Setting our collective intentions during Ala Polohiwa a Kane (Summer Solstice)

" In Hawaiian, the path of the sun along the Tropic of Cancer is called "ke ala polohiwa a Kane," or "the black shining road of Kane." - Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument website

Imagine credit lost. If you recognize this as yours, please let me know. E kala mai.

from Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument website

Last night, late on the Summer Solstice here on the Salish Sea, Pete and I joined another ZOOM gathering. The third such experiences of virtual groups in two days. For folks, like us, who have not been able to gather with others 'safely' for many years, ZOOM has become an unexpected Covid advantage.

The ZOOM gathering invitation found us at the last minute and literally I signed in one minute after the start time. For one hour we watched and listened to a daughter-mother team of Hawaiian women that would reset our perspectives. Perspectives -- our default beginning point-- which are both different between us on any given day, and different as the whole world huli (upends) were reset last night. We heard Dr. Kaiwipuni Lipe of UH Manoa's Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation Campus Center  introduce the reasons for last night's event: E Pule Pu Kakou: Setting our collective intentions during summer solstice. 

As I settled into my chair and acclimated to being 'virtually present' I saw a slim wahine with glasses. Her voice highly-pitched and exhuberant. It would take some getting used to this woman's voice. As I stayed with her message this is what struck me, like that moment of fish and bait when I(the fish) was hooked:

In conversation with colleagues Dr. Kaiwipuni Lipe shared how none of those involved could remember a time when they were not discounted or discriminated against because of the color of their skin. (There could have been other qualifying 'discs' as well, but my memory doesn't recall it). 

Only when the group paused and reflected on the realization that it was by focusing on the place where they all live (Hawaii) and the traditions of Hawaii 'before white contact' could they find a place/space in time for a working model (not their terms, but mine). A model that could move the work of peace forward at this time of The Virus and Uprisings of 2020.

The Hawaiian value of pilina, and each person's individual and vital kuleana (responsibility) was the bright light, the maopopopono (the insight) being sought.

It was at this point young Dr. Lipe turned from Ph.D. to daughter. She said she knew where to go for expert Hawaiian cultural help: downstairs, and to Mom.  Professor Lilikala Kame‘eleihiwa of Kamakakuokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies. I was surprised, delighted; the hook set.

I was having a brilliant reset of my own 'discomfort'  on this day of brightest, longest experience with sun. This young woman was in this position of power and connection because she was bred with a lineage of brilliance. Pilina.

We sat and listened. We sat and learned. We sat and chanted. We rest our perspectives. We learned:

There are four days of Ala Polohiwa a Kane (just as we learned years ago there are four full moons in the Hawaiian Moon Calendar)

Hawaiians built hei'au (temples) to track the sun especially at Equinox, and Solstice points

Hei (net, or string game) 'au (light) to capture the sun.

You can go to these hei'au built to mark the rising sun today, just as our ancestors determined many generations ago.

 The Pule (prayer) we learned can be chanted when the sun rises, and sets during Ala Polohiwa a Kane. Chanted when the sun sets, the sun takes our prayers to our ancestors' DNA.

Chanting is the way to connect with our ancestors. Each person chants the pule with a voice of intimacy. "Aloha ka'ua" (between you and me one-to-one).

We face West when we chant as the sun sets.

We chanted together to set our intentions personally and collectively, on the days of summer solstice.

The hour-long ZOOM gathering ended just after 10:30 P.M. PST. Within minutes, Pete was tucked under the covers and soon after I lay along side him. Transition to sleep was quick for Pete. He goes quick. I linger in the in between. It is one of those perspectives that varies between us. A soft and constant snore came from the long lean man beside me. I rested my hand on his rising chest.

Our intentions were set. From our wagon home on a grass knoll where we share days and nights with Rabbits ... across an ocean from Hawaii-nei ... yet on this same Mother Earth ... while Kane in his brilliant heavenly form moves above us all.

Kāne plays a major role in the everyday life of a Hawaiian because Kāne is associated with the forces of nature that give us life. He is the sunlight. He is the fresh water. He is the kalo, the staple food of the Hawaiian race. - Ulukau

Brother Bertram Photograph Collection. Native pili grass house, Hilo, Hawaii. Photo taken sometime between 1883-1905.

He pilina wehena 'ole ke aloha 'aina.
One's love for his homeland is an un-severable relationship.

 Amama ua noa. The prayer is lifted. 👏👏👏

Pilina mai nei. Mahalo nui e Maile for the link. Mahalo nui Kumu Lilikala and Kaiwipuni for sharing your 'ike!

If you were present of the ZOOM Event "Setting our collective intentions during Ala Polohiwa a Kane", please add your mana'o (thoughts, remembrances) of what happened.