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ypochris
Lokahi
USA
398 Posts |
 Posted - 02/09/2008 : 7:20:59 PM
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Hi, I'm ypochris, also known as Chris from Waipi'o.
I lived in Waipi'o Valley from 1979 to 2006, and in Waimanu Valley for two years before that. While in Waipi'o I mostly farmed taro- some poi but primarily lu'au. I also organized and managed Laupahoehoe Nui LLC, a group of Waipi'o residents and 'ohana who banded together to purchase an ahupua'a down the cost for the purposes of environmental preservation and cultural restoration. I have been very active in the Waipi'o Community Association's efforts to restore Hi'ilawe and Hakalaoa falls and to assert the appurtenant rights of the Waipi'o taro farmers to the water being stolen and dumped by the Lower Hamakua Ditch.
I was born in California of mixed Native American/European parents- my father part Pawnee, my mother part Lakota. Spent my childhood traveling through the western U.S and Mexico, attending less school than anyone I know- what a blessing! When I left "home" and moved to Hawai'i at 14, I was adopted (hanai) by Johnson Kaholoa'a, also known as Waimanu Jack. He taught me to hunt, fish, and live off the land; and was the basis of my attachment to Hawai'i. Once he passed and my youngest reached 18, the pull of my soon to be wife attending medical school in Michigan proved stronger than the pull of the 'aina- just barely! My children,grandchildren, brother and his children, and my elderly parents all living on the Big Island also pull me back as often as I can afford. Although my son is supposedly maintaining the farm during our seven year absence (medical school and residency takes a long time!), reality involves a lot of weeds and we are not sure we will ever be able to return to that life, as much as we love it- Waipi'o can't really support a doctor; all those hard working taro farmers are too healthy!
My long term dream is to (re)create a "traditional" Hawaiian village on our ahupua'a. Actually the goal is semi-traditional, more like what I saw in Samoa 30 years ago where some of the best of western culture is integrated into an essentially Polynesian society. But 95% of what the village needs would come from the ahupua'a while solar panels powered lights and an internet connection to allow knowledge and ideas to flow freely into and from the village. To protect the integrity of the watershed the village depends on, the wave of introduced species that threatens to destroy the integrity of the ahupua'a would be fought off and the land would be a haven for native species as well as native culture. The ultimate goal would be to set an example of humans living in harmony with the 'aina in a healthier, easier, and more pleasant manner than the destructive culture currently threatening our planet. The only thing holding back that dream is finding the core group willing to change their lives and make it a reality- the land is there!
Right now I am purchasing, rehabbing, and renting out houses here in Lansing, Michigan, while my wife is in med school. I call it reverse colonization, as the plan is to create an income stream to flow back to Hawai'i and support my parents and my dreams.
My longing for the lo'i naturally drew me to a site called "Taropatch", and even though I am not a musician my love of all things Hawaiian keeps me coming back. It is in my nature to make an extremist, contrary, or inflamatory remark to get a heated conversation going on a hot topic, and I apologize in advance if I offend anyone by doing so. I love Hawai'i and all of my comments come from that love, but sometimes a little introspection brought on by a differing viewpoint can be a good thing.
Aloha no kakou,
Chris
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wcerto
Ahonui
USA
5052 Posts |
Posted - 02/09/2008 : 10:24:09 PM
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Chris - thank you for joining us here on Taro Patch and for sharing your viewpoints with us. I do not believe that you will find anyone on this forum who would begrudge you a chance to share your honest feelings. I can see you have a great passion for the `aina. Hawaiian culture and reverence for the land is not so different from that of many First Peoples'. I applaud you for working toward your dream. It is indeed admirable to find someone who knows what their kuleana is and then works toward taking care of that responsibility and task. We appreciate a good, respectful discussion. As you can see, there are many differing viewpoints in this Taro Patch, but for the most part, folks honor each others' opinions in a very respectful way. It takes courage to be honest and forthright in your discussions. There is nothing wrong with passion. I certainly appreciate that and welcome it. No matter you are not a musician. There is plenty to love about Hawai`i, even if you do not play an instrument.
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Me ke aloha
Malama pono,
Wanda |
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Retro
Ahonui
USA
2368 Posts |
Posted - 02/10/2008 : 10:04:58 AM
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Hey, Chris - welcome!
Glad to hear your take on things, though you may want to rethink this aspect:quote:
Originally posted by ypochris
It is in my nature to make an extremist, contrary, or inflamatory remark to get a heated conversation going on a hot topic
Intense and detailed discussion usually runs more smoothly if no one is intentionally trying to raise hackles. That just puts people in a defensive mood, rather than a communicative one.
Spend time on a lot of internet discussion groups regarding Hawai`i, and you will find TaroPatch to be (more often than not) a bit above the fray; that is a big part of its appeal. |
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KäneKïHö`alu
Akahai
64 Posts |
Posted - 02/16/2008 : 8:45:45 PM
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Aloha Chris,
Wow, that is so cool that you were raised in Waimanu/Waipi`o! That is my favorite place in all of Hawai`i. So beautiful. I think it's awesome what you're trying to do with the traditional village in the ahapua`a. It seems Hawai`i is becoming more America everyday :( with all the local businesses closing up and stuff. What's happening in Honolulu is scary. I wish there were more people like you that care so deeply about preserving Hawaiian culture.
E mälama pono! |
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alika207
Ha`aha`a
USA
1260 Posts |
Posted - 02/18/2008 : 3:10:29 PM
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Aloha nui, Pehea 'oe?
Mahalo for telling us about yourself!
(sings) Kumaka ka 'ikena 'o Hi'ilawe
Ka papa lohi mai a'o Maukele |
He kehau ho'oma'ema'e ke aloha.
'Alika / Polinahe |
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kaniala5
Akahai
USA
65 Posts |
Posted - 02/18/2008 : 4:58:57 PM
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Aloha e YpoChris!
Do you know Nalei and Ku Kahakalau? I learned about the lo'i in Wai'anae from them. I had the privelage of getting to stop the mud and weed on the patches up in Mauna Ka'ala with Eric many times. I live in California now but I have many fond memories of the taro patch and I have a video of the place that I can watch if I want now and then.
Hele Mai! Welcome to the lo'i. |
Look for reasons to be happy rather than excuses to be miserable. |
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ypochris
Lokahi
USA
398 Posts |
Posted - 02/18/2008 : 6:37:40 PM
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HMFan138- My favorite song, naturally- I spent so many years fighting for Hi'ilawe and Hakalaoa. Sam Lia wrote that sitting on his front porch in Nakookoo, the Waipi'o village at the foot of the falls.
Kaneala5- Ku and Nalei have been a wonderful addition to Waipi'o since they moved here so many years ago. With their immersion school Kanu 'o Ka 'Aina they have been studying the ecosystem recovery in Hi'ilawe stream with the help of a $450,000 fine levied on Kamemhameha Schools for dragging their feet on restoring the falls after I spent over ten years fighting to have the damage repaired. I used to drive their daughter to kindergarten in Waimea years ago also.
Since they got involved with Kanu 'O Ka Aina they stopped farming in Waipi'o, but they live right by the lookout up top. They really are some of the finest people in the area.
Ku is also a songwriter- many of the songs her sister Robi Kahakalau sings were written by her. Robi is on the front porch of their Waipi'o house on the cover of one album- Keiki 'O Ka Aina? Ku gave me a few albums with some of her favorites- I used to listen to them a lot but most of my CD's, including all of my Hawaiian music, were stolen last year from a house I was rehabbing. All my tools too, but I can just buy more- Hawaiian music is a lot harder to come by here, and many of the albums were gifts from the artists. Sigh...
Chris
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alika207
Ha`aha`a
USA
1260 Posts |
Posted - 02/19/2008 : 11:07:04 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by ypochris
HMFan138- My favorite song, naturally- I spent so many years fighting for Hi'ilawe and Hakalaoa. Sam Lia wrote that sitting on his front porch in Nakookoo, the Waipi'o village at the foot of the falls.
Kaneala5- Ku and Nalei have been a wonderful addition to Waipi'o since they moved here so many years ago. With their immersion school Kanu 'o Ka 'Aina they have been studying the ecosystem recovery in Hi'ilawe stream with the help of a $450,000 fine levied on Kamemhameha Schools for dragging their feet on restoring the falls after I spent over ten years fighting to have the damage repaired. I used to drive their daughter to kindergarten in Waimea years ago also.
Since they got involved with Kanu 'O Ka Aina they stopped farming in Waipi'o, but they live right by the lookout up top. They really are some of the finest people in the area.
Ku is also a songwriter- many of the songs her sister Robi Kahakalau sings were written by her. Robi is on the front porch of their Waipi'o house on the cover of one album- Keiki 'O Ka Aina? Ku gave me a few albums with some of her favorites- I used to listen to them a lot but most of my CD's, including all of my Hawaiian music, were stolen last year from a house I was rehabbing. All my tools too, but I can just buy more- Hawaiian music is a lot harder to come by here, and many of the albums were gifts from the artists. Sigh...
Chris
I love Robi, with and without the HSB!
About "Hi'ilawe," have you ever heard the Sudden Rush version? Like it? I absolutely love it! So cool! |
He kehau ho'oma'ema'e ke aloha.
'Alika / Polinahe |
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