Aha Pawalu: a cultural protocol for Kanaloa-Kahoolawe. Consultants to the Kahoolawe Island Reserve Commission: Edith Kanakaole Foundation

Author:

Kahoolawe Island Reserve Commission,

Title:

Aha Pawalu: a cultural protocol for Kanaloa-Kahoolawe. Consultants to the Kahoolawe Island Reserve Commission: Edith Kanakaole Foundation

Year:

1995

Subject:

Hawaii social life and customs

Summary:

Protocol is a process of separating the sacred from the mundane. It is a reminder of hierarchy and relationships with places, things, and people. The distinction of hierarchy is already determined by prior generations and the follow through of protocol reiterates the continuum of the thought process of what is important. The Hawaiian has, throughout the generations, declared that land is sacred. It has the status of "Papahanaumoku or Mother Earth", providing life, warmth and nourishment. Height of land is deemed most sacred because of age and also because it is the center or piko of the island. Therefore, the highest mountain peak receives the most distinguished and sacred protocol. All other mountain peaks are also treated with almost equal value. Sacredness lessens as one travels toward the ocean. This concept of moving from the sacred to the common allows man the freedom to move about without impeding upon the sacred. The mountain peaks always retain an elevated status of sacredness. Kanaloa-Kahoolawe, however, is named for the deity of the ocean and therefore the sacredness of the island extends from the top of Moaulanui to the depths of the ocean surrounding the island. The construction of the largest Kuula on this island affords honor and respect to the ocean and the prolific nature of the ocean surrounding it. Man in his search for survival has, to the best of his ability, reproduced sacredness by constructing or setting aside places befitting the status of the kinetic energy form or god needed to retain life. Therefore, heiau, ahu, kuula and the act of re-naming places were established for the God or Gods to reside in when needed or called upon which rendered the structure or place sacred. When the Gods were not in residence the residual matter of the Gods retained a certain level of sacredness. Understanding the degrees of sacredness determines the caliber of protocol. Protocol re-establishes an awareness of relationship between people and place and is a conduit for intergenerational thought continuum. It provides a pervading attitude toward ecological sensitivity tantamount to "malama" and "aloha aina". It communicates a code of behavior in respect to places, peoples and things. It is a safety device which reaches into the realm of the unseen. It is a unifying mechanism giving strength to purpose. For all of the above reasons, protocol on Kanaloa-Kahoolawe is for everyone. Attitude building towards traditional protocol practices must begin before coming onto the island.

Collection:

Monographs