Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 20, Number 6, 1 June 2003 — In trying times, we must reflect on shining accomplishments to inspire, guide us [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

In trying times, we must reflect on shining accomplishments to inspire, guide us

By La France KapakaArboleda Editor's note: La France Kapaka-Arboleda is the current OHA Community Resource Coordinatorfor Kauad and NLihau. She has been a member ofthe Kaua"i/Ni"ihau īsland Burial Council since its ineepūon and a practitioner of Ho"oponopono. During these trying times as Native Hawaiians, reflection must be given to the degree of accomplishments we have reached. Foremost, on my mind, is the creation of the Island Burial Councils. I pay humble tribute to all those courageous warriors at the battle front of Honokahua both past and present. Their actions became the rallying eall for change. A eall that allowed for a working process that has proven itself many times over in determining protocol and responsibility in the care and disposition of our Iwi Kupuna. Within many aspects, these individuals braved the challenges, and not without pain or discord, but with clear

knowledge of accepting the kuleana (responsibility) of those ancestors who passed this earthly existence. In cases where the determining process has not been optimum and accountable, they continue to work with the process. Reaching decisions with notification of direct 'ohana and/or cultural affiliation as team members both Hawaiians and non-Hawaiians has its challenges. Yet, they strive to overcome and continue to the best of their ability. The passage and implementation of Hawai'i's burial law proves beyond a doubt that as a people we ean eome together for the benefit of those unknown, make prudent decisions and assume kuleana without discord. It has been my privilege to be reared by grandparents in the traditional hanai system. Unknown to me as a child, nurtured within the bosom of my Tutu Wahine, preparation began to assume the awesome responsibility as a member of the Kauai/Niihau Island Burial Council. Her teachings were entwined with

genealogical family history and areas of kanu of our ohana. Direct instructions of the preservation of the kino, and preparation of iwi were routinely transferred. My Tutu Wahine used this subject of teaching as a matter of preparation should she pass on prior to me becoming an adult. Her eoneem was the possibility of losing our home and I not being able to continue to live in a home built by my Tutu Kane. She made me understand that should she be called away, I would put into plaee the teachings of preserving her physical body until such time that I became an adult. So awesome was this thought that my daily prayers with her would always request that she live forever. My Tutu Wahine lived to the age of 98 years. Our prayers were answered; she lived to see me to adulthood, a wife and also a mother. How important her teachings have been to me. It has allowed me the ability to discern in a quiet, still way, the voice of our Kupuna.

When they allow themselves to be found through development or natural causes, the following advice is given: WE do not use them for personal hidden agendas. WE do not use them as "power brokers" in deciding merits of project development. WE must acknowledge them as individuals who were born and from whom we descend. WE must continue to distinguish genealogical connections direct or indirect so individual healing of 'ohana ean occur within the context of the process. WE need to allow for the perpetual knowledge and care for the iwi and area of kanu, thereby lessening the kuleana for our children. WE need to focus on the next generations'responsibility to the living but, always with the respect of those gone by. May we continue to acknowledge issues that binds and builds us as native people instead of issues that divide us. He Hawai'i Au. ■

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Donald B. Cataluna Vice Chair, Trustee, Kaua'i and Ni'ihau