Mauna Lahilahi viewed from Kaneikapualena heiau. Photo: Courtesy of Alika Silva.

Tyranny and Iwi Exposed
at Mauna Lahilahi

PART ONE | TWO OF TWO

By Alika Poe Silva

Our ancestors' iwi were uncovered on Oct. 10 by the City and County of Honolulu at Mauna Lahilahi when heavy construction equipment was used to clear the site. The City and County knew or should have known that ancestral Hawaiian remains were in the area because of previous communication with the City and County, the State Historic Preservation Division and the State Historic Preservation Officer.

Mauna Lahilahi is a site that is sacred to Kāne. In addition to ancestral burials, Mauna Lahilahi has rare petroglyphs and astronomical significance. It is an important site in the Kāne religion's recognition of the June solstice, and it represents both Papa as the earth, and Wākea because Lahilahi is the name of his home. This is what our kūpuna knew, practiced and taught us.

Mauna Lahilahi is also known as the eyes of Wai'anae. The saying is, if you have not been to Lahilahi you have not seen Wai'anae. Our Wai'anae kūpuna also say that Lahilahi is the ku'ula for Kāne and for the land called Kāne-huna-moku.

This violation of our traditions and religion is one more of a seemingly endless assault not only on the sites of the Hawaiian people, but also on the Kāne religion and traditions. The Kāne religion and its traditions have survived for thousands of years in the middle of the pond, yet it has been overlooked and misunderstood.

Much has been written and talked about of the Kū-Lono traditions and the Pele traditions and practices, but much less is known about the Kāne religion and traditions, especially as it continues to be practiced in Wai'anae. Our 'ohana deliberately built Kāne'īlio, Kāne'aki, Kaneikapualena and other Kāne sites to physically and spiritually illustrate that life is sacred to Kāne. These sites connect and triangulate with the piko of O'ahu (Kūkaniloko). When the sun first appears in the East from the top of the Ko'olau Mountains at Ka'aumakua, the ceremony of Kāne begins again. The golden flower of Kāne makes its journey over Kūkaniloko and then Ka'ala and the Sun-teeth digs in deeply at Lahilahi. The Kaiāulu winds of Wai'anae stir and rise to action and the Kumaomao winds of Kamaile awaken to relieve the pain to the land. The golden flower reaches over Mauna Lahilahi in to the shoals of the sea to a place called Pō (Spirit place) located in the west, where the sun sets. That is one of the reasons that the terrestrial location of Kane-huna-moku continues to be huna today.

In September 2001, we made an oral contract for a memorandum of agreement with the SPHD to consult with the Wai'anae lineal descendants regarding protection and preservation of Wai'anae's family and Kāne sites. The desecration that took place at Mauna Lahilahi is not only cultural desecration for all Hawaiians but heartbreakingly personal to the lineal descendants whose iwi were disinterred.

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs needs to hold the SHPD and the SHPO accountable for its failures whether by negligence or intent, and it needs to provide legal remedies for the wrongs permitted. Also, OHA needs to insure that there are meaningful consequences for the result of their violations. Stay tuned for Part 2.

Finally, some wisdom from Tūtū Lili'uokalani: “A hiki mai ke aloha (come with love), a e pono mai ana (come with righteousness), Ke kahekakai kapu a Kāne (sacred is Kāne).” A me, “ 'Onipa'a Kākou (seek justice, my people).” Mahalo nō, Kāne lako 'ohana, ua mau ke ea o ka 'āina i ka pono.

Alika Poe Silva, Kahu Kulāiwi, Koa Mana, Kupuka'āina o Wai'anae, Moku, O'ahu, Hawaiian National.