#alohaaina

Protect Mauna Kea

Most of you must’ve heard about the events in Hawaii. I am not Hawaiian myself, but I do believe in people, in nature, in tradition and in morality. I believe in taking care of our planet, I believe in respect and in kindness. Nothing should come at the price of other people.

@kanielaing: “You don’t have to be Hawaiian to understand the dangerous precedent this sets. Mauna Kea impacts all of us. It’s an environmental struggle against wealthy developers who seek free reign. [...] We’re not concerned about how many passive dollars this will bring our economy. We are concerned about whether we will be able to breathe in 20 years, or be out of fresh water, or have any space left in our sacred places, or if the beaches we grew up in will still be there.”

@therock Dwayne Johnson:  “This is not about stopping the progress of science. I’ll always be an advocate for science advancement, but not at the expense of human beings who are hurting. When we lead with empathy, we make progress through humanity. [...] Because in the end, that’s really the only thing that matters - people.

@protectmaunakea : “This isn’t about science versus culture, this is about right and wrong. Doing right by the land and its people by protecting a mountain that gives us water and life. A mountain that is the tallest in the world from the sea floor up. This is about protecting our sacred land from further desecration.”

@prideofgypsies Jason Momoa: “With all due respect to the pursuit of scientific knowledge, we must always protect what is sacred to our people. I believe your telescope can be built in a place where it is wanted. If you stay, we will stay.”

Maori for Mauna Kea

Sunday, November 17, 2019 Kia’i ke Kahaukani: Lā 84 Mauna Kea: Lā: 129

Today, many of us have Kalaeloa / Kahuku on the forefront of our hearts/minds. As part of our hui will be making their way out to Kalaeloa tonight to answer the kahea and stand in solidarity, I'll be praying for all who continue to put their bodies on the line because of their ancestral sukubun / kuleana to mālama 'āina  - including all the kia'i at Kalaeloa, Hūnānāniho, Kahuku, and Mauna Kea.   I also continue to hold close to my heart and in my prayers all those across the Pacific and back on Turtle Island who who are working to protect and heal our precious land and water. In my dreams last night, I saw the tears and laughter lines on the faces of some of our brave elders holding the line at Henoko. They couldn't hear me when I tried to speak to them,  but they smiled when I joined hands with the kia'i and fellow Shimanchu here on these islands and sang... On that note, the crew here at Bachman continue to hold protocol 3x daily, every day at 8am, noon, and sunset*. 

At 4pm today, some of Kumu Snowbird's haumana will be leading our weekly workshop. If you're in the area, come join us to learn/practice the hula, mele, oli, and pule used in protocol for the Mauna. 

*Quick reminder that sunset 'aha here at Bachman / Wise Field will now be held at 5pm, starting today.

Ku Kia’i Mauna! Rise For Henoko! Together, We Rise!!