Shame...

This large rock is a sacrificial rock associated with a large religious structure, a heiau, on the island of Hawai'i. It is known as "Kahiholo." Kahi, meaning to cut. Holo, meaning to travel and flow. It is adjacent to the ocean and a strong current. The human body was cut open on the rock and then the body was thrown into the adjacent current to flow around the heiau walls in the water. I don't know how many of my kupuna died on this rock. I don't know how many of my kupuna ordered or participated in the killing. Either way. It is a very sad rock to be around. 

I don't understand why Ke Akua allowed this to happen. There must be some reason I don't yet understand. But when I visit the rock. I say a prayer for all the horrific death which occurred there and trauma for loved ones. I also pray for the souls of those who committed such heinous acts to appease the multitude of gods in the oppressive kapu system.

I suspect one day I will see these kupuna again. Some will hopefully be happy to see me for my expressions of Aloha in never forgetting the memory of their suffering and for trying to make sense of their tragic end. Some of my kupuna may not be able to look me in the eye knowing how I feel about what they did to some of my other kupuna. But I have already forgiven them. Just as I hope they forgive me. For some of the shameful things I have done...