07/24/2020
❤️
Let me make something clear. I see many people posting regarding the protests that are happening and from those who are worried about their vacations being ruined. Here’s some food for thought ——
You come here
- to see a luau (Hawaiian cultural gathering which through the hula shares the stories and battles we Hawaiians had gone through)
- to see waterfalls (we fight for those waters to flow freely)
- to swim in our ocean (we protect that water as that is our food source)
-to watch hula (a Hawaiian cultural practice)
That lei you want to wear? It is a Hawaiian tradition that has been passed down through many generations. You visit Haleakala? We have fought to keep that mountain pristine. The caves you want to see, are battle grounds with bloodshed. When you sit outside your condos and stare across that ocean and see that beautiful island of Kahoolawe in the distance? Just know that our people fought very hard to stop the U.S bombing of that island which ruined any water source there was, as a matter of fact, those same people who saved that island are standing on our beautiful mauna getting arrested for trying to save it.
Many of those grumbling have no idea how hard we have fought throughout the years to keep our island from further desecration. You heard the song, “Somewhere over the rainbow” by Iz? Go listen to the rest of his albums as he talks about our land getting taken away. I encourage you to do so.
The hotels you stay in are located on graveyards of our ancestors who’s bones were removed so a coconut tree and 5 story unit could take its place.
Take a moment and read the true history of Hawaii. Everything you love about Hawaii is because of our people, our love for our land and our Aloha. You come here because you are drawn to our islands (the spirit some says). You come here because of Us, my people, us Hawaiians, who are in a constant battle with keeping our place sacred.
Many don’t even know what aloha is so let me explain: Alo=our face, presence ha= breath. Aloha= when we show aloha and when we live aloha it is meaning we share that breath with you, you give me life and I give you life. When we native Hawaiians greet each other, we do so by placing our foreheads together and we share a breath. A deep sense of life. We work together. We come together. Those who do not share or respect our cultural practices and values, If you feel you’ll be bothered by our peaceful protest to maintain the existence for our culture, then by all means don’t come.
Unlike many, we have a culture we live for, we have our kids to look out for, we have our people’s existence as native Hawaiians to care for, and we have a culture to protect!!! ✊🏽We don’t care how much money you spend on your vacation, we have always realized you cannot eat money. We care how respectful you are to our land, because our land will always provide for us from the mountain to the sea.
