Hawaiian relics vandalized

[The Sushi Bandit]

http://www.hilohawaiitribune.com/
http://www.hilohawaiitribune.com/daily/2003/Nov-13-Thu-2003/news/news1.html

Someone defaced the historic Naha and Pinao stones in front of the Hilo Public Library sometime Tuesday night. Branch librarian Wilma Matsumura said graffiti on the two stones was discovered Wednesday morning by library custodians

[DRoseDARs]

1. What's the significance of the dates?

Didn't see anything in the article 'cept for the significance of the stones.

Here in Reno, Nevada there was an article about the trial of a couple of vandals who defaced an Amerindian site. Said they didn't know it was that important.

Cripes...some people in this world.

[The Sushi Bandit]

4. 1893 was the overthrow of the Hawaiian kingdom

Paul Neves, the alii aimoku or leader of the Royal Order of Kamehameha I, a Hawaiian sovereignty group dedicated to preserving the history of native Hawaiian culture, was appalled by the acts of vandalism.

"I can't imagine any sovereignty group I know of would do anything like that," he said.

The message in the graffiti, if any, was lost on Neves. The first date is one of the most significant in Hawaiian history, marking the date of the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy, but the Naha and Pinao stones have nothing to do with that, Neves said. "I don't know what 2004 has to do with it.

"It's totally inappropriate. Somebody just doesn't know what they're doing," Neves said. "It's a desecration. It's appalling."

[KamaAina]

12. My interpretation: It means "The occupation will end in 2004"

hence the dates of the occupation would be 1893-2004, just like on the stone. A far more appropriate place for such a legend might have been on the Federal Building (not that I would ever advocate such a thing, OHS/FBI lurkers, thank you very much!)

And yes, there are a few pro-sovereignty people who would be pupule (i.e., plumb loco) enough to do such a thing. Bear in mind that there are something like fifteen different major sovereignty groups out there; there are so many that there are two organizations, 'Ilio'ulaokalani and Ka Pakaukau, that serve as inter-agency councils! They range all the way from those, like Ka Lahui Hawai'i, that seek status similar to American Indian tribal status, to the sort of fringe group where one of its six or seven members might just have done the awful deed.

"The occupation will end in 2004"?! I'd happily settle for the occupation of Washington, D.C. to end in (November) 2004!!

[The Sushi Bandit]

14. Being on the mainland is "Driving me pupule"

(credit to 3 plus) I am missing Hilo big time!

[La_Serpiente]

2. GOOD LORD

THOSE a$$HOLES!!! Who the hell would do such a thing? :grr: :evilgrin:

The Naha stone was lifted by the Great Kamehameha and they have the GALL TO VANDALIZE THAT THING!!!! HOW DARE THEY!!!! THAT HAS SO MUCH CULTURAL HISTORY.

I AM OFFENDED AS A NATIVE HAWAIIAN THAT ANYONE WOULD DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT. JUST OUTRAGED. I AM FUMING RIGHT NOW!!!!

IF another Native Hawaiian did this as a joke, they would be killed in ancient Hawaii. PROVE ME WRONG!!!

[roguevalley]

3. Pele, get them.

[keopeli]

5. In 1893, the United States basically took Hawaii from the Hawaiian

Royals. The last monarch was dethroned and the US came in. It's a major point of contention for the Hawaiian natives, somewhat similar the the plight of the American Indians. This grafitti is part of the ongoing battle of the Native Hawaiians to have their message heard.

[keopeli]

6. Of course, who knows who did it...

...there are plenty of people who don't like the Native Hawaiian movements. I personally can not imagine anyone who is pro sovereignty defacing one of these relics. It doesn't make any sense.

[keopeli]

7. and yes, sushi, they would have been killed in those days. NT

[La_Serpiente]

10. I've met some

Native Hawaiians who think the whole culture thing is a joke.

They are "kolohe" in their ways.

However, I really don't think a pro-sovereinty person would do this at all.

[Occulus]

19. I can't imagine who

would be against it... personally, I've never understood why Hawaii (isn't there supposed to be an apostrophe in there somewhere? Hawai'i? Hawa'ii?) should be a state, other than for the obvious strategic and tourism value, which could be solved via treaty.

Am I just crackers or something?

[The Sushi Bandit]

20. It's Hawai'i - more on defacement

http://starbulletin.com/2003/11/14/news/index9.html

Cultural stones’ defacement
leaves Hilo frustrated
Volunteers repair the
vandalism to the stones that
are part of Hawaiian legend

[psychopomp]

8. The main reason I haven't gone to Hawaii

is precisely because of the way that the islands have been systematically stolen from the people and sold to the highest bidder.

A proud people reduced to selling their culture in hotel lobbies while non-natives build up the seashores and pollute the waters.

[La_Serpiente]

9. And who are the ones that have been coming?

ALL THE RICH, DISAFFECTED, WHITE REPUBLICANS FROM TEXAS AND CALIFORNIA!!!They are messing up the coastline.

Clint Eastwood is one of them.

They are trying to own the beach. It is against state law to own any property on the shore.

And they are messing around with the law AND have been drainiing precious water for out environment and farmers.

[colorado_ufo]

15. Well, I'm not rich, but I did have a wonderful visit last year -

first and likely only time I will ever be able to do that. I tried to be a good guest, and when people come to Colorado, I try to be a good host.

Hope you can visit some time!

[northernsoul]

21. I'd like to visit to see the land the authentic culture

I'm not much for golf and mai-tais, but I've always been interested in the flora and fauna of Hawai'i and very impressed with the authentic culture, especially the Huna traditions and the 'spirit of Aloha'

[Character Assassin]

22. Clint Eastwood? Where and how, please

First I've heard of his being involved in real estate in Hawaii.

[KamaAina]

13. Come on out, Psych, the water's fine

well, except for the odd shark attack :-)

A proud people reduced to selling their culture in hotel lobbies

Native Hawaiian culture is increasingly evident nowadays outside the dreaded hotel lobbies. Real hula, not the kind with the coconut-shell bras, is now presented on a city stage right on Waikiki Beach (and, of course, at the Merrie Monarch competition held in Hilo in April). On O'ahu, you can purchase authentic Hawaiian-made crafts at places like Native Books and Beautiful Things.

If it's an immersion cultural experience you seek, why not go to Moloka'i, where over half of the population (of only 7,000) is of Hawaiian ancestry, and Hawaiian culture predominates (the Friendly Isle only recently got its first fast-food joint, and it's at the more touristy west end, not right in town!)?

We need culturally aware visitors like you! I was one myself, once; some of us become culturally aware residents! :-)

[Lydia Leftcoast]

16. I spent two summer sessions at UH Manoa

once in 1977 and once in 1991, and the revival of native Hawaiian culture was quite obvious.

There was a counter-Fourth of July celebration on the UH campus in 1991, with an environmental and Hawaiian sovereignty focus, and it was amazing to hear people give speeches in Hawaiian, a language that was nearly extinct in 1977.

[The Sushi Bandit]

11. More from Honolulu Advertiser

Vandals deface historic Hawaiian stones fronting Hilo Public Library


Records indicate the larger Naha Stone, which is estimated to weigh 3-1/2 tons, was brought to the Big Island from Kaua'i to the Pinao Temple area near the Wailuku River.

The stone was used to test claims that newborn boys were of royal blood. An infant who was placed on the stone was deemed to be Naha if he was silent, and was not of royal blood if he cried.

A high priestess foretold that Kamehameha would need to accomplish a great task of "overthrowing the mountain," and Kamehameha accomplished this by moving the Naha Stone before a gathering of the prophetess Kalaniwahine and gathered spectators, according to interpretive material distributed by the library.

The smaller Pinao Stone is said to have been an entrance pillar of the Pinao Temple.


http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2003/Nov/13/br/br06p.html

[opihimoimoi]

17. Auwe auwe, pilau kaneala, mo bettah make kekei time, poho poi.

Komo mai ai, inu.

[Must_B_Free]

18. Here's the Irony

The so-called "native" Hawaiians making all the fuss are really just invading and occupying Tahitians.

They got here and found the original inhabitants, the Mu, the Wa and a few others, and they killed them. Some were bred in. They were referred to as shy, forest dwelling, bananna eating peoples, short or otherwise inferior. They are now relegated to Leprechaun status in their legends - the Menehune people.


The Menehune Ditch, in Hawaii, is said to have been built in one night by a race of little people.

The Menehune Ditch, which today functions as part of an irrigation system, is said to have been built in one night. The Menehune, a race of small elf-like people, built the ditch as the result of a request from the island's high chief to get water to his people's taro fields. In one night, the Menehune built the aqueduct by cutting and dressing the stones, transporting them, and fitting them into place by using a fireman's bucket brigade-type system. Local legends credit the Menehune with incredible engineering feats, each taking only one night to complete.