Mahalo to HiClimb for allowing us to have such as amazing Kānaka themed night. We were beyond excited to spend time answering questions about Native Hawaiian Traditions within the Nu'uanu area. Now that youʻve met most of our Board we hope we can continue the conversations whenever we see each other. Hereʻs some testimonials from the night.
Skye Kolealani and Ka'imi - Kānaka Climbers Board Members
Novemberʻs Kānaka Night focused on the Nuʻuanu area.
The traditional climbing and reasons it was done in these areas.
Before the Pali Trail was carved into the Ko’olauʻs, Kānaka climbed up and down the Pali on their journey across the island. After their climb they rested and traded at locations such as Kapena Falls. Kapena Falls is our recently adopted state park and that area was an off shoot of this traditional trail. Spaces like Kapena Falls are so innately Hawaiian and we hope that with the Mo'olelo shared about the area history and significance we can see more stewards to help us protect and preserve the area.
We went into detail about the times climbing was used by Kānaka Maoli, such as for burials, fishing, hunting, gathering and traversing the islands for trade.
One of our favorite community questions was about how to access areas with respect to culture. The best way is always to take the time to ask for permission to be in a space and donʻt forget to say Mahalo on your way out.
If you start to feel an unwelcome feeling, itʻs best to listen to those instincts.
We look forward to more Moʻelolo Matters conversations and getting to know the community better. See you on the walls.
Carmela, Dustin, and Josh- Community Members and Access Allies.
Carmela- "Really grateful for the opportunity to talk story with Skye, Ka’imi, and the rest of the Kanaka Climbers team! I deepened my understanding of the concept of Aloha when Skye shared how families passing through Nu’uanu and other areas would prepare the space and plant items for those who would come after them, showing what it means to really take care of one another."
- @carmresu
Dustin (Kānaka Climber)- "Favorite part was hearing the history and seeing the interest in non hawaiian climbers when learning about how important 'āina has been to our ancestors and for how long it has been. It was great seeing it click in other people’s heads when they were told that we ask permission when entering spaces."- @dus10curt
Josh (Coahuiltecan Climber)- As an indigenous person to the Americaʻs I really enjoyed that the night was geared towards indigenous communities and conversation. The gym finally felt like a home base for my family and I.- @moroles_jm
Ali- HiClimb Setter, Community Member and Access Ally
"I really enjoyed learning about the use of climbing/repelling when it came to caves burials and the systems that would of been required to move items into caves. I’ve driven over those mountains every day for so many years and know very little about itʻs history and the land access and what to look for when entering a sacred space. I’m born and raised here but my school never really included Hawaiian history into our education. I’ve started to take my own time to do my research and become more aware but itʻs nice to have guidance on how to be more respectful and what to do in situations. Of course something that has been ingrained in me is to ask for permission, be respectful of space, leave it better but its nice to have an educational space where I am free to ask questions." - @yassskweeeeen
Annika and Julian Armstrong- Community Members and Access Allies.
"We loved learning more about the connection between Hawaiian culture, climbing, and how we can respect the land as we explore different areas of the island." - @send.strong
Emily, Noah, Daisy, Randi Uluwehiokalani and Chad- Community Members and Access Allies.
We loved listening to all of the conversations, we are so happy to have a community who is willing to listen and learn together.
Randi- "Conversations like these need to take place more often. These conversations allow people (e.g. na kānaka, local, and visitors) the opportunity to take part in this sport in a more respectful and culturally sensitive manner. 👍🏼
Right on to all of you."- @dr.rubarretto
Mak (Board Member), Semaj, David, Brandon, and Ryan, Community Members, Access Allies and Conservation Warriors.
David- "As someone who didn't grow up on the island, I think that the Kanaka Climber's event is something that all visiting climbers should have the opportunity to learn from. It shed a lot of light onto Hawai'i's unique history and relationship to the land that we should all strive to properly respect, and I truly felt the aloha spirit from everyone there" - @davidhengky97
Semaj- "I really enjoyed learning about the origin of aloha, preparing for the next generation, and how to respectfully ask for peaceful entry into sacred land."- @_ilovegrandma
Ryan- "Well favorite quote from the night was from Ka'imi, kinda goes, come with good intentions to the places you recreate. Take a moment to announce your presence, come with respect, pause for a moment and allow yourself to be accepted into that space. If there is any weird feelings or eerieness to the space you may not be welcomed or maybe you wouldn’t ultimately climb what you wanted to climb." - @ryanschang
Jeremy, Mike and Sonny- Kānaka Climbers Board Members
Jeremy- "I think my favorite part was working on a few climbs with the community.. Second fave was seeing how many people were present for the event. It’s nice to see that support come forward in person."
Photos by: Jovan- "As a person of color and seeing an influx of attendees from various racial backgrounds and many indigenous to the island of Hawaiʻi, creative inspiration became to flow through me as I walked around capturing the passion for a greater sense of awareness for climbing in sacred places. I had no idea rock climbing in nature is so deeply rooted within Hawaiian Tradition. I initially thought climbing was just a sport, but with the help of Kānaka night, Climbing is something to be done with intention, and respect for where and how you go about it. Not only is climbing a sport, but it is a sacred and spiritual practice as well. Thank you for all the attendees and the board members of Kānaka for teaching me the way.
Help us create a more educated outdoor recreational community while preserving nonrenewable cultural resources.
Before the Pali Trail was carved into the Ko’olauʻs, Kānaka climbed up and down the Pali on their journey across the island. After their climb they rested and traded at locations such as Kapena Falls. Kapena Falls is our recently adopted state park and that area was an off shoot of this traditional trail. Our T-shirt Fundraiser aims to raise money for cultural education signs within the state park. Our hope is to create a community that is more invested in the nonrenewable cultural resources at the park, such as the petroglyphs and agricultural terraces. Spaces like Kapena Falls are so innately Hawaiian and once the community has a way to understand the history and significance we hope to have more stewards to help us protect and preserve the area. As well as a space to teach the next generations about our Hawaiian History. Currently the State has not added signage or acknowledge these cultural resources, which has led to damage over the years. If the community isn’t able to connect to the space then we will have no one invested in its protection. Signage and cultural education is the best way forward. All money fundraised will go towards cultural educations signs.
The inspiration behind the shirt design is Traditional activities meeting with todayʻs development. We can honor, respect the Hawaiian culture, through acknowledging our history and sharing it.
Pi’i Pōhaku- To Ascend the Stone.
Shirts will be a one time print only. Only available until Dec 3rd, 2021. Get them while you can.
Mahalo for helping us.
We are excited to be working with a local company, Warrior Printing. Click the link below to order.
Comments