03/11/2022
HE PU'U KA HONUA, HE PU'U KE LI'I
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This is the finished piece that will be on exhibit at the Donkey Mill Art Center starting tomorrow!!!
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Here is some mana'o behind the piece, if you have an opportunity go and check this exhibit, Pu'uhonua!!!
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The phrase "puʻuhonua" has endured through the struggles of our Hawaiian culture for generations, as have the very people who have known these sacred places as their sanctuary. To escape war, persecution and the violation of kapu, the puʻuhonua was an opportunity for those kānaka to find sanctuary and to rediscover purpose on this honua. This piece, titled "He Puʻu Ka Honua, He Puʻu Ke Liʻi" can roughly translates to "The Earth Is A Hill, The Chief Is A Hill". A traditional account within the Hawaiian Language Newspaper titled, Moʻolelo Hawaiʻi, the author tells of an invasion of a Maui force of warriors on the island of Molokai. Outnumbered and unprepared, the people of Pelekunu, Molokai flee to the top of a hill known today as Olokuʻi. There, they defend against their pursuers by hurling stones and utilizing the hill as a vantage point. From that moment forward Olokuʻi was declared a puʻuhonua for its protection of the Molokai people. There are many wahi or places throughout the Hawaiian archipelago that have been declared as puʻuhonua for centuries and have protected their inhabitants for generations. Therefore, it has been well understood that a physical place can be recognized as a puʻuhonua. However, there is another puʻuhonua, and that is by the authority of the chief. The aliʻi (liʻi) or chief had the authority to declare places as well as people as puʻuhonua. Kaʻahumanu, the favored wife of Kamehameha I, was at times regarded as a puʻuhonua herself. Those seeking sanctuary or forgiveness for violating the ancient kapu could prostrate themself in front of Kaʻahumanu and could be forgiven of all violations if it were her will to do so, and there are accounts of many other chiefs throughout history who have demonstrated this authority....continued next post!
