Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 2, Number 1, 1 January 1982 — Au [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Au

culture, what culture is made up of rather than define it. The group was not able to define culture itself. In fact everything we seemed to discuss related to culture. Agriculture, mythology, sports customs and many more topics are all part of culture. At the end, when I had to present my findings, I used the coconut as a means of explaining culture. The inside of the coconut represented culture. If the coconut was to grow, it would shoot down many roots. The roots are interdependent upon eaeh other and eaeh root represented one aspect of culture (i.e., root for Hawaiian sports, root for agriculture, root for religion, one for music and so forth). Eaeh of the roots have a role to play to make the coconut grow. All the people that are Hawaiian are the fibers of the trunk of the tree. As time changes or as the wind blows, if the tree has strong roots, it will never break. The same ean be said of culture — as time changes or other culture interrelate or interpose upon the Hawaiian culture, if the "roots" or components remain strong, so will the culture. Then the leaves eome out, more coconuts grow and its like an ongoing cycle. The most important thing however is if any one of the roots start to die, then the tree can't survive. Historically, we know some of the roots have been pretty damn weak and the tree almost died! But the rebirth of interest in the "roots" of culture is making the tree strong again. The role that culture plays is so important. It is what binds everything together. If OHA or anyone attempts to develop activities or programs for the benefit of Hawaiians, the one thing that pulls it all together is the culture. lt is the one eommon thread. . . without it, there is nothing. Enos: I believe the discussion on being Hawaiian probably stayed with me longer. It's hard to put into words — especially in English words. It's not what you say that's so important but rather how you live. To me, I see Hawaiianess in international and universal terms. The important aspects of our being — sharing the natural resources, caring for one another, malama the 'āina and the ahupua'a — are ingredients in all eultures. Perhaps different languages are used but the essence remains the same. This is important. Our Kupunas say that what you put in to anything is what you get out. The family unit and the land unit are very important to us, as I know are important to other cultures. If we could all, everybody, maintain that level of sharing, of putting in together, of respecting the family and the land we would really strike a unique balance in the world! Power, greed and losing the "natural rhythms" are very mueh a part of Western society. And their influence on the Hawaiians has caused mueh grief. We need to get close to the natural resources and only use what we need so that we insure and provide for future generations. That's the Hawaiian importance. Heine: To me, the important theme was the discussion on what is Hawaiian.

More specifically what is a Hawaiian in the community sense. Being Hawaiian is not how you identify yourself but rather a Hawaiian identifies himself by action, such as living the Hawaiian "lifestyle." How that lifestyle "mirrors" the "community self." It's like looking at a eanoe. The hull of the eanoe is the Hawaiian essence — the strength of the boat — this is the most important part of the eanoe and must be kept strong; the top of the paddles are the kupunas, giving knowledge (handle) to the paddle or flat surface ('opio). The paddle is always under water and it is our duty to bring that part of the paddle up out of the water and into the eanoe. The sail or mast make up all the "viewpoints" woven together. And OHA is the navigator of the eanoe. OHA What were some frustrations you experienced during the conference and what were some positiue things? Kinny: I was somewhat frustrated with hearing the same issues and same arguments that I have heard Hawaiians express before. It made me wonder again (although not too long) what have we accomplished as Hawaiians. We also did not reach or find many solutions, whieh ean be very frustrating. On the positive side, I did meet Hawaiians I had never met before. This gave me an opportunity to leam from others. I also felt that the title of the conference — E HAWAI'I AU or I AM HAWAI'I — was a good title for a conference. We needed to find out if we are really Hawaiian. I eame away feeling in terms of the title that I am Hawai'i.

May: I felt frustration in being a recorder; however, I felt sad in many ways. . .sad to see where we all are today and sad that the evolution of our culture was interrupted so mueh. There are many examples of interruption, like speaking the language or not being able to speak. Some conferees spoke Hawaiian throughout. Others could understand yet still others did not. I feel sad about that. On the positive side, perhaps we are in the position of reversing the process. Put more emphasis on language for example. Be more aware of all aspects of our culture and make those "roots" grow strong. Another positive thing that happened during the conference was the tremendous amount of frustration being poured out. I see this as good because it's raw energy that, if harnessed and directed properly, boy, things could really start to happen! Enos: Probably being a recorder. . .It was a demanding role spiritually, emotionally and physically. It was hard to be objective and not voice your own mana'o sometimes. Took a lot out of me. . .1 felt really good about the mana'o shared by the Maoris to our groups. While 1 can't be specific, I do reco!lect that the Maoris presented a very refreshing perspective several times during the discussions. I personally felt they played a key role in this conference. I am touched by the awareness that Maoris are not as tainted by western values as we are at times. It amazes me that I ean still be amazed at how mueh our Hawaiian value system has changed! One important process that needs reinforcing is decision making. Decisions affecting the Hawaiian community must be derived from the community itself. Heine: What is going to be frustrating is if Hawaiians continue to say they are going to do something and then nothing happens. In fact, I feel frustrated even now. Hawaiians keep sounding repetitious. No action, lots of talk. I believe in getting together and doing something. Like writing proposals for action to accomplish the next kind of conference. Or bringing written ideas to OHA to seek support from the trustees. What is positive is the teaching of the 'ōpio that is taking plaee in some communities. I like this very mueh and feel strong about participating in this aspect. I give back to our heritage by teaching the 'ōpio, song, dance and chants. I do this for love. However, I must take care of my family so commercially I work for the "Brothers." This is my give and take. But it is important to feel that we are building tomorrow's future. We all

must have a hand in this — like a community. OHA: In your estimation, where do we go from here? Kinny: We don't drop the ball: We continue to go forward. Get Hawaiians invo!ved in other Hawaiian projects and ideas. We must also eonhnue to meet and share with eaeh other. May: We did not accomplish the conferenee objective of developing activities or programs. I don't think we could have. One thing, whieh is not my idea, but eame out during the conference was we need a plaee to learn or "feel" our culture. Like the Maoris have their maraes, we need to have our centers or halaus. But it must be located in a plaee where there are strong feelings of Hawaiianess — not a classroom! I also feel we need to meet one more time, but not in an unstructured way. There needs to be more leadership and more focus. Perhaps group the different parts of culture together and develop specific topics to be discussed. Most important the worse thing that could happen is to do nothing. Or to have nothing happen. Enos: We need to become self sufficient. Where we go from there is a matter of economics. It is hard to plaee a high value on cultural aspects if we cannot pay the rent or buy food. The unavailability of prime land for working class people exists because of land monopolies and the economy of Hawaii being controlled by multi-international interests. These folks don't put community development or eommunity concerns first. Heine: We stay involved, active. We have another conference but one that is action oriented. We put out things to do. On a community level, island level, state level. We leam what's happening with other communities and we support. I felt a lot of movement and feelings from this conference; many others did, too. We must continue the movement and generate the feelings. If we dropped everything and did nothing, that would be very bad. Also, OHA must be positive. Every step OHA takes must be confident and reassuring because Hawaiians are looking toward OHA for uplifting and support.

Eric Enos Ene Enos is presently a counselor with Hale Ola O Ho'opakolea, a cultural, healing and research Center in Nanakuli. Hale Ola is administered by Alu Like ine., but is designed by the community, for the community. Telephone 668-2361.

Sonny Kinny Sonny Kinny is currently the Project Coordinator for Puna Hui Ohana, a priuate non profit "umbrella" organization prouiding leadership, support and guidance to all ofits member groups in lower Puna on the Big Island. Puna Hui Ohana has as one of its major concerns the ouerall enuironmental and eeonomie impact of geothermal energy noiu being explored and deueloped in lower Puna.

Mountaīn Apple Co Leina'ala Kalama Heine, Leina'ala Kalama Heine, well-known entertainer kumuhula of Na Pualei O Likolehua, a halau hula deuoted to hula kahiko. Leina'ala began her halau in 1975 and it is a non-profit organization comprised of thrity-two students.

Wiley — Honolulu Charles Scott Hoolulu May Charles Scott Hoolulu May, nicknamed Hapa, traces his roots through Kipikane Parker, Kamehameha grand daughter and through George Mooheau Beckley to Hoolulu. He is a graduate of Punahou, Menlo College and Uniuersity of Hawaii with a Master of Business Administration. He is also President and majority owner of Cardinal Mailing Seruices, Ltd. Always interested in the culture of Hawai'i, he is a Director of Mainaka Aialo, a member of OHA's Eeonomie Deuelopment Aduisory Committee, past Treasurer and Director o/ Hawaiian Businessmen's Association, and a member of Healani Canoe Club.