The Earth is our mother. That simple five-word phrase came back to me with full power of all its resonances while signing copies of Behold Kauai (E `Ike Mai Kaua`i) at a recent Hanapepe bookstore signing. “E `Ike Mai” is
The Earth is our mother. That simple five-word phrase came back to me with full power of all its resonances while signing copies of Behold Kauai (E `Ike Mai Kaua`i) at a recent Hanapepe bookstore signing.
“E `Ike Mai” is a traditional Hawaiian chant set down for us by the respected Mary Kawena Pukui Pa`ana Wiggin. When I chose it for a book title, I knew it was right. Now it strikes me that it could well have been the original Earth Day chant, for it encompasses the air (and birds), Earth (and plants, flowers and trees), and sea (and all ocean life). The unsaid element of this planet Earth is humanity, which is assumed.
“Behold” is a word that is rarely used today. It’s a word that is more far-reaching than “look” or “see,” for to really behold this island, this world, or another person or culture, is to view and know on a deep level. It points to a way of seeing that eventually buries itself to take root in the heart and guide all subsequent actions.
Then life, and the way it is lived (Earth-friendly people practicing Earth-friendly action), plays as a love song.
Here you may be picturing how the astronauts saw our planet Earth turning on its axis in space, per NASA photographs made public. My mind leaps to a globe image encircled by a plumeria lei. This one, used by Ka `Imi Institute during the finale of its traveling hula chronicle, “Recalling Hawai`I,” makes visual my idea of life as a love song of aloha to the world in a graphic representation, following the “one picture says 1,000 words” rule.
It’s one thing to walk barefoot on grass, plant trees and green and flowering plants, meditate outdoors to draw fully on Earth’s energy. As an individual, you may think up ways to avoid mass consumerism, save water, grow without pesticides, follow rules of composting, re-purposing and recycling, using less energy and gas, and leaving the smallest possible negative footprint on our island home. And then, there are the wider forms of honoring in our ohana, community, nation and world.
Coming up Saturday, one of the organizations that for many years has given us both Earth and sea ways of “beholding” as their members worked to malama the aina — The Friends of Kamalani, www.Kamalani.org or 245-5959, is holding the Kamalani Kai Work Day on Earth Day, Saturday. Volunteers are asked to sign up starting at 7:30 a.m. that morning at Lydgate Park Kamalani Playground, and lunch and treats are promised to workers. To register a group or loan tools, you may call 639-1018.
I love it that “bring smiles” is added to the list of expected things, such as water, sunscreen, work gloves and shoes. It reminds me of the happy buzz that filled the air when the original playground, and then the bridge, were constructed and decorated, and the camaraderie shared by all who helped, right through thanks and celebration via delicious meals that were donated and served to the weary but proud crew. The Kamalani Kai bridge and park playground bring great enjoyment to our residents and visitors, keiki to kupuna.
Closer toward Earth Day, there is a wave of energy building in our community.
An April 9 headline (B2) in this paper stated, “Environmental education thrives on Kauai.” The content of the article informs about National Environmental Education Week taking place this week and lists several interesting events, such as Malama Kauai’s fourth annual Earth Day Rising Festival, which includes a Friday to Sunday campout, a Waipa workday, and knowledge exchange toward environmental sustainability. What strikes me about this is the number of community benefits that are supported by funds raised through Malama Kauai (www.malamakauai.org or 828-0685 ext.12): the school garden network, community garden and food forest, projects that will perpetuate life in this land.
Also mentioned were the educational opportunities for sustainable family farms and food producers through the Kauai Farmers Union, which meets at 6 p.m. every second Wednesday of each month at the Anahola Clubhouse, 3900 Kawelo St. Additionally, you might want to check out the first session of Malama Kauai’s “Green Careers Certificate” program for 18- to 30-year-olds taking place this summer.
Fox also lists an amazing number of local businesses and nonprofit organizations working together in this hands-on program.
Another Earth Day celebration takes place next Monday, Apr. 21, when Kauai Community College hosts vendors offering products and services on campus, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. This event will provide an opportunity to visit representatives of the KCC student clubs. (Email makotol@hawaii.edu or call 245-8386 for information.)
Be sure to check calendar listings for more events that fit with our honoring of the Earth. From the Boy Scout’s Makahiki last Saturday, an annual event that continues to focus on the rewards of outdoor life, looking forward to the energy that is building, it’s easy to see that members of our community are indeed “beholding Kauai.” That should give us all heart, and good hope – and this without touching on related community programs that go further in national/global scope.
To end with a humorous twist, where else in the world but Hawaii can you live where the legendary mother of the cultural tradition of our island Earth is named “Papa”?
• Dawn Fraser Kawahara has been a Kauai writer and promoter for 30 years. Born in British India, brought up in Australia and California, she found her home and heart on Kauai in 1984 when the fourth of her children was almost raised. A former writer and department editor for The Garden Island, she launched and continues to run her TropicBird Press and TropicBird Weddings & Celebrations – Kauai as part of DAWN Enterprises.
