Kealoha Pisciotta, October 5th 2014
I wish to pause for a moment to reflect upon the Mauna (Mountain) and I have extracted some thoughts from my past writings (“No Aloha or Aloha No”, 2001 and KAHEA: The Hawaiian Environmental Alliance publication: “Protecting Cultural Resources and Rights: Mauna to Makai”, 2010) that were inspired by the Mauna and that I share in honor of Mauna Kea:
Sometimes the actions of others can create an environment of non-peace. Such is the case with the TMT. When this happens we are deeply saddened, our hearts become heavy with anger and resentment, and defensive feelings come to the forefront of our being. This is justified, understandable, even reasonable. No matter if you are following the laws of the occupier (US) or the laws of the Kingdom of Hawai`i, all laws are a construct of civilization (made by man) for the purpose of helping us live in peace and harmony. In this case, however, we would be remiss if we did not honor the sacred nature of Mauna Kea also.
Mauna Kea holds a special place on Earth, as it stands as a place of peace and Aloha, not just for Hawai`i but for the world. Many sacred places of the world hold ancient wisdom bound in ritual and ceremony for this time in our history, to help us all heal ourselves and the world. Mauna Kea is one of those places. It is because Mauna Kea resides in Wao Akua--the realms of the Akua (God and Gods); and that it specifically does not reside in the realms of Na Kanaka (Man) that its sanctity is governed by the laws of the Heavens and not by the laws of Man. For it is only on Mauna Kea that one’s breath can be seized in a moment never to be returned.
So when we walk on the sacred ground in the sacred realms, we are bound by the laws of the Akua, not our own. The Mauna was created by the Akua for man so that he/she could learn the ways of the Heavens. And encoded in the very landscape of Mauna are the great songs of Creation—the first songs of Aloha — and they were sung for us by the Akua to bring us into being and to help bring us into alignment with the Akua—Ke Akua, Na Akua and Na ‘Aumakua.
These are the love songs that set the first law of the land in motion—the law of Aloha. The Akua are the great composers of these songs, and when sung, the Akua walk the earth with man, just as Tutu Pele honors us with her dance today. Their Aloha flows and envelops us in the beauty that surrounds us. Mauna Kea is the great magnifier/amplifier so the songs of Aloha are magnified/amplified for all to see, feel and hear.
Aloha is also a sacred word that comes from the time of Creation and Creator, and although man can us it, man cannot profane it. When we utter the sacred word of Aloha, we invoke the spirit of Aloha, and when Aloha is in action, it is felt on all levels and what is contrary cannot exist simultaneously. One can’t be in the Aloha and the absence of it all at the same time. This means that each person engaged in Aloha is bound to the principles of truth and right action. When Aloha is enacted, our actions are overseen by the Akua. Each participant can act as he or she chooses but is responsible for his or her own actions and intentions nevertheless.
This issue is not about us verses them. It is about the unification of the people and re-imaging the way we wish to live on Earth. So we invoke Aloha in its highest order, we open our hearts so that the Mauna can keep us safe and in right alignment with the Heavens so that all things righteous may be fulfilled.
ALOHA NO!!!
Copyright © 2015 Kealoha Pisciotta. I have shared this information in the spirit of Aloha. It comes from my work but also from my family oral history (mo'olelo) and in order to protect the integrity and genealogy of this knowledge any use distribution, reproduction, modification, display or other use of the content requires the written consent of Kealoha Pisciotta and any unauthorized use is strictly prohibited.
I wish to acknowledge my Kumu and 'Ohana Aunty Kamakahukilani Von Oelhoffen, Mrs. Rubellite Kawena K. Johnson and Kahu O Te Rangi.