This is the culminating dedication ceremony for the Kuhio Mini-Park in Waikiki that once was a blight with garbage, transients, drug dealing, prostitution, and other vices. The park, through a joint effort of Hawaiian cultural practitioners, adjacent residents, street artists, students, community policing, adjacent businesses, and other groups and individuals who gave of their time, energy, money or love, turned into a clean safe place of healing and reflection. Divinely inspired and guided by Ke Akua, na akua, na 'aumakua and kupuna i hala, including beloved Ali'i, many received the calling and descended upon this once sacred place.
Waikīkī, or spouting waters, once was a favorite wahi pana of beloved Ali'i and rulers of O'ahu. So much degradation has occurred. It was a beautiful healing of this area, genuine requests for forgiveness, and the beautiful reunification of the life giving waters of Kāne and the beautiful surrounding ocean of Kanaloa.
The mural painted all along the sides of the park by talented street artists and students, depicts the mo'olelo, or legend, of the Battle of the Owls, or the Legend of Kapo'i as it is also known. Kapo'i, who had taken a clutch of owl eggs while gathering pili grass, was confronted by an Owl as he was preparing to cook them for dinner. He ended up giving the eggs back and built a heiau, or temple, in Manoa, as instructed by the pueo. Later, the paramount Ali'i of O'ahu, Kakūhihewa, upon hearing of the unauthorized temple construction, sought Kapo'i's life. In the ensuing battle that occurred in Waikīkī, the "sky was darkened" as pueo from all islands descended upon Kakuhihewa's warriors and drove them back. Kakuhihewa acknowledged the power of the pueo and of the powerful Akua.
After the park was blessed and ho'okupu presented, before the start of the project, many powerful visitations and ho'ailona occurred. After the ground was cleaned up, a variety of kalo sprouted from the ground and began thriving seemingly on its own. Its origins are unknown but the variety is a malahini kalo introduced sometime during Hawaiian history. It was a powerful ho'ailona for hope, promise, and regrowth in the area.
Another powerful message arrived to a beautiful friend with 'ike papa lua, or second sight, from HRM King David Kalakaua. This resounding message also arrived to another gifted woman in the form of a melody for a song from our Ali'i and kupuna, and to another gifted woman in the form of lyrics. All three independently confirmed the messages and united in one voice.
I asked permission to share the 'ike and mana'o of HRM King David Kalakaua as presented at the Dedication Ceremony:
For as long as I can remember, I’ve had
the gift of second sight. Though
when I was younger I didn’t always view it as a gift. It was later in life that I began to understand my role and
my purpose for being here. I’ve
been given many opportunities to help others because of my gift. Through meditation and prayer, I’ve
been blessed to offer comfort to others with answers, not of my own, but that
of a much more divine and spiritual nature.
In speaking to you this morning, I will
offer you the words from our beloved Ali’i, David Kalakaua who visited me at
the height of this journey. It is my sincerest belief that his message was not meant for only
my ears, but for everyone to hear.
For me, it is a blessing to be able to offer an alternative to conventional
understanding. A spiritual
perspective that is deeply rooted in my rich cultural heritage and often tied
to the voices and messages from our ancestors. Here is Kalakaua’s message…
"My niece, Ka'iulani was to be the hope (for
Hawaii). But she passed away so young. The keiki today as always,
are the hope of the future. Look to them, teach them, groom them, show
them wonder, and inspire them. Change comes from inspiration.
Without wonder we cease to exist. Ka'iulani had wonder, she had
dreams.
I was so angry at my brother in law for taking
her from us, from Hawaii. But in retrospect, it was good for her.
Good for her to see what else was out there, and to bring that knowledge
home.
As a child, she inspired me. She was always
full of life, full of wonder, so inquisitive, and always asking questions.
I regret not spending more time with her then. I sometimes viewed
her inquisitions as a nuisance, and I am so sorry for that. She was a
beautiful girl, beautiful from the inside out. As she grew older and
returned home, I watched her from my place above. I was so proud of her.
She was to be our hope. So many kanaka loved her, and revered her.
But just as many scorned her, because she was half. The disdain was
so strong. They felt that she did not carry the mana of a pure blood.
But what they did not understand, nor did even I at the time, was that
mana is drawn from our ancestors, great people who lived before us, no matter
who they are. But reverence and love come from within, it is personal.
It comes from our connection to our Creator. It's what drives the
mana. No matter who or where your koko (blood) is from, it is the love
and reverence that stems from the Creator that is the driving force. Mana
knows no color, it is the power within. It is our connection to Ke Akua
above, below, and within that matters and is the driving force of your
strength.
The kalo you see has the strength and resilience
of our ancestors. It is not a native species, but one that is a gift from
Ke Akua above just the same. To eradicate her would be a shame. To
condemn her for not being kanaka would be a travesty. Because despite her
lineage, she gives hope. She is a symbol of strength and forgiveness.
She is a symbol of tolerance and peace. With diversity there is
strength, there is creativity, there is inspiration, and there is hope.
Na Keiki o Hawaii today represent this unique
diversity. They are your hope. Please inspire them.
When
I received this message, I was so humbled by his words. Stated so simply, was such a profound
wisdom and gift. We are all
children of the divine creator, no matter who we are, or where we come from. “Mana (or divine power) knows no color”
Love, forgiveness, and compassion are the keys to healing and peace. It’s how we choose to drive the Mana
that defines us, and this park is a testament to that.
Mahalo
nui for allowing me to share his message with you!
...and thus the words are shared and released....Mahalo King Kalakaua, mahalo na Ali'i, mahalo na Akua, Mahalo Ke Akua....
