Spirituality
reigns
in march
The Ke Kukui ‘A
By Lori Tighe
march completes its
circle of Oahu tomorrow
Star-BulletinThe wind cooling her brow under the beating sun reminded torch bearer Marie Bertram of her Hawaiian ancestors ignored a century ago as the United States "stole" Hawaii.
"I feel the ancestors. I know they're here," said the 35-year-old of Mokuleia, smiling. "They're in the wind and they're watching."
Spiritual overtones were heavy the second day of the Ke Kukui 'A march, designed to increase public awareness of events leading to the Aug. 12, 1898, annexation of Hawaii by the United States. The march continues through Kualoa Park today and ends at Iolani Palace tomorrow.
Hundreds of Hawaiians and supporters began midnight Saturday to create a symbolic ring of fire by carrying a torch around Oahu on a four-day, 128-mile trek. The fire, representing change, cleansing and rejuvenation, produced the desired effect on the marchers.
"I love it," Bertram said. "It brings back our mana, or pride, by walking the walk as our ancestors did with a torch to cleanse."
She joined the torch march in its 32nd hour yesterday from Mokuleia to Waimea.
"My dream is for the government to give back the Kingdom of Hawaii which they stole," Bertram said. "I will do anything in my power to make that happen."
The march also drew signs of support from people who drove by honking and waving. A few people pulled their cars to the sides of the fields, got out and shouted blessings at the marchers.
Rapheal and Charmaign Kahikina watched the procession march past from the cab of the pickup truck they call home.
"It's about time," said Rapheal Kahikina, nodding his head toward the marchers. "They need to open more Hawaiian homestead lands to people. A lot of Hawaiians live on the beach." The former masonry worker last held a job in 1980, he said.
A shirtless man in a bathing suit approached the marchers as they entered Haleiwa and asked if he could carry the torch. The torch bearer, a petite woman in jogging clothes, shook the man's hand and passed the torch to him. There are two rules of the march: The torch is to be passed to any extended hand so everyone can participate, and, upon passing the torch, the old bearer and the new bearer greet each other in peace and good will.
It was now or never for Richard Keopuhiwa, 53, of Waipahu, who carried the torch.
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. This happened 100 years ago. I can't wait for the next 100 years to march. That's why I'm here," he said. "My goal is to walk to Waimea, but I'll hold out as long as the body does."
Leading the procession, Analu Aragon, 47, sounded a pink conch shell and contemplated his identity as a Hawaiian-American.
"I'm totally obliterated by the whole thing," he said, referring to the U.S. annexation 100 years ago. Aragon views the petition signed by his ancestors in protest as a refusal to submit to the annexation, making statehood void.
"The question is, Are we Hawaiians American citizens? We don't know either. Personally, I can't say for myself."
Following the procession, Irish-American Kat Brady, 48, held the Hawaiian flag in support of their cause. The march fed her spirit of commitment, she said.
This is a reaffirmation of the Hawaiian nation. They need to make it right," Brady said.
You can follow along with the Aloha March at http://www.hawaiian.net/~cbokauai/butch.html.
