My name is Aleakukahiokamakaniolakino Kekauoha and I am 17 years old. My first name means “the voice of the wind brings life” and my last name means “the testament.” I was raised in Kaimuki where the name of the there is called “Waʻahila.” Seven years ago I moved to Kaneohe where I live now. The local winds of this area is called “Ulumanō” and the tradewinds coming from the northeast are called “Moaʻe.” The rain is called “Apuakea” and the highest mountain peak is named “Lanihuli.” There is a spring in Kaneohe called “Kumukumu” and is said to have been associated with the Kukuiokane heiau. Moʻolelo tells of “drums of hula” being heard at this spring on the nights of Kāne.
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I would like to think I was very privellaged to be able to come to Kamehameha Schools since kindergarten. As i progressed through my education here at Kamehameha, I adopted the idea of “Mālama Honua” at a young age thanks to the numerous field trips around the island to local fishponds, loʻi, and beaches to do cleanups. I wasn't able to realize how big of a problem it was until my 8th grade year. As a class, we took a field trip to cleanup a beach and record data. On this field trip, i was able to see how many small pieces of plastic, bottles, cans, bags, and so much more that was left on the beach.
Being in this class I am hoping to be able to go out into the environment and make a positive change to my surroundings, whether that consists of cleaning up or maintaining the area. I hope that together, this class could make a noticable change, but even if we are only able to make a small change, it is still good because itʻs progress.Although I do what I cannow,I don’t have the time or transportation to go to the beach and do cleanupsbut hopefully after school or once I get my license I can start doing more.I hope that this class is able to “jumpstart me” in a sense and get me back into taking care of the earth.
As a Hawaiian, I have always felt this feeling of aloha aina. This connection and love for the land has driven me to get out into the world to make a difference. I think that in many ways aloha aina and malama honua go hand in hand. To me aloha aina is not only having a connection with the land physically, but mentally, and spiritually. When I do these cleanups and things around the island it isnʻt because I am forced to do it, I take care of the world because I would like to think that there is a mutual love between us.
I am glad that I was exposed to nature, and the idea of mālama at such a young age. I believe that it has truly shaped me into the person I am today, and the “mālama honua mindset” has helped to curve bad habits and inspire me to make positive decisions and actions instead. |