Draft Kahoolawe cultural use plan, Ke kalai maoli ola no kanaloa. Consultants to the Kahoolawe Island Reserve Commission: Edith Kanakaole Foundation

Author:

Kahoolawe Island Reserve Commission,

Title:

Draft Kahoolawe cultural use plan, Ke kalai maoli ola no kanaloa. Consultants to the Kahoolawe Island Reserve Commission: Edith Kanakaole Foundation

Year:

1995

Subject:

Hawaii social life and customs

Summary:

The Kahoolawe Island Reserve Commission's (KIRC) Cultural Use Expansion Plan or Kalai Maoli Ola No Kanaloa (Kalai) is guided by Hawaiian cultural principles which, when practiced correctly, effectively sustain the longevity of the unique Hawaiian lifestyle. The aumakua belief and practice is an example of cultural principles and is a primary spiritual belief. The aumakua is a spirit ancestral guardian who is called upon for assistance whether spiritual or physical, and dispenses justice, beneficence, and wisdom to his or her progeny. As a result, it is the belief of the Hawaiian people that they are spiritually, physically, and genealogically connected to their aumakua. Another cultural principle that affects the success of Kalai is the definition of being Hawaiian. One factor, which determines one's Hawaiian-ness, is the belief that they have "koko" or Hawaiian blood. DNA is the major baseline of all measurements on being Hawaiian. Another factor is that of possessing ancestral memory which is made possible only by a direct bloodline. Therefore, it is the duty of the Hawaiian people to dig deep into their naau and memory to ensure the success of Kalai through the practices and teaching of their kupuna. A cultural principle that also affect Kalai are Hawaiian cultural practices which manifests their Hawaiian-ness. The culture lives on through its Practitioners, who deals with the physical, the spiritual, and the interaction between these realms. The Practitioners make real and tangible, those thoughts and spiritual influences that come to them as part of their ancestral memory or aumakua inspiration. The practitioner is the matrix or connection through which the past, present, and future culture are manifested by observing, studying, and most importantly, doing. The practitioners of the makahiki thrive on Kahoolawe. This is a prime example that the induction of Practitioners insures a healthy cultural life. Another point that needs to be recognized is that the island of Kahoolawe shall be under the jurisdiction of a Hawaiian sovereign entity at a future date. It stands as self-evident that the Hawaiian culture serves, first and foremost, the Hawaiian people since it is they who shall decide his own destiny using his own cultural criteria. Therefore, it is imperative that they are satisfied that the activities upon Kahoolawe are culturally correct.

Collection:

Monographs