Hui Kaha Pohaku

That is Hawaiian for "the group that maps the placement of stones". And that is who we are. We went on 9 field trips to the Kahalu'u area on the Kona coast of the Big Island of Hawaii and, together with Hawaiian Studies students and a local archaeologist, Keone Kalawe, we used plane tables to map the ruins of several Hawaiian structures. We did this as this first step in the eventual restoration of these structures. We feel that this is extremely important work and we would like to share some of our experiences and insights with you. Mahalo.







Wednesday, May 5, 2010

How has this plane table mapping project changed your relationship with the land?


By: Shannon Fisher



During this class mapping project we scaled down a huge heiau by converting meters into centimeters on a 1 to 100 scale, I’ve changed my perspective on my homeland of Hawaii. Although, this field trip was Geometry and we kept talking about math related topics, we then learned a lot of the terms of the Hawaiian language. Though this, I learned cultural facts and geometry, but that wasn’t what made me admire the land as much as I do now.



What really made me admire the land was the feeling I got when I first stepped on through that gate. When I passed through, I felt different. I mean, my whole being was changed to a calm and selfless awe. For some reason, all the problem and struggles that had been on my mind that day didn’t bother me anymore. It may be just a feeling, but it was the first to make me know, why the ancient Hawaiians had picked this spot. That day, even Mahaelani Pai had told the class that the Hawaiians didn’t just pick any old spot on the island to build a stone structure. They only chose areas where they felt had the most spiritual connection.



Another event that happened while I worked on the site was on the last field trip day I went to Kahalu’u. That time we were saying the Eh Ho Mai (chant for the entering and to ask to gain knowledge) we had to repeat the chant. I suspect that Uncle Mahealani Pai didn’t make us repeat it because we weren’t being clear, because our attitude wasn’t right. That was the first chant I wasn’t fully serious in. First time I goofed off during a chant. Right when my respect on their words had slipped, he had realized it and made everyone chant it again. I didn’t hear anyone talking during it except for me. He had corrected what mistake I’d made. For his high honor on this historical land, I admire that feature by expressing it to the land myself. After these trips, I am considering learning how to write and speak the Hawaiian Language. I believe, that we should become close to our birthplace even though we aren’t necessarily that nationality.
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