“Shae Kamaka’ala is a young attorney from Kahana, Koʻolauloa, Oʻahu who works with her community and organizations like Hoʻāla ʻĀina Kūpono and the lawaiʻa of her commuity through the Kahana Kilo Kai program to advance co-management and cultural and indigenous justice initiatives in Hawaiʻi. Shae is currently a Marine Legal Fellow at The Nature Conservancy and has been working with other communities who have taken charge of their kuleana to mālama their ahupuaʻa and its finite natural resources.”
Aloha mai kākou,
I wanted to report back to everyone about Hāʻena’s public hearing Friday, October 3, 2014 at Hanalei Elementary School. The hearing was absolutely beautiful. There was a strong crowd of about 200 in support. Almost every one of us wore a “Support Hāʻena, Lawaiʻa Pono, Fish Hawaiian” shirt which provided a solid visual and sense of solidarity. There were very few (I think three) in opposition and a few with reservations, but the general sentiment was that these rules are ripe for approval, like a Hayden mango on a hot summer day. Those in opposition were given shirts and even encouraged to share testimony.
The ʻohana of Hāʻena testified with their extended ʻohana behind them in support and they testified with a strong sense of aloha for their ʻāina and for the future generations. For my own self, seeing so many families come out and speak out and up for their place from a place of aloha, rather than a place of hurt, showed so much of how strong and resilient the Hāʻena community is. There was representation from all islands (except Niʻihau) and everyone shared something meaningful about this movement to better protect our resources and why they support Hāʻena. It was an extremely beautiful evening and when we got back to the loʻi to celebrate, there was an amazing pō mākole (moonbow) that was arched over Hāʻena…Uncle Keliʻi Alapaʻi said the kūpuna were there with us.
aloha ʻāina,
Shae
Aloha e Shae, Mahalo nui loa for your testimony, work with many organizations & travel to Kaua’i in support of the Ha’ena CBSFA last week!!!
Mahalo,
Shann Anolani Hashimoto & ‘Ohana
808/96754
Aloha mai, mahalo nunui to you and your ʻohana for welcoming and hosting us! It was such an amazing experience and we are so excited for you and your community. Looking forward to the next steps 🙂 ke aloha nō, Shae
Aloha shae ~ I was not there in the physical form, but in my spiritual form I was in that space. Our ohana came to speak on behalf of our fight from Moku o Keawe. I know the report came back strong and powerful and we are so blessed for the mana’o shared. I am praying that this friday, History will be made. A new day for all of us, for our entire lahui. This is our future we are talking about. Me ke aloha. Kaimi – Milolii Community, Moku o Keawe.