In October of 2022, nine parents (makua) and seven children (keiki) from four Hawaiian islands participated in the first Mahi’ai Camp on Moloka’i. Participants learned about food growing and fishing traditions and techniques, understanding the past to prepare for the future. We are honored to be able to share a poem by Hanohano Na’ehu that was read at the camp. Shang Ong was the videographer of the video shown below.
The Poem
by Hanohano Na’ehu
Our future should look more like before
Situation getting grim and it’s hard to ignore
Like we knock for nature but nobody opening the door
Cause military stay pimping her like a whore
So, will you stand up is it worth fighting for
But, what else could be worth living or dying for
Top of mauna a wakea to kanaloas sea floor
The whole planet our kupuna circumnavigated and explored
Yet they never made the wrongs right just left an open sore
Like a crooked cop on the hush, taking more
ʻAʻole means No! No matter, make us scatter
The rat taking more, Hear us roar, light beaming out of every pore
Unchain the brain, the hawk about to soar
Vibrate at a higher frequency little different from before
Gathering up the troops remind them what we fighting for
Cause in this generation this story will become legend then legend will become lore
The score? Our keiki will never not know the truth anymore.<>
