Letter to the Editor

2/02/10

‘Pay attention to the whispers lest ye shall attend to the shouts,’
is a tiny message with a powerful meaning.

How long has Kamakahonu whispered its nature and identity yet humans
continue NOT to hear? This is the ‘Eye-of-the-Turtle’, Heart of all
Hawaii (a home of God). This hallowed ground was held in sacredness
by ancestors of our distant past.

When H.T. Hayashi corporation purchased the tract of land that is
the King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel, they inherited a business
commitment formed by American Factors with the state to PROTECT the
VAST sacred, historic meaning of Kamakahonu.

The PEOPLE never left the commitment of love declared by Ahu’ena’s
restorer, and Kahu David Kahelemauna Roy, Jr.. More than 500
rallied to pray at the Hoowehewehe vigil for the well-being of
Kamakahonu, Hawaii and the world in 2007. The temple was re-
dedicated at that time in a manner acceptable to the Ancestors.
Kulana Huli Honua faced an unkind eviction from their office in
service paving the way for what happened next.

Breaking the spiritual protocol of this temple, agents of Ahu’ena
Heiau, Inc. (AHI) began to tread the sacred paehumu – where they do
not belong. This area is reserved for the spiritually chosen; the
Kahu or those of dedicated service in worship at the Hale O Lono O
Kamehameha ‘Akahi. According to the U.S. constitution, separation of
church and state is clear – a business cannot be a spiritual
practitioner.

In December of 2009, the Hale Mana was disassembled in days with
absolutely NO RESPECT – no seeking of counsel of the Kahu,
permission from the ‘Aumakua and the gods of Hawaii and NO
protection from the landholder or the state. What was torn apart
took years of meticulous planning and work followed by hours of
devoted preparation by MANY people with spiritual ceremony occurring
at each creative level.

Reported to SHPD in 2008, AHI agents began by tampering with the
Ki’i of the temple. They broke the Lana Nuu Mamao, (Oracle) then
removed two Lele (altars). These actions would have prompted their
arrest had this happened at the Sistine Chapel of the Vatican. NO
enforcement to protect the national historic landmark. NO arrests
here – for the state of Hawaii regards sacred sites as artifacts –
not living places of spiritual power that they are.

Ahu’ena Heiau was newly restored in the year 1978 when the Congress
of America passed the freedom of religions Act. We see at
Kamakahonu that freedom to practice and protect the faith of our
motherland is denied to Kanaka Maoli in Hawaii.

Kamakahonu includes the former Thurston Estate (now occupied by Paul
Allen) extends throughout the whole pier area, Kailua Bay and
Kaiakeakua Beach (now covered by a sea wall). The government
covered in cement the heart of Kamakahonu – the pahoehoe islets
where images of “turtles” appeared. Teachers of the Kailua School
brought students to SEE the turtle stone(s) when the pier yet sat
upon stilts. They were sharing the area’s great significance.
There are “turtles” in the stones in Ra’iatea and they occur again
in Fiji. In building the pier, there was controversy. Ranchers of
mauka and other businessmen were for it – Kailua families were NOT.
Although the law called for protection, there was NO advocacy for
the vestiges of sacred lands and heritage except by the families
themselves.

2010 marks the dawn of a new and unprecedented year. It’s the
bicentennial of the birth of the Nation of Hawaii formed by
Kamehameha the Great. Ahu’ena Heiau was recognized as his State
Temple and Kamakahonu, the first capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii.
What truth and future faces us here!

There’s no shame in standing battered in significant challenges.
Here, Kamehameha dwelled, the leader who championed an ultimate
battle – a unified Hawaii, in service to ‘the-supreme-One-without-
branches’. Here, we now dwell, kanaka maoli and all the people in
obedience and love for our Ancestors and our Highest Authority.

“E ‘oni wale no kuu pono, ‘a’ole e pau” – go on in the righteousness
I have followed, it is not finished,” Kamehameha’s words are
guidance enough for me. I call for a meeting of the human beings
representing businesses here, H.T. Hayashi, IWF-KKH, representatives
of Paul Allen’s estate, the state and county with all concerned
parties to seek PEACE in the SPIRIT of Kamakahonu. Care to assist?

The state desires to build a parking facility on the pier. We need
new, better plans for this Mecca of incredible importance to Hawaii
and the world.

Mikahala Roy

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Mikahala Roy
P O Box 596
Kailua-Kona, HI 96745-0596