1.Dr. Burrows says that Hawaiians have a connection to the land and a spiritual ecology.? Have you observed this connection? Describe.
Living in Hawai’i and learning about my Hawaiian culture throughout my years of education, have surely showed me that Hawaiians have a deep connection to our land and spiritual ecology. Many times I was given the opportunity to spend sometime in Waipi’o Valley. I observed how the farmers there have a calling to their lo’i or taro patches. They are able to feed off the spiritual energies of the area and their ancestors to maintain their crops and home. For a few days of the time, I got to experience the rituals these native farmers take with their crops and land and the importance of following the protocols taught to them by their ancestors.
2.Do you feel a connection to the Hawaii? If so, when or where do you feel most connected to the land? Do you have a scared place? If you do not mind sharing, where is this place and how does it make you feel?
Hawai’i is where I was born and raised and will always be my home. Therefore, I have a strong connection to Hawai’i. More so, Hawai’i is the land of my ancestors. Therefore, their mana or power still lingers around me. I feel most connected to the land when my family and I visit an area in Kapoho that has great meaning to us. We used to often go there to help clean up the area and maintain the overpowering grass and weeds that now surface. However, for a period of time we stop going. Recently, we started going again. My uncles got back into fishing and diving, while the rest of us get to sit back and enjoy our native surroundings. When I’m there, I feel a great sense of relaxation. That for a moment, I can relieve myself from all the stress and struggles in my life and just enjoy time with my ‘ohana and the sacredness of the land of my ancestors. I hope to continue our tradition of my family’s sacred place and pass it on to my children when the time comes to start my own family.
3.Why is indigenous ecology not just a new fad?
Indigenous ecology is not just a new fad because it has been in existent for the past 1,000 years and still continues today. It can be seen through the traditions of Native Americans, Kanaka Maoli, and other indigenous people around the world.
4.Dr. Burrows mentioned that Hawaiians evolved from the landscape. In what ways did they do this?
One ways that Hawaiians evolved from the landscape is through the alae ula which had the ability to make fire. Its spiritual being would sit in with the council of chiefs when decisions were to be made about cultural and natural resource management. The pau wahine, or mo’o reptilian, was a spiritual guardian of Kawainui. Her presence overlooks and cared for the ecological resources of the area. Other form of which Hawaiians evolved includes the anapanapa and neke fern.
5.How could Hawaiian religious and spiritual beliefs connect to sustainability?
Hawaiian religious and spiritual beliefs allow Hawaiians to take great care of their resources. They treated their environment with respect. By practicing protocol such as chanting and asking permission before entering the land, Hawaiians never took their land and resources for granted. In doing so, they were able to live a sustainable live and conserve the precious resources of the environment.
6.Do you believe that Hawaii is more sustainable than the western world? Why or why not?
I believe that ancient Hawai’i was more sustainable than the western world. The cultural beliefs and practices of Native Hawaiians were extraordinary. They were smart in their ways and in doing so were efficiently able to conserve their natural resources. Today, Hawai’i has adapted to the lifestyle of the western world in many ways. With the evolution of technology, we are much more reliant on electricity and machines. If we start to continue the way of our ancestors, we will all be able to better conserve those natural resources of our surroundings.
7.What ethic or value to do most resonate with and why?
The Hawaiian value that I most resonate with is lokahi. The world we live in is and will always be forever changing. We will encounter new things and new struggles with also surface. By practicing lokahi, you can learn to adapt to new situations and encounter all that comes your way. More so, by unifying and working together as one we will all be able to make our lives more sustainable.
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