Renaissance is real
In 1968, when the initial telescope on Mauna a Wakea drew first light, many young Native Hawaiians were largely indifferent (my opinion, based on growing up on Hawaiian Homeland in Keaukaha surrounded by other young Native Hawaiians) to the events which led to that significant moment. The narrative that controlled the conversations were largely influenced by Western thinking and the need for natives to assimilate into that framework.
Case in point: As a youngster, my grandparents would never speak Hawaiian in front of us. My siblings, cousins and I were always sent away whenever our grandparents wanted to carry on a conversation in the native vernacular. My grandmother, a schoolteacher, always stressed the need to learn standard English in order to conform to the cultural expectations of a Western world order — a seemingly natural evolution since the illegal occupation of the Hawaiian Kingdom.
Circa 1970, and the ensuing years: A resurgence in many things Hawaiian. Most notable: Hawaiian music.
Gabby Pahinui and the Sons of Hawai‘i, Hui Ohana, Sunday Manoa, Na Keonimana, The Beamer Brothers and Hilo’s own Da Blahalas of Keaukaha, to name a few. The Merrie Monarch was beginning to emerge as the premiere hula event in the islands and soon to be — the world. Pidgin Comedy (Rap Replinger, Booga-Booga, Andy Bumatai), traditional Hawaiian crafts/practices (La‘au Lapa‘au), and Hawaiian studies (formal and informal), to name a few.
The advent of the Polynesian Voyaging Society renewed interest in ancient navigation techniques and gave rise to the iconic double-hulled canoe, Hokule‘a.
Simultaneously, socio-political forces also reared its timely head. In 1976, Protect Kaho‘olawe Ohana sued the Navy to protect the island. Other notable land struggles included Kalama Valley and Waiahole/Waikane.
Following the overthrow, the provisional government outlawed the Hawaiian language in public schools and government. This conformed to the premise that if one wants to destroy a people, one must first destroy their language. This was never to be. In 1978, Hawaiian was reinstated as one of the state’s two official languages. In 1984, things began to change as the revitalization of the Hawaiian language took a step forward with the founding of Punana Leo preschool.
I think the point is made that, try as they may, those 13 lawyers and businessmen who led the 1893 coup could not suppress the Hawaiian culture forever. The Hawaiian Renaissance is not a figment of a Western imagination. It is real! The protectors of the mauna are the product of an indigenous people who have rediscovered their cultural roots and awakened to the fact that cultural oppression need no longer be the norm. And, yes, there are those who will be inconvenienced by this new, or rather old, way of doing things.
In today’s world, my grandparents would have encouraged us to sit and dialog with them in Hawaiian. That’s because so much has changed in the last 50 years. A nation reclaiming its history and pride has rediscovered we are not worthless and undeserving, and that other ethnocentric societies really “don’t know” what’s best for us. I used to feel like that, but not anymore!
I hope there can be a compromise, but I, like may others, don’t see one. There are two places to build the Thirty Meter Telescope, but only one place to truly live and celebrate the uniqueness of the Hawaiian culture. As long as they adhere to the principles of civil disobedience and kapu aloha, I fully support and encourage the protectors of Mauna a Wakea!
Clayton Kua
Hilo