures, archaeological features, and restoration areas. The ʻOhana’s access to Hakioawa this morning would have not been possible without the support of the KIRC staff who graciously went above and beyond their duties.
More Information The Protect Kaho‘olawe ‘Ohana is a grassroots organization dedicated to the island of Kaho‘olawe with a vision of Aloha ‘Āina and the mission to perpetuate Aloha ‘Aina throughout our islands by means of cultural, educational, and spiritual activities that heal and revitalize the bio-cultural resources of Kaho‘olawe. In our work to heal Kaho‘olawe, from ranching (1858-1910; 1918-1952) and military use (1941-1993), we strengthen our relationship and pay respect to elemental phenomena connected to land. To donate to the Protect Kaho‘olawe ‘Ohana visit: www.protectkahoolaweohana.org For conversations relevant to the Protect Kaho‘olawe ‘Ohana on social follow: @kahoolawe (IG); @protectkahoolaweohana (FB) Kanaloa-Kaho‘olawe - Kaho‘olawe is a sacred island that in modern times has served as a foundation for the revitalization of Hawaiian cultural practices. On the morning of Saturday, February, 22, 2020, a brushfire started on the southwest end of the island (Kealaikahiki - Honokanaiʻa). Since then, over 5,400 acres have been burned by the fire. As of this afternoon, Tuesday, February 25, the fire continues to consume the island. Craig Neff, a Senior Advisor of the Protect Kahoʻolawe ‘Ohana (ʻOhana) and owner of “The Hawaiian Force” in Hilo stated, “As the extended family for Kaho‘olawe for the past 44 years, we have kept the spirit of the land alive through our cultural and spiritual practices and clearing the island of invasive species and healing her natural resources. Now, our ‘Ohana feels like our ʻhome’ is on fire. We call upon the public to focus on pule, strong prayer, to provide rain for the island.” This call is rooted in the practices of Hawaiian ancestors who historically composed rain chants. “We are especially focused on manifesting the abundant rains, known as Nāulu,” declares Dr. Kaliko Baker, a leader of Makahiki ceremonies with the ʻOhana and an assistant professor of the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa’s Kawaihuelani Center for Hawaiian Language. Nāulu is a rain cloud that forms on Maui in the uplands of ʻUlupalakua and has carried rain to Kahoʻolawe from historic times to present (Image 2). ![]() Image 2: The Nāulu rain cloud formation, by Anela Evans, from the water looking towards Kaho‘olawe. Naulu can be seen connecting Honua‘ula, Maui with Honua‘ula, Kaho‘olawe. The rain bridge is distinct, and can be seen year round but has reduced over the years due to deforestation on Maui and Kaho‘olawe. Reforestation efforts in both locations are underway. An example of such a rain chant, as shared by Dr. Baker, is “No Leialoha”. This chant comes from Kamapua‘a, a demi-god, who calls for his sister Leialoha to bring rain down on to the earth, this rain form is called Nāulu. NO LEIALOHA ‘O ka haka lei o Paoa, Ō Māhele ana ka ua me ka lā ē, E iho e iho mai ana ta ua i lalo nei, E ka pūnohu nui o ‘Ikuā, Ka‘alewa ka ua koko! Po a Kama a ka po i hana ai, He ‘ino nou, he pa ‘a ia, he pa ‘a ai! E uli ē, ma hea ke ala!?” “In Hawaiian traditions, fire is viewed as instrumental in creating new lands and life as well as purging or cleansing the land of elements that are unnecessary. It is an essential part of the life cycle and serves to catalyze new growth and activity,” notes ‘Ohana member ‘Ānela Evans of Lāna‘i. Dr. Davianna McGregor, ‘Ohana member and professor of Ethnic Studies at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa acknowledges both the negative and positive impacts of fire. “Our immediate concern about the fire is the destruction of infrastructure, traditional hale, water catchments and tanks, storage units, equipment and supplies that will be costly to replace,” said McGregor. “At the same time, we can foresee the positive impacts of the fire - the clearing of invasive species, the revelation of archaeological sites, opening up the coastal area for an Ala Loa or around the island trail that has already taken 10 years to clear. We can build upon the remnants of the fire and move forward.” ![]() Image 3: Dr. Clay Traurnicht (@claytrau on Twitter) of the University of Hawaii at Manoa Natural Resource Environmental Management (NREM) Wildland Fire Cooperative Extension network identifies extent of previous fire reach, or fire scars, on Kaho‘olawe to provide understanding about where the fire is burning and where it may weaken. Fires are currently burning over areas where they were recorded in 2002-2003. The fire is reportedly being fueled by bio-masses of grass that are invasive to Hawai‘i. Currently, one physical structure that is utilized by the ‘Ohana during volunteer and cultural accesses has been consumed by the fire as of 4:00 PM today Tuesday February 25, 2020. The brushfire is hoped to cease once it reaches the hardpan, a dense layer of soil that is impervious to water. The hardpan provides for a natural fire break on the landscape (Image 3) and a physical separation from Hakioawa, the basecamp for the ʻOhana on the northeast end of Kaho‘olawe. While natural firebreaks are present to help reduce the spread of the fires impact, members of the ‘Ohana remain vigilant. The next visual assessment by Kaho‘olawe Island Reserve Commission staff and ‘Ohana members will occur on Thursday, February 27, 2020. We also ask our community to keep the health and well-being of the members of the Maui Fire Department and the Kahoʻolawe Island Reserve Commission staff and all monitoring the fire in our thoughts. The protocol for brush fires on Kaho‘olawe is for total evacuation due to remaining threats of surface and subsurface unexploded ordnance, also known as UXO. UXO may also be exposed by the fire. Members of the ‘Ohana are trained to identify ordnance, report sightings, and steer volunteers clear of marked areas.
Evans of Lāna‘i shares, “we appreciate our community’s willingness to kōkua and we mahalo those who have reached out to offer resources. At this time, the ‘Ohana is focusing our efforts on manifesting rains to squelch the brushfire and re-green our beloved island in conjunction with our overall mission to heal the land. While the landscape consumed by the fire may be left scorched, the rich cultural and historical significance of these special places will always remain.” Kealaikahiki, where the brushfire originated, is home to cultural sites actively used by the ʻOhana for the Closing Makahiki ceremony. Kealaikahiki is tied to ancient voyaging traditions and is home to a navigational compass known as Kuhike‘e. Wayfinders, voyagers, and those in-training from around the Pacific have gathered to study navigation and train in contemporary times at Kealaikahiki on Kuhike‘e (Image 4). The voyaging canoe Hōkūle‘a and the Polynesian Voyaging Society have commenced many of their journeys to and from the South Pacific at Kealaikahiki where the fires have cleared the land of brush. Other culturally and historically significant resources in the fire-impacted areas include old-growth maʻo (Gossypium tomentosum, an at-risk, endemic cotton) fields at Kealaikahiki, Honokoʻa, where Kalākaua journeyed to cleanse himself when ascending the throne, and Puʻu Moiwi, an ancient lua koʻi, or adze quarry. More Information The Protect Kaho‘olawe ‘Ohana is a grassroots organization dedicated to the island of Kaho‘olawe with a vision of Aloha ‘Āina and the mission to perpetuate Aloha ‘Aina throughout our islands by means of cultural, educational, and spiritual activities that heal and revitalize the bio-cultural resources of Kaho‘olawe. In our work to heal Kaho‘olawe, from ranching (1858-1910; 1918-1952) and military use (1941-1993), we strengthen our relationship and pay respect to elemental phenomena connected to land. Audio for “NO LEIALOHA” provided in attachment and is chanted by Dr. Kaliko Baker. To donate to the Protect Kaho‘olawe ‘Ohana visit: www.protectkahoolaweohana.org For conversations relevant to the Protect Kaho‘olawe ‘Ohana on social follow: @kahoolawe (IG); @protectkahoolaweohana (FB) Media contact: Dr. Davianna McGregor, 808-222-9728 Hawaiʻi Department of Education hosted the 2020 Math Challenge on Saturday, February 15 at Kapiʻolani Community College. Specialists from Office of Curriculum and Instructional Design, Office of Hawaiian Education, and local innovation non-profit Education Incubator partnered to host a place-based, project-based learning day focused on helping to solve challenges related to Kahoʻolawe. Students from Waimea, Molokai, Kapolei, Farrington, Aiea, and Castle High School worked on solving problems that were connected to the island using design thinking and mathematical practices.
"Getting young people involved in solving authentic challenges we face, using their skills of public speaking and activating tools in science and math -- that is how we help answer the question ʻWhen will I ever need to know his?ʻ, which we so often hear in our schools. Building towards a thriving Kahoʻolawe leads to a thriving Hawaiʻi, which leads to a thriving planet." Miki Tomita, Education Incubator. They were able to think of ways to help control invasive plants and mice, use nets to collect moisture, plant Ohia trees to improve soil quality, and spread the word about the struggles facing Kaho'olawe to a wider audience. The ideas shared not only affected the students involved, but the teachers and administrators that attended. "Preparing the next generation with the passion for our natural environment and the skills to care for its future is critical to ensure the work our generation has started is carried forward." Michael Naho'opi'i, Executive Director, Kaho'olawe Island Reserve An update from our Huakaʻi i Kanaloa-Kahoʻolawe participants from the month of August 2019. Aloha ʻOhana, We wanted to report back on our manaful August huakaʻi with UH Hilo/HawCC and Waimanalo Limu Hui - such a great exchange of knowledge, laughter, and connections made. Highlights:
Kanaloa was happening! Iwa were everywhere! Good amount of iʻa too. The first iʻa caught was returned to Kanaloa. The Poʻo and Hiʻu of our largest ʻōmilu were placed on the kūʻula ʻAiʻai and the upright pōhaku below the traditional Hale Mua respectively. J-Boy made sure that we (Koi and Kalama) took care of this kuleana. Mist covered the hike from beginning of planting area to Moa Ula Nui. Hikers were cooled by the clouds ʻAha at our Rain Koʻa Naulu were manaful! Hoʻokupu ʻAwa were presented along with our Pule ʻAwa and Hula - Ke Welina: kipa ʻia ke kapa ka noe - visited by a veil of mist. As these hoʻokupu were offered to Kāne, Kanaloa, and Kamohoaliʻi the kapa kanoe established the kapu space for this ʻaha focusing pule to Kahoʻolawe. 28 Wai from the Pae ʻĀina o Hawaiʻi from Ka Hoʻi Wai a Kanaloa, Waimānalo Limu Hui, and PKO were presented at the Rain Koʻa Naulu. Hahai nō ka ua i ka ululāʻau - Rain always follow the forest. 41 kanaka formed the forest and brought the wai from their ʻāina bringing water to back Kanaloa. Puʻuhonua o Waimānalo - Limu Hui Kahaluʻu, Kona - Malia Kīpapa Olaʻaloa, Hawaiʻi - Kaiʻanui Keaʻau, Puna, Hawaiʻi - Drew Kaluaʻa/Waiʻeli, Oʻahu - Taz Puʻu Pūʻowaina, Oʻahu - Alliya Keaʻau, Puna, Hawaiʻi - Kaylyn Wākiu, Hāna, Maui - Chris ʻŌlaʻa, Puna, Hawaiʻi - Bruce ʻŌlaʻa, Puna, Hawaiʻi - Lei Waikahekaheiki, Puna, Hawaiʻi - Isaac ʻŌlaʻa, Puna, Hawaiʻi - Allie Keaʻau, Puna, Hawaiʻi - Kamalani Kailua, Koʻolaupoko, Oʻahu - Tamara ʻŌlaʻa/Keaʻau, Puna, Hawaiʻi - Lihiwai Kaiholena, Kāwā, Kaʻū - Shari Panaʻewa, Waiākea, Moku o Keawe - Uʻilani Waiākea, Moku o Keawe - Kaoru Piʻihonua, Hilo, Hawaiʻi - Mika Kapuʻeuhi, Puna, Hawaiʻi - Koʻolani Hulali, Kalaoa, Hawaiʻi Waimānalo, Koʻolaupoko, Oʻahu (Wai Niu) - Pono Kaʻakua Miloliʻi, Kauaʻi - ʻOhana Ho; Kahaluʻu, Koʻolaupoko, Oʻahu (Ua Pōʻaihale) - Kasha and Prentice Kahaluʻu, Koʻolaupoko, Oʻahu (Wai kahawai) - ʻOhana Chock Pālolo, Kona, Oʻahu (Ua Lililehua) - ʻOhana Chock Lilinoe - ʻOhana Chock Waiau - Melia Kaʻakua (ʻOhana Neff) Wai from Waimānalo came in ʻOhe. Wai from Ka Hoʻi Wai a Kanaloa came in an Ipu. Wai poured from the ipu came down in columns like the koʻiaweawe. Wai from niu was also poured by our youngest male Pono Kaʻakua and our youngest of the ʻohana, Melia Kaʻakua had the honor of presenting Wai from Waiau from Aunty Luana. This wai was in its own special Ipu, which whistled the entire ceremony. After all wai were offered, Uilani Naipo, performed the hula ʻO Kaneokūkapao, depicting the movement of wai and called for the waters presented move to build the water table of Kanaloa, Kahoʻolawe. As the hui offered the final Oli - E Iho ana o luna, and the last Pū sounded the kapa ka noe had lifted. At kau ka lā i ka lolo, upon Moa Ula ʻIki we were joined by our hoa from KIRC: Lyman, his ʻohana, and Maui Nui Botanical Gardens. The 2 hui that mālama Kahoʻolawe, the Protect Kahoʻolawe ʻOhana and the Kahoʻolawe Island Reserve Commission held our sacred spaces on Kahoʻolawe, Moa ʻUla ʻIki. The view from Moa Ula ʻIki was epic. Each Mokupuni and their Mauna and their clouds were prominent. Hula and ʻOli for Kanaloa were performed as well as a Siva for Moa Ula were performed. Drawing our sacred spaces together, The hei, ʻO Wākea noho iā Papahānaumoku… taught to us by the hui Ka Hoʻi Wai a Kanaloa, was performed toward all our mauna. Standing on Moa Ula and facing Haleakalā, Kamakou, Lānaʻihale, Kaʻala, Waiʻaleʻale, Puʻuwai, Mauna Kea. The same story the same fight. The common tie that brings us all together is our connection and relationship to ʻāina and our deep aloha for it. Aloha ʻĀina brings us together. Limu Observations Waiamanalo Limu Hui found 5 limu present in Hakio’awa bay: Wawahiwa’a, Hauula , Kala, Kohu and Puha. Most were found on the side banks as the interior of the bay is covered in sediment making it hard for lmu to grow there. Also found limu hauʻula floating in the shore. Kitchen Upgrades Led by Dean Crowell, Waimanalo Limu Hui assisted with kitchen renovations which included new drying rack, small prep table, and a staging bench for the coffee and hot water containers. Mahalo to KIRC for providing and staging the lumber and July group for getting ball rolling. Per July Kua suggestions added bumpers to wire rack for coolers, found them from beach clean up. Also tried to level under the action packers under the large tables to help with taking them out - perhaps next group can troubleshoot that more Bokashiʻd all the luas and the compost. Recommend to start to use new compost pile and continue to cover at the end of each huakai. KIRC will be checking concerns regarding lua. Water Catchment Hawaii Island side catchment tank water was very green with algae growth. Treated with 1 cup clorox on Day 1, 2 additional cups clorox on Day 2: saw some improvement of green color (photos for reference). Because of algae growth, we connected the filter to the Lanai side catchment tank. Water filter that was used (new) in July was producing bright green water (that came into the filter clear). Switched it out for a new filter. It started out fine, but decreased water flow through the filter throughout the day, and by Day 2 was only dripping. Conducted some troubleshooting of the water filter and got it to function again, but still slowly (~30 mins to fill one water jug). We took the water filter off island for Kelvin Ho to troubleshoot. Recommend installing a pre-filter screen/hose filter to prevent sediment buildup in the filter. Added Y splitter to Lanai side for option to use catchment for both filter and washing dishes. Photo: Morning of Departure, picture of water from catchment
Aloha ʻĀina, JBoy, Josh, Kasha, Kalama, and Pearl The Protect Kahoʻolawe ʻOhana stands for the perpetuation of Aloha ʻĀina throughout our islands and we honor Mauna A Wākea, Haleakalā and all sacred places throughout Ko Hawai‘i Pae ‘Āina as well as throughout the Hōnua. The Protect Kahoʻolawe ʻOhana strongly opposes the building of the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) on Mauna A Wākea and stands as one in lōkahi with our Kiaʻi Mauna in the protection of Mauna Kea from further desecration.
On Pō‘aono, 10 ‘Aukake 2019, a contingent of Protect Kaho‘olawe ‘Ohana (‘Ohana) representatives along with a multitude of those that have participated on an ‘Ohana huaka‘i to Kanaloa-Kaho‘olawe solidified our commitment to stand in solidarity with our Kia‘i Mauna for the protection of Mauna A Wākea (Mauna Kea). At the presentation of protocol during the Kau Ka Lā I Ka Lolo/ Awakea gathering, ‘Ohana presented oli and ho‘okupu of lei limu kala, wai from various places around our pae ‘āina, pa‘akai, and ‘awa. Senior Kua Craig Neff and Dr. Emmett Aluli spoke on behalf of the ‘Ohana, assuring and solidifying the ‘Ohana’s commitment to Aloha ‘Āina and honoring the sacrifices made by George Helm, Kimo Mitchell, and Aloha ‘Āina warriors that came before us. Both spoke of the parallels that the Kaho‘olawe movement and the Mauna a Wākea movement share. The presentation was concluded with a beautiful rendition of Mele O Kaho‘olawe, sung by all present and accompanied instrumentally by Pō and the 4 Fathers. The song was also danced to by Aunty Davianna McGregor, Aunty Loretta Ritte, and Anuhea Borengasser. With the presentation of this mele, we also honor Kupuna Harry Kunihi Mitchell, whose ‘ike guided the ‘Ohana during its foundational years and the efforts to cease military use of the island. Throughout the time that the ‘Ohana stayed at Pu‘uhuluhulu, we were honored by the presence of Lilinoe, who embraced us in her cool mist, as well as Kāne and Lono, whose clouds and light rain provided shade and blessings, even providing a kīpuka of clear weather after a morning of showers. At the same time, our ‘Ohana participating on a huaka‘i to Kanaloa-Kaho‘olawe presented ho‘okupu at our ‘ahu on Moa‘ula Iki and Moa‘ula Nui to align intentions and hold space with those present at Pu‘uhuluhulu. The ‘Ohana on Kanaloa-Kaho‘olawe presented wai from Waiau, lei, oli, and hula. ‘Ohana were surrounded by the Nāulu clouds, that “enclosed the area like a dome, [allowing only a] glimmer of light to shine through [while ho‘okupu were being presented.] At the end of the ceremony, Nāulu lifted.” As we reflect on the time that we spent at Pu‘uhuluhulu and on Kanaloa-Kaho‘olawe, we offer our aloha to our kūpuna on the front lines as well as those that have solidified their space and intentions on Mauna A Wākea since day one. We honor those that came before us that have laid the foundation in the movement for Aloha ‘Āina. I mua nā pua, lanakila Kahoʻolawe. I mua nā pua, lanakila Maunakea. I mua nā pua, lanakila ka lāhui. Pomaika'i Elementary School 4th graders presents " The Heart and Soul of Hawai'i". This project is a collaboration between the Kaho'olawe Island Reserve Commission and Pomaika'i Elementary School 4th grade educators. The project was made possible through a NOAA Bay Watershed Educational (BWET) Grant: Learning Aina Through Kaho'olawe and Arts Integration.
A most soothing and inspiring voice, with relationships that crossed our generations in sharing and broadcasting her mana‘o in keeping our culture alive.
“It is possible that the Hawaiian Renaissance of the 1970’s would not have the impact it had, were it not for a women whose passion for preserving Hawai`i’s recorded heritage and support for your musicians not only gave moments, to the cultural rebirth but set the course of her career and that of so many others.” Skylark came to us PKO early warriors at a critical and pivotal time: our “occupations” led to arrests and convictions, and George Helm and Kimo Mitchell disappeared:
A PKF monitory gift was left for her ‘ohana from donations by Sr. ko KUA’s. “Long Story Short” - see Leslie Wilcox PBSHawaii.org interview. Photo courtesy of PBS Hawai‘i. Written by Noa Emmett Aluli. Twenty-five sacred site guardians traveled to the IUCN World Conservation Congress in September 2016. First stop was the island of Maui, where the group was welcomed by members of the Protect Kaho`olawe Ohana. Eventually the entire group would travel to Kaho'olawe. |
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