A few years ago me and my family went on a journey with staffers from my former employer. We visited the storied place called Ka`ena. It was early morning with the sun shining bright we made our way through Ka`ena, the same route taken by Ka`opulupulu and his son and where he prepared the chant of betrayal and the huli of our nation to be recited before his last breath. It was like walking into the past, no homes, no roads, just wandering spirits searching for the pathway to Po.
We stopped at Leina and gave our respects. Respects owed by us to our ancestors who make the final leap and are welcomed by the elders who await their return. The connections are intertwined with the `aina, our spirit and our homeland, Kahiki. Pound those pahu loud so our ancestors may hear us, do not stop the chants let it force the Kai`aulu winds to summon the warrior clan of Kakuhihewa ma whose descendants are many. Lihu'e, Makua, Mokuleia is where they are, the keepers of Kukaniloko.
We finally reached Kalae o Ka`ena, turned towards the mountain and gazed at Pue`o and the weather torn cliffs of Nenele`a. Why would these foreigners put up a fence in this area where our Kupuna once held as a Wahi pana, a sacred place? Hewa kela!.............Hewa Kela!
Mahalo, e Lenneth, as you speak the names of the wahi pana and reclaim the mo'olelo of the ancestors who came before i can hear the beating of the pahu . . . the heart beat of this aina - Ola Ka'ena!
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