From my Friends in Hawai'i

From a friend in Hawai'i

Lāhainā is the first Capitol of Hawai’i alongside Kona. Hence, it’s the land of our chiefs, Kings and Queens where it was known for a plethora of water around Moku’ula and Mokuhinia. It’s where Kīhāwahine dwelled. Boats could go all the way in surrounding Waiola Church area from 200 years ago. Lāhainā were wetlands not dry land. Fires weren’t suppose to happen in wetlands.

The stealing and water diversions/channelizations of businesses, golf courses, sugar cane and pineapple plantations, and hotels took away all that are of Lāhainā’s nature. From our lo’i, fish ponds and more. So there’s a learning lesson here. Let’s not emphasize too much on this ha’awina (lesson). Material things are all temporary.

Our lives matter the most and Lāhainā is not a tourist spot. Its the ‘āina of our kūpuna. It’s the land of our kānaka. My heart aches as my place in Wailuku was a pu’uhonua for some families last night. Everything is ravaged on the West side of Maui. Aia I hea ka Wai…