Скачать или смотреть Kapu "Sacred Hawaiian Burials" The Journey in Hawaiʻi

CONTACT INFORMATION
Keoni Kealoha Alvarez

Please watch the full version KAPU “Sacred Hawaiian Burials” documentary on PBS Hawaii for free click on link: https://www.pbs.org/video/kapu-sacred...

Please watch the full version KAPU “Sacred Hawaiian Burials” documentary on PBS Hawaii for free click on link: https://www.pbs.org/video/kapu-sacred...

KAPU “Sacred Hawaiian Burials” documentary booking link:
https://www.keonialvarez.com/keonialv...

For more information:
Phone: 1 (808) 209-2156

Address:
RR3 BOX 1043
Pahoa, HI, 96778

Email: [email protected]
Website: www.keonialvarez.com and www.hawaiianburials.com

At dawn, high on a black, jagged, ocean cliff, I stand and look at the ocean below, silently watching the waves meet the shore. I’m dressed in a malo, traditional white loin cloth and a kīhei, a traditional cape like is knotted over my shoulder. I’ve adorned myself with a lei palaoak, small, wooden carving pendant strung onto a necklace which rests on my chest. In my hands I hold a lei maile of fragrant Native Hawaiian foliage woven into a lei as an offering. I raise it high towards the sky which reflects pink and orange hues of the morning sun. The gentle ocean breeze blows through my pola – the flap of my malo and my long, black hair. The golden sunlight caresses my face as the morning sunrise appears from the horizon.

Aloha. My name is Keoni Kealoha Alvarez. I'm the great-grandson of Joseph Kahihikolo from the island of Moloka’i and Kealoha Lapaku Kaui from the island of ʻOahu. My home is located in the heart of the Pacific Ocean, thousands of miles away from any country or continent of this world. My island is a very unique place of beautiful beaches, tropical rainforest, valleys, volcanos, snow capped mountains and cascading waterfalls. Over two thousand years ago, my ancestors discovered these islands and named them Hawai'i.

My journey started in a special place near my home, which is surrounded by native forest and wildlife. As I walk through this place again, I cut an old, overgrown trail through the forest with a sharp metal blade. A trail of my muddy footprints are left behind. It’s been ten long years since I returned to this place. It is a secret that I have held for so long. Culturally, this place is KAPU (sacred). I stop to rest against a tree. I stare up to the sky to look at the noon sun; then I continue to move forward and cut the trail blocked by a fallen tree branch. I begin to chop the branch to remove it from the path.

I live in Puna district on Hawai‘i island, which is the rural part of the island. Raised in this area, our lifestyle as Hawaiian people was simple. It is known for hunting, fishing, and surfing. My family was not the traditional Hawaiian family, we did not speak the Hawaiian language, dance the Hula, or practice the Hawaiian beliefs. As a result, a part of our Hawaiian culture was not passed down to my family. I am the youngest of five boys. We had a good upbringing and were raised by a single parent. My mother has always been my pōhaku (rock) in my life. She shared with me the Hawaiian values passed down from her grandparents. In Hawaiian culture, respecting our elders, the land, and the ocean was paramount in some of the teachings. Every time I come here, I feel closely connected to this sacred place surrounded by nature, and the history of my ancestors. Our people were spiritual people and had respect for everything we believed in. From the tips of the mountains to the depths of the ocean, we were connected.

This cave brings back many memories. It was formed when fiery rivers of molten rock lava beneath the surface formed underground chambers, channels, or tunnels. When the lava has stopped flowing and cools down, it leaves behind hollow lava tubes. I kneel to the edge of the cave and look into the entrance where long tree roots border the entrance of the cave. The water drips while seeping through the lava surface and makes a haunting sound of consistent echoes throughout the cave. I stare in amazement and smile at my discovery. It’s like I'm meeting an old friend again. When I was eight years old, my brothers and I discovered this cave in the forest across from my home. We did not know what was in the cave, so as kids at the time, we went into the cave to play. We realized that there was something in there, and we discovered humans in skeletal remains.

As children, at first I was afraid of the burial site or going into that forest. Growing up, it's known that burials are sacred places, oftentimes closely linked to Hawaiian spooky stories. But as I got older I realized that our burial cave was not to be feared, but something to take care of and watch over. I kept it safe from being desecrated.