In spite of the government shutdown which has, amongst other things, closed all National parks, the people on the ground let us into the Volcanoes National Park. In spite of having our education permit rescinded by those at dizzy heights on the flagpole, at the entrance we were granted free access. By foot.
One small, rain drenched but very sincere, group of Hawaiian charter school students, with hoʻokupa, a gift for Pele, walked to the Pā Hula. All tongues were amazingly stilled by awe. True that: this is often an unruly group on outings but on this day they were worthy of the kuleana which granted them access: a right and a responsibility.
A day of miracles and wonders. The park, without tourists, was a blessed place, indeed. Resonant with ringing silence, birds and rain, mist swirling. Full of presence.
Imi na ʻauao
You gotta play the hand thatʻs dealt you/ thatʻs what the old man always said....
*While the word kuleana mean roughly something within the range of "right/responsibility/duty" Kuleana rights are a complex set of laws, dating from the 1850s, which allow native Hawaiians access to traditional lands for cultural and spiritual purposes. There is a bit more here. These rights are not always respected in the contemporary turmoil of USA occupation of these sovereign islands.
*While the word kuleana mean roughly something within the range of "right/responsibility/duty" Kuleana rights are a complex set of laws, dating from the 1850s, which allow native Hawaiians access to traditional lands for cultural and spiritual purposes. There is a bit more here. These rights are not always respected in the contemporary turmoil of USA occupation of these sovereign islands.
3 comments:
Yay! Someone with common sense and ancestral connections.
True Dottie Mae: we were VER surprised and very much in awe that we were granted access. We had gone to the entrance fully expecting to just do our oli (chant) there and leave the hoʻokupa (gift/offering) outside. In fact the students were already lined up for the protocol at the entrance gate. When the guardian at the gate (who IS native Hawaiian) let us in, on foot, we were stunned and really so so grateful. It elevated the whole tone of the field trip, from one of disappointment and submission to authority, to one of redemption and cultural pride/respect. At the end of the day, when we circled up and asked each student to speak of their take-away from the day, most of the students said some variation of "being allowed to go into the park "chanting at the Pā Hula", "walking in silence through the empty roads of the park". Each one of those students now has the seed crystal of a direct experience of right action within them. May it grow! I certainly feel enriched by the experience.
I too feel enriched.
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