Bottom side of piko stone from Ka'ulu. – Courtesy photo by Chris Monahan

Alika Poe Silva

Aloha no 'ohana, I am writing regarding why our ancestors' iwi and our Hawaiian Kingdom State war memorials are being systematically desecrated and destroyed by the U.S. military and government.

As we noted in our KWO commentary, our 'ohana's iwi desecrated at Mauna Lahilahi by the city and the desecration of our Hawaiian Kingdom State war memorials and traditional cultural properties (TCPs) that the U.S. Army is responsible to protect are obligatory for protection by international law.

Why did the U.S. Army allow new Lono ahu with Hui Mālama in Mākua Valley and violate their own law! Lono tradition is alien to Kanehunamoku-Mākua Valley. The U.S. Army is based on hierarchy, control and government-militarism, and we ask that the Office of Hawaiian Affairs ensures the protection of our Hawaiian sites!

The Kāne traditions are based on knowledge, understanding and insight through the kupuka'āina (original Kāne people from that place). Remember, 'ohana, what our kūpuna knew, practiced and taught us. It is about the path of the Sun — nānā ka lā, nānā 'ike kumu and nānā i ka piko. We know Kūkaniloko is the center of O'ahu. Our 'ohana knows why these connections and the Kāne religion are of traditional cultural significance and why Kanehunamoku-Mākua Valley is directly tied to Kūkaniloko and being significant world and national treasures. These sites are highly significant components of the Mākua Valley TCPs given their spiritual importance as a symbol of the center of Life as the life-giving qualities of the god Kāne; 'āina birth; of the connection between the kupuka'āina and the landscape (see photo). The ancestors piko ma'i connotes the sexual organ, and the “higher self” or consciousness of the po'o, the crown of the head (Blaisdell 1993).

In this context, the piko stone of Kūkaniloko and Mākua are as valuable, and symbolically important, as the Arc of the Covenant and other well-known religious objects throughout the world that crystallize a peoples' beliefs on many levels. The fact that these objects were formed entirely by nature, rather than by the hand of man, does not diminish its significance: the raw material, volcanic rock, without which there would be no land to live upon, and its natural manufacture make it even more spiritually valuable. The fact that these objects are significant to the kupuka'āina is irrelevant in a historic-preservation or world-treasures sense — what our kūpuna knew and taught us is vitally valuable to us and the future generations to come.

Concerning our Hawaiian Kingdom State war memorials in Mākua Valley, Līhu'e in Wai'anae, and Wahiawā, they must be better protected by OHA. Spirit and intent are vitally needed! How many times do we have to make agreements with the U.S. Army (August 2006) and the SHPD (September 2001) for them to follow their section 106 TCP Model Study Law to protect our Hawaiian national treasures and sacred 'āina?

'Ohana please kōkua and call upon OHA to assist, and in your prayers, pray for the speedy return of our Hawaiian Kingdom State so we may save our history, traditions and national treasures! Also ask OHA to do its own TCP study for these cultural landscapes to clarify significant components and the cultural value of our ancestors' sacred sites for preservation from illegal military occupation since 1893.

Remember, 'ohana, the wisdom of our Queen Lili'uokalani — her spirit is always with us. “A hiki mai ke aloha (come with love), a e pono mai ana (come with righteousness), Kekahekakai kapu a Kāne (sacred is Kane).” A me “ 'Onipa'a kākou (seek justice my people).”

Aloha no 'ohana for your kōkua. Stay tuned for Part 5. I 'O lako 'ohana, ua mau ke ea o ka 'āina i ka pono.

This is the fourth in a series of commentaries.

Editor's note: Alika Poe Silva is Kahu Kulaiwi, Koa Mana, Kupuka'āina o Wai'anae,
Hawaiian National. The views expressed in this community forum do not necessarily
reflect the views of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.