Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 20, Number 10, 1 October 2003 — September 7 a proud day for Hawaiians [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

September 7 a proud day for Hawaiians

The ua (rain) fell softly and gently in the early morning hours, a sign from the gods that an important event was about to take plaee and an assurance from the heavens that our kūpuna (those who have gone on before us) were joined to us spiritually as we witnessed the awe inspiring events that took plaee. The day was Sept. 7, 2003, a historic day that will prove pivotal for Hawaiians. As the marchers began to gather in the early morning hours, the tiny drop of red symbolizing Hawaiian blood shed for the many injustices to their causes turned into a massive sea of blood as over 5,000 people joined in a march that stretched for miles down Kalākaua Avenue that symbolized years of injustice to causes dear to the heart of Hawaiian people. Every Hawaiian cause was represented. OHA walked for the few who consistently battle to see the Office disbanded and Hawaiian programs ended. Kamehameha

Schools walked because of those Hawaiian children that won't be educated because of those who insist that what was left by a Hawaiian princess to educate children of her beloved nation be given to those who insist on having what was not left to them. Hawaiian homesteaders walked to keep what was constitutionally mandated when Hawai'i heeame a state. Hawaiian civic clubs walked to ensure that the culture of this state remains strong. Children were pushed in strollers by parents who believe strongly in Hawaiian cultural events and believe that cultural values will continue, so that this sleeping child ean grow up knowing his Hawaiian culture. Hawaiian cultural practitioners dressed in malos and carrying traditional lua implements celebrated the pride that permeates their bones when they continue this ancient art form. Children from Pūnana Leo walked to show the importance of

bringing to life a dying Hawaiian language that is onee again flourishing, thanks to a program aimed at reviving a dying native language. Kūpuna marched to support the pride of knowing that their culture will live on past the few years they have on this earth. There were many other groups represented, but the central theme was the same: Things Hawaiian - to include our culture, our language and our land are vitally important to Hawaiians. This march of unity was a very Hawaiian way of showing the world that we are a separate people proud of our heritage and weary of those who do not appreciate our culture. Cultural pride is universal. Hawai'i being the unique plaee that it is has pockets of culture that we celebrate proudly. We have various beauty pageants that celebrate the Filipino, Japanese and Chinese culture. We have Greek festivals and Portuguese festivals. We have Okinawan festivals and Korean cultural events.

When there is cultural pride, there is an understanding of what it means to celebrate one's history. Sept. 7, 2003 was a proud day for the Hawaiian culture. It was an impressive, massive, united effort to show the world that although Hawai'i is the 50th state of the United States of America, we have a history that reflects what we are proud of: our Hawaiian heritage. It was a united effort by Hawaiians who have seen their lives restored through Hawaiian programs that support the rebuilding of a dying, struggling nation together with those who carry only hope that perhaps they or their children ean someday benefit from the too few programs that exist to onee again exalt this onee proud nation for whom this 50th state is named. Isn't it unfortunate that Hawaiians have been pushed so far down the social ladder that this host nation has to walk for justice in a land that was onee exclusively theirs? ■

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