ISLAND VOICES
We must protect the bones

By Pualani Kanahele

Pualani Kanaka'ole Kanahele is a kumu with Hui Malama I Na Kupuna O Hawai'i Nei.

Mai ka la hiki a ka la kau (from the sun rising to the sun setting), we 'Oiwi Hawai'i (Native Hawaiians) are reminded of the cyclical nature in which our people have thrived in Hawai'i nei throughout the generations. Although much has changed, much remains the same.

We experience the same sunrise and sunset as our kupuna (ancestors) did, dance to the same beat of the pahu (drum) as they did, plant by the same moon phases and fish by the ebb and flow of the same ocean tides.

Through cultural practices, we tap into and release ancestral knowledge passed on to us and maintain long-held traditions and kuleana (responsibilities) that continually breathe meaning into our lives. One of the most profound of these kuleana is the care and protection of iwi kupuna (ancestral bones) and moepu (burial objects).

In recognizing ourselves as 'oiwi (natives), we literally refer to ourselves as "of the bone," exemplifying that our bones and the bones of our kupuna derive from the same source. Likewise, kulaiwi (native land) literally translates as "bone plain," in that our homeland is where our ancestors are buried. 'Olelo no'eau or traditional sayings teach us not to expose the ancestor's bones, "mai kaula'i i na iwi i ka la," and not to remove objects placed with the deceased, "mai lawe wale i na mea i ho'omoepu 'ia." Ingrained within us, these values form a fundamental part of who we are.

The ongoing efforts of Director William Brown of the Bishop Museum to seek to reopen a burial cave at Kawaihae to remove iwi kupuna and moepu of ali'i (chiefs) returned to their original burial place is a digression of our Hawaiian cultural existence because it continues to "kaula'i na iwi" or "expose the bones," further violates our responsibility to protect our kupuna as was originally intended and further oppresses who we are as 'Oiwi Hawai'i by devaluing our practices. We must not allow the Kawaihae iwi kupuna and moepu to be removed from the place where their loved ones laid them to rest.

In response to Director Brown's efforts, a 24-hour vigil will be held beginning at noon tomorrow at Bishop Museum. We will practice our kuleana to the Kawaihae ancestors by praying for their protection and a permanent halt to all efforts to remove them. Participants will remain at the museum throughout the night to also pray for the timely release of all iwi kupuna and moepu held there. Please join us.