June 7, 2020. And here we are...HULIAU

Drizzly mists swirl gently up here this morning.  Iʻve been contemplating, watching, musing, the tumult in America.  By turns fascinated, disgusted, appalled, and now encouraged.  It seems that "huliau" is entirely appropriate to describe these times.  I pray that there is change.  Positive change for all.  

huli.au

1. n. Turning point, time of change. ʻO ka hoʻohui ʻāina, he huliau ia no Hawaiʻi, annexation was a turning point for Hawaiʻi.

2. vi. To think of the past, recall the past. Ua ʻākoakoa mākou no ka huliau ʻana, we gathered together to recall the past.

I pray that our leadership, at all levels, are paying attention, though itʻs abundantly obvious that some arenʻt and canʻt be bothered.  Iʻve been cursing, gesticulating at scenes on TV, wondering is NOW the time?  Yes.  Itʻs indisputable that Black people in America have been mistreated in North America for 401 years, beginning with the arrival of the first ship transporting slaves from Africa to the East Coast.  There have been centuries of abuse and discord, causing rancor on the part of Blacks.  

Please make time to listen:

Throughlines American Police

Some in Hawaiʻi nei may not be familiar with the struggles of Black people, and may lack personal experience or insight with those struggles, other than that gleaned from Media.  But watching events unfold over the last two weeks have shaken many awake.

Police Brutality, Inattentiveness to Health issues, Economic Plight and Blight, not understanding, or worse, not caring or wanting to understand The Others amongst us, have helped us all arrive here.  All of us.  Collectively.  Itʻs been heartening to see the multi...everybodys Marching and Demanding.  Standing and Sitting Quietly and Demanding.  No More...

We have our own issues in Hawaiʻi nei.  Native Hawaiians at the bottom of many socio-economic indices.  Entrenched politicians and bureaucracies and unions [Term Limits, anyone?] Systems that donʻt work.  Bureaucrats comfortable with the status quo.  There remain thousands of our citizens waiting for Unemployment Insurance Benefits.  An antiquated computer system and political leaders unaware, unable, unwilling to see that they are the problem.  Too much backscratchslapping and winking.  Petty bickering, worse than in elementary school, amongst supposed "Leaders".  Since they seem unable to get it together, itʻs become abundantly clear we need to help them.

VOTE!

Vote them out of office.  Demand change.  Stop being complacent and compliant.  Demand answers.  Demand accountability.  Demand that blank-faced bureaucrats whose mantra is No Can...Demand that they get out of the way.  Demand Policy Change.  Repeal and Rewrite Laws and Rules.  If "Cannot", fix the laws so Can!

My scribbling and ranting wonʻt solve the problem, but if there is collective will, anything is possible.  In the meantime...

Friend Eric Franke, a photographer:  https://ericfrankephoto.darkroom.tech/

generously shared photos he captured on June 3, 2020 at Maniniʻōwali and Kua Bay.  His timing was perfect.  I needed the huliau, to recall the past, to remember that day 48 years ago when guided by Tōb, I met Maniniʻōwali.  We had backpacked in along the coast from the then new Keāhole Airport.  We got to Kahoʻiawa, at the foot of Kuili, and I said Iʻm done.  Nuff aready.  Too hot and tired to be bothered.  Tōb said No No No...come over here...and there, at the lae at Punaloa he pointed out the clean white sand, just a small pocket... over there... Below, Punaloa is that little black point on the distant horizon.

Above, the long rock just in front of Eric is Maniniʻōwali.  Her story can be found in "Kona Legends" a classic by Eliza D. Maguire.  Kuili is the hump on the left horizon, and yes, the sparkling Maniniʻōwali blue waters of Kua Bay beckon still.  Especially on mornings when only a handful of people are there.

Above, manini and friends, among them weke and kūpīpī, explore Maniniʻōwali...

And thatʻs how today is celebrated, with both definitions of HULIAU activated, looking toward a future of positive change, while remembering those idyllic sunsoaked days, wandering barefoot on brown pāhoehoe, skin and hair scented with monoi, playing in the waters, and smiling.

As always, with aloha.

BobbyC
maniniowali@gmail.com