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Hawai'i Alaka'i Project (Community Mentor Program) 2004

HAWAI'I 2005
The Arts of Life

The ancient Hawaiians, like most other indigenous peoples, felt an incredible rapport and connection with nature....

Their deep understanding of the natural world order produced in them, for example, the knowledge needed to develop and manage fishponds for productivity over many centuries. Their culture exemplified how the human community can enjoy a harmonious and mutually beneficial relationship with nature.

(from Ancient Sites of O‘ahu, by Van James)

Last year we met with Hawaiian mentor and friend Brother Noland Conjugacion to plan a new array of collaborative programs, camps and workshops in Hawai‘i for 2005. In three separate visits this year—February, June and September—we traveled to the islands of O‘ahu, Moloka‘i and the Big Island for classes, meetings, camps and performances that carried our Hawaiian Arts of Life programs to a new level. We also had time to visit with friends and wahi pana (sacred sites) on the different islands. Like a cresting wave, our projects from the past seemed to curl back on themselves, creating a spiral of new possibilities.

For the sake of reporting, we will summarize in this report our work in February and September. Our June visit to O‘ahu and Moloka‘i is included in a separate report—Nurturing the Roots: Mentor Outreach.

Our visits represented the nineteenth consecutive year of work with the traditional movement in Hawai‘i Nei. Since our early work in 1985 with cultural activists, land issues and the sovereignty movement, our programs have continued to evolve and adapt to island life.

Guided by our Native Hawaiian Advisors Mililani Trask and Yuklin Aluli, together with local cultural practitioners and artists, we have put together a package of survival/awareness skills that appeal to the youth, training their senses to experience the natural world in a way that cultivates connection, understanding and empathy with the remarkable environment of the Hawaiian Islands.

As we continued to deepen our ties with land and life, highlights of our visits included:

O‘ahu

—Work with all the Grade 1 students at KamehamehaElementary School (KES ) in February, walking in the mountains above the campus in the early morning, drawing connections between nature observation and art. We accentuated the skills of silent movement, observation and meditation. In September we returned to work with Grade 1, once again going into the forest above the campus to learn stalking, natural movement, observation skills and firemaking. Kahele Kukea, recently-retired principal of the elementary school, had often asked if we could come to Hawai‘i early in the school year to introduce skills and teachings that the students could work on through the year. This was the first year we were able to honor his request. Thanks to Anna Lee, Faith, Jackie and Kehau, the Grade 1 teachers.

—Work with the Grade 2 students at KES, playing traditional games of the Americas that draw on skills of silence and obervation. These games further the silent movement and observation skills learned in Grade 1. From the blindfold stalking games “Rattlesnake” and “Steal the Firewood” to the stalking of a deer outside the classroom, these games delighted the students and teachers. Thanks to Joyce Ahuna Ka‘ai‘ai and all the Grade 2 teachers.

—A day with Brad Cooper and about 100 Grade 7 students from the Kamehameha Schools mid-school campus in February. Topics included the Thanksgiving Address, survival skills, the connections between Polynesian wayfinding and hard-ground tracking, extending our senses and natural awareness. In September, our scheduled hike of the upper campus was canceled due to rain, but we spent a fascinating day in class, listening to Brad tell the story of the 1795 battle of Nu‘uanu and connecting our teachings of nature observation to the incredibly detailed names the traditional Hawaiians had for each layer of their natural world, from the top of the mountain to the shore and on to the deepest depths of the ocean. Our thanks as always to Brad, who has worked with us since the early 1990’s.

—Our annual visit with longtime friend, teacher and world famous ceramicist Toshiko Takaezu.

—Meetings with friend author/naturopath Dr. LoriKimata in Honolulu and a visit to her new land in Haleiwa to plan for future gatherings around health, food and nature.

Brother Noland

We first connected with Brother Noland and his wife Heidi through the Alaka‘i Project , our Hawaiian mentor program (2002–2004). Since that time, we have continued to deepen our mutual work through a number of collaborations. Noland has introduced us to his network in Hawai‘i and he has joined the staff of TheTracking Project . In May of this year Noland and Heidi traveled to New Mexico to take part in our mentor program with the Cottonwood School as mentors. A complete list of projects and events would require too much space, but the highlights include:

— Quest for Fire and Secrets of Natural Movement, presentations on the power of animals, martial arts, tracking and firemaking for Brother Noland’s PowerPlay program with the YWCA. In this seven week after-hours basketball clinic, the youth were exposed to mentors and guest speakers with a broad range of knowledge—from wayfinding and tracking to music, hula, cooking and martial arts. This knowledge is then applied to their lives, helping them “take their game to the highest level.” Kulia ka nu‘u. We took part in PowerPlay once in February and twice in September. Thanks to Noland, Coaches Clay & Jeff and the YWCA.

—Ongoing teachings with the Kamalama Project , sponsored by the Pacific American Foundation. Through Noland we have met and worked with 30–35 hauma-na (students) and alaka‘i (mentors) in a variety of settings, sharing our stories and teachings. In February, Marina Martinelli, one of our Projeto Pegadas students from Brazil, joined us for our Kamalama presentation.

—Meeting in February at Chaminade College with the activity coordinators from most of the universities and community colleges in Hawai‘i, presenting our “menu” of possible future presentations and leadership camps.

—Performing with Noland and his band One TribeAloha as the opening act for Cecilio & Kapono’s 35th reunion concert in September at the Hilton Waikaloa on the Big Island. John Stokes also joined Noland for the opening of Hawai‘i’s Children and Youth Monthat the State Capitol in Honolulu.

—Driving along the coast of East Moloka‘i, learning to spot the schools of fish and read the Hawaiian waters with the eye of a fisherman.

—A visit to the Mountain Apple recording studios to meet John di Mello and listen to songs from Brother Noland’s upcoming CD.

Pa- honu enclosure traditionally used to hold turtles, near Waima-nalo, O‘ahu.

Wahi Pana

The Hawaiian islands are filled with wahi pana (sacred sites) of all kinds. From individual sacred stones and birthing sites to huge stone platforms and gathering places, these sites represent concentrations of mana or spiritual energy. In some cases, whole regions have been designated as wahi pana . Being aware of these sites, caring for them and treating them with respect has been a strong theme of our Hawaiian elders.

This year we were able to visit many of our favorite sites on eastern O‘ahu: the Wizard Stones at Waiký-ký- (four Tahitians healers who came centuries ago and left their mana in these four stones); the extinct volcanic crater Kohelepelepe ; the rock formation known as Pele’s Chair ; the beach and cliffs at Makapu‘u (landing site of a powerful Tahitian spirit); Pa-honu pond near Kaiona Beach Park where turtles were kept for the ali‘i; the Ulupo-heiau near Kailua; and Kanepolu, a basalt formation at the entrance to Lani Kai marking the site where a legendary man was born, grew up and died on the same day.

Land and sea, land and life. Our work in Polynesia has grown too rich for words. We will continue to bridge the teachings of wayfinding (the art of Non- Instrument Navigation) and principles of hardground tracking, working on an awareness curriculum which will be applicable anywhere on this planet. Our work in Hawai‘i continues to nurture and inspire us. We send our finest thoughts and our deepest aloha to the Hawaiian people for their strength, ingenuity and hospitality.

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