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To: NathanBookman
While visiting Maui I noticed in a guidebook that there was a heiau or Hawaiian temple platform not far from the main city. I decided to go visit. I was surprised to find that the entrance to the small park where the platform was located was behind some houses. The platform was on a small hill. The hill was surrounded by an unattractive industrial area.

In the days before the Hawaiian religion was outlawed (in the early 1800's), images of idols were placed on the platform, facing the Haleakala volcano. It seemed to me that the site had some important archaeological significance. Now it appeared that few people ever visited the park. Someone had obviously been doing some shooting there. A sign said that the care for the park had been turned over to a group interested in Hawaiian culture. It didn't appear that this group had done much for the park. I was left with the impression that the portion of Hawaiians who actually care about their cultural history is pretty low.

15 posted on 08/17/2005 11:37:40 AM PDT by wideminded
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To: wideminded

I too have learned over that last couple of years from talking to folks, or watching documentaries.. or just general information.. that their culture, isn't always tended to by the youth.

At least not as much as many would see fit. And in many cases, as is across the world, if the Natives don't practice and teach that which matters to them. Than what is lost, is their fault. We as a people only get out of our lives what we put into them.

And if the Hawaiins aren't seeing drastic results to their taste, maybe it's time they put their minds where their mouths are!?

Maybe? Hmmm?


16 posted on 08/17/2005 11:42:00 AM PDT by CourtneyLeigh (Why can't all of America be Commonwealth?)
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