Hō'ailona...
When the Kamehameha Schools Hawaiian Ensemble haumana, alaka'i and kumu visited Kaiona last Friday morning to greet the Sun, Honor Ke Ali'i Pauahi and Kamehameha in chant, and kapu kai, or spiritually cleanse themselves as they prepare for a new school year, I noticed a remarkable difference this year.
Unlike previous years I have attended, the sky was completely devoid of 'Iwa birds. Usually somewhere between twenty-five to fifty-five birds have traditionally soared above along the steep verdant cliffs, and over the ocean. It was eerily empty this year.
At least until the whole ceremony was over then a lone and solitary 'Iwa came out of nowhere and soared silently in circles above the group until it finally sailed off into the horizon. A Beautiful hō'ailona. Kamehameha. Also known as Ka'iwakīloumoku... "The 'iwa bird who hooked the islands together." Mehameha... Lonely, solitary, silent... Kamehameha... The Lonely One...
Unlike previous years I have attended, the sky was completely devoid of 'Iwa birds. Usually somewhere between twenty-five to fifty-five birds have traditionally soared above along the steep verdant cliffs, and over the ocean. It was eerily empty this year.
At least until the whole ceremony was over then a lone and solitary 'Iwa came out of nowhere and soared silently in circles above the group until it finally sailed off into the horizon. A Beautiful hō'ailona. Kamehameha. Also known as Ka'iwakīloumoku... "The 'iwa bird who hooked the islands together." Mehameha... Lonely, solitary, silent... Kamehameha... The Lonely One...
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