Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 18, Number 7, 1 July 2001 — Hawaiian cemeteries [ARTICLE]

Hawaiian cemeteries

Every day, I watch with great sadness as Kanaka Hawai'i Maoli,

brothers, sisters and kupuna die while waiting for our stolen lands to be returned. These are good, talented and intelligent people. Many of them have been long-suffering, dedicated warriors in the struggle for independence. Some of us are recognized examples of how poorly nā kānaka have survived under the American way . of life. We have spent our lives living in poverty and sickness while surrounded by an oeean of material weakh. Before, we could only give heartfelt mahalo; now we must honor and mālama i nā kānaka for years of steadfast kū'ē. I propose that the State of Hawai'i, OHA and the Hawaiian Homes Commission take the lead together in setting aside 'āina on eaeh of the islands for sacred cemeteries for all kanaka Hawai'i maoli. We must put our own to rest with dignity and aloha. The least we ean do is cover burial costs and provide final resting places for the iwi of our beloved kanaka. Certainly the financial and political means exist to make this a reality now. I find it sad but necessary to propose that we give our kupuna in death what they were unable to have in life. Let us not let them vanish into the sunset. Butch Kekahu Kapa 'a