Hui Malama Bound by Spiritual Handcuffs

There has been a lot of interesting discussion re this situation on the various Hawaiian and sovereignty email lists I'm subscribed to, on both sides of the dispute, but this one from Andre Perez (who has been spokesperson for Hui Pu, but this message is just from him as an individual) included a note to "Please forward to anyone you think it might help in understanding this situation." So I'm posting it as food for thought...

Hui Malama Bound by Spiritual Handcuffs

As a so called long-time student of Hawaiian history and culture, Mr. Ezra should be very aware of the fact that as an official representative of an illegal invader and occupying force (United States) he has absolutely no moral authority to order Hui Malama or ANY Hawaiian for that matter to do anything. His authority is not recognized by many Hawaiians except perhaps by those who already consider themselves American. What Mr. Ezra does have on his side though is the power and force of U.S. armed might.

Concerning the recent Hui Malama case, I believe that it is important to be very clear on some key points that have been overlooked by the press:

- The Kawaihae cave items are not artifacts, they are very sacred and/or spiritual items.
- David Forbes was not an archaeologist; he was a profit seeking thief.
- Bishop Museum knowingly purchased the Moe Pu from grave robbers. Therefore, Bishop Museum has no rightful claim to these items whatsoever (you can't loan what you don't own).
- Bishop Museum is NOT a Hawaiian organization. Just like Iolani Palace, Bishop Museum is run and controlled by non-Hawaiians and has been for many years.

At its core, I believe that this issue is not about any living person. It is about the sacred items that were laid to rest with their rightful owner(s). This decision was made way before our time by either the person who died, the person who hid their bones, or perhaps by both.

Furthermore, I don't believe that anyone, Hui Malama included, has the right to change the decision of the deceased, rightful owners.

It just so happens that Hui Malama is the group that took the initiative to return them to their rightful resting place. They are back with their rightful owners. Does it really matter "who" put them back? It doesn't to me. I am just grateful that these sacred items are no longer in a museum but are back where they were originally intended to be.

A lot of people keep talking about US law. I feel that they are missing the main point. This issue is not about U.S. jurisdiction or law or processes or protocols for Hui Malama anymore, it has transcended these things and has moved into a spiritual realm. It's not as simple as Hui Malama "choosing" to be in contempt. They are believers. Therefore, at this point in time, despite past events; they are spiritually bound by their deep seated beliefs. Because of this they cannot undo what has been done, even if they wanted to. In essence, they have spiritual chains binding them that are much more powerful than Ezra's handcuffs and prison bars. They simply don't have a choice, or rather in Hawaiian terms, "koho'ia" - the choice is predetermined by "spiritual belief" which takes precedence over anything else.

Hui Malama cannot go back into that cave and retrieve the burial items. To do so would put them in grave spiritual jeopardy. It's spiritually impossible to do this. They did what they were spiritually compelled to do and now it is pau for them, amama ua noa lele wale aku la i ka pule.

Hui Malama has worked for years to create the process of repatriation. They are trail blazers for all indigenous peoples. Individuals in Hui Malama have dedicated years of their lives towards protecting Hawaiian burials. They have taken the initiative to learn prayers, ceremonies and rituals. They have learned how to weave lauhala containers for the bones, how to stack rock for cairns etc... Imagine the kind of personal commitment that this must have taken?

Hui Malama has made it possible for many of our iwi kupuna to be protected, properly cared for, and returned to their originally intended environments. In particular, Hui Malama has worked on the Kawaihae cave items for 7 long years. The group has reinterred many, many burials and burial items with nothing but good intent and without individual compensation. I feel nothing but gratitude for the huge amount of work it took to make it even possible to reclaim our iwi kupuna and their Moe Pu. If Hui Malama did not exist, what would be happening to our burials today?

I choose to stand in full, unwavering support of Hui Malama.

The bottom line is this: If da haole never steal em, we wouldn't be debating this at all.

Let's not let haole greed divide us. Rather, let's focus on how we can get one good Hawaiian braddah out of jail.

Aloha aina oiaio,

Andre Perez
Hui Malama supporter

Posted: Thu - December 29, 2005 at 07:23 PM

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Hui Malama Bound by Spiritual Handcuffs

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