Marching Towards Unity: Kapu Aloha Movement Takes Center Stage on Maui
Maui stands together
What happened on Maui on August 10th, 2019 was no small thing. Mahina Martin, Luana Kawaa, Koa Hewahewa and Torie Hoopii organized the 5k strong, Kapu Aloha Unity March, that went from War Memorial Stadium down Ka'ahumanu Avenue to the University of Hawai'i Maui College. Let the faces of the people move you, let their voices and their songs touch you, and let the messages from the speakers challenge you to join in protecting what is sacred. Ku Kia'i Mauna!
The Gathering
The people of Maui were shuttled to War Memorial Stadium, early in the morning from UH Maui College, with their signs, flags and colors, to stand and march in solidarity with the Protectors of Mauna a Wakea.
The song
Kamahiwa Kawaa helped lead the March through a song called: Kū Ha’aheo E Ku’u Hawai’i
Kaiko’o ka moana kā i lana nei Hawai’I
(The sea of Hawai’i surges in turmoil)
Nāueue a hālulu ka honua a Haumea
(The earth of Haumea rumbles and shakes)
Nākulukulu e ka lani ki’eki’e kau mai i luna
(The highest heavens shudder up above)
Auē ke aloha ‘ole a ka malihini
(Alas! Woeful indeed are the heartless foreigners)
Kū ha’aheo e ku’u Hawai’I
(Stand tall my Hawai’i)
Mamaka kaua o ku’u ‘āina
(Band of warriors of my land)
‘O ke ehu kakahiaka o nā ‘ōiwi o Hawai’i nei
(The new dawn for our people of Hawai’i is upon us)
No ku’u lahui e hā’awi pau a i ola mau
(For my nation I give my all so that our legacy lives on)
Auhea wale ‘oukou pū’ali koa o Keawe
(Where are you soldiers of Keawe)
Me ko Kamalālāwalu la me Kākuhihewa
(Along with those of Maui and O’ahu)
‘Alu mai pualu mai me ko Manokalanipō
(Unite, join together with those of Kaua’i)
Ka’i mai ana me nā kama a Kahelelani
(Marching alongside the descendants of Ni’ihau)
E nāue imua e nā poki’i a e inu wai ‘awa’awa
(Move forward young ones and drink of the bitter waters)
E wiwo’ole a ho’okūpa’a ‘a’ohe hope e ho’i mai ai
(Be fearless, steadfast for there is no turning back)
A na’i wale nō kākou kaukoe mau i ke ala
(Let’s press onward straight on the path of victory)
Auē ke aloha ‘ole a ka malihini
(Alas! Woeful are the heartless foreigners!)
E lei mau i lei mau kākou e nā mamo aloha
(Be honored always oh beloved descendants of the land)
I lei wehi ‘a’ali’i wehi nani o ku’u ‘āina
(Let us wear the honored ‘a’ali’i of our beloved land)
Hoe a mau hoe a mau no ka pono sivila
(Paddle on in our pursuit of civil justice)
A ho’iho’i hou ‘ia mai ke kū’oko’a
(Until our dignity and independence is restored)
The March
I remember standing right there in the middle of the road, watching as the marchers turned the corner onto Ka'ahumanu Avenue. Mauna Kahalawai standing mighty and strong behind the Protectors. The Maui Police Department did an amazing job at keeping the Protectors safe as they escorted them down the road. They never stopped singing, never stopped shouting and never stopped waving their flags and signs with aloha.
The Message
Arriving at UHMC, the marchers gathered around the stage as the Sons of Yeshua sang out their anthem song, "We Are Mauna Kea".
Kahookahi Kanuha, who is among the vocal leaders of the movement at Maunakea, was one of the speakers at this event, alongside Tiare Lawrence, Kaleikoa Ka'eo, Kahele Dukelow and Ke'eaumoku Kapu.
I am grateful to have been able to capture this incredible moment in the history of the Hawaiian people. Their story is still being written and their battle still marches on. I hope that the video and pictures I captured help tell their story righteously.
-Aaron Najera
