Hawaiian spirituality in prison

Rec'd via email from Andre Perez, and thought this was worth sharing...

From: "kanikapu@yahoo.com" <kanikapu@yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 21 Feb 2007 16:18:19 -0800 (PST)
Subject: [Hui_Pu] Hale Pa'ahao Makahiki in Mississippi

Aloha gang,

This is Andre. As some of you know, Kapono Souza and I just returned from Mississippi where we helped our incarcerated kanaka exercise their rights to practice Hawaiian spirituality and religion despite being in prison. It was a long uphill battle with many struggles and obstacles along the way but our 'aumakua, kupuna and akua gave us the blessings to ho'omau. The ceremony way a very deep event. We took it to a high level despite of our location. Over 4 days we logged a total of 32 hours with the 41 kanaka of the self organized "Ko Kakou Pu'uhonua Ekolu" pa'ahao cultural and spiritual group.

We had classes and discussion on the following subjects:

Significance of Makahiki season and Lono ceremonies
Orientation to spiritual and ceremony protocol
Discussion on role of Mahu in traditional society
Lomilomi class
Contemporary sovereignty issues
Pule and Oli for daily use
Pikai cleansing ritual
Discussion on Lua and Ha'a (Haka) basics
Hale Mua leadership principles and concepts
Colonization/Decolonization
Christian/Ho'omanakahiko conflict and resolution
Utilization and care of Hawaiian ceremonial implements
Pu kani 101 (left a pu behind for them)
Kanaka Maoli Identity/consciousness
Understanding cultural imperialism-Ancestral Trauma/Generational Injury resulting in cultural PTSD

And last but not least the actual Makihiki closing ceremony in 12 weather barefoot with Malo and 10 different ho'okupu including kinolau.

We also got about an hour and a half of audio testimony from about 20 prisoners regarding the struggle involved in regaining Hawaiian identity and consciousness, being able to engage in traditional beliefs and practices while incarcerated, and how much this ceremony meant to them. Will make testimony available via internet soon. Many of these 41 men are pulling a life sentence and had never been in a traditional ceremony.

Anyway, we are working on a full report. Also, on Monday, I did a 1 hour interview about the trip with Lynette Cruz. It will air for the next 3 Saturdays (Feb 24 and mar 3/10) at 9pm on Olelo channel 53. Check it out.

Big mahalo to Kaleikoa for the years of personal spiritual guidance and mentoring and to the Hale Mua o Kuali'i whose training helped prepare Kapono and I both mentally and spiritually for this trip.

Will follow up with more details. One thing: they have no resources. Only 1 paperback, pocket Hawaiian dictionary to share amongst all 41. I will be organizing a book/cultural material drive in about a week. Anybody interested in helping, please email me here. Also please forward out to your contacts, we need kokua.

Mahalo, aloha aina,
andre
kanikapu@yahoo.com

Posted: Thu - February 22, 2007 at 08:09 AM

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Hawaiian spirituality in prison

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