Nānā I Nā Kūpuna
Trust in the knowledge of the ancestors, which is what Papa Mau had that made it possible for him to guide Hokulea to Tahiti through waters unknown to him. That is an important lesson available to anyone who is open to it. This was the case for Gail Loofbourrow, a labor and delivery nurse, who experienced the power of aumakua during a difficult birth, “Even if I do not understand a word or belief at the moment I need to respect what I hear and know that it is true. This has led to a wonderful journey toward a greater understanding of those who were here first and set an example of true aloha in the way they live their lives.” We did not arrive to this moment alone, through our own efforts, but through the grace of those who traveled before us. When the Polynesian voyaging canoes embark on their journey of circumnavigation, they will really be traveling backwards at the same time as they are moving forward--back across the centuries when voyagers found their way here, but also forward to show the path of survival and human sustainability. They are an example of what can be accomplished by returning to and living the traditional values of Aloha:
A: Ahonui---Patience, perseverance
L: Lokahi---Harmony, agreement
O: ʽOhana---Working together for a common goal.
H: Haʽahaʽa---Humility
A: Akahai---Grace, gentleness
The Makaliʽi, this island’s voyaging canoe, was built because a core group of people, led by Clay Bertelmann and the Bertelmann ʽOhana, persevered with quiet patience. With ego on hold, a hana nui attitude and an atmosphere of harmony focused on a common goal the Makaliʽi was born. Even in the face of their amazing accomplishment, the extended canoe ʽohana maintains an attitude of humility and grace. Aloha continues to work miracles every Saturday as many hands work together to ready Makaliʽi for her next big voyage, with every volunteer, no matter how humble their contribution, being acknowledged with appreciation.
It has been suggested that the impetus for the original voyaging canoe was an insufficiency of resources and that the island worked together to create a vessel that would journey to find a place for the people to thrive and grow. Their journey, the first of many, was successful and Hawaii was born. The first Polynesians here made use of the abundant resources to flourish and maintain a life that was grounded in sustainability practices, while at the same time European culture was making its way from the East. Unlike the finite world of island living, the vast North American continent with seemingly vast resources did not require conservation practices. These two worlds met in Hawaii and now we are seeing the results of a mindset of endless resources to be exploited.
The sustainable practices of the first Hawaiians are being slowly reclaimed as we prepare to face water and food shortages that threaten our survival. “He waʽa he moku, he moku he waʽa,” (The canoe is an island and the island is the canoe) are words at the core of master navigator, Chadd Paishon’s philosophy. The voyaging canoes are both metaphor and a practical lesson in sustainability, as well as perpetuating the wisdom of Aloha. In that spirit, Hokulea will be making a statewide voyage to connect with island communities that are engaging in quiet, steady efforts towards sustainability and an island world based in and blessed with Aloha. Mahalo ke Akua