Page 38 - GIC Manifesto.m

“Climate change imperils these important ecosystems, and the cultural

practices and indigenous lifeways that they enable. The intricate link

between the health of Hawaiian forests and the survival of Maoli

culture is exemplified by the impact on upland gathering practices

related to hula, a traditional dance form. Healthy forests are essential

to the perpetuation of this sacred art that has preserved history

through oral tradition since ancient times and holds invaluable

significance in contemporary Hawai‘i. Laka, the goddess of hula, is a

forest-dweller, whose kinolau are some of the fragrant forest plants

used on the kūahu (hula altar). Although cultural practitioners

continue to gather plants for traditional protocols, it is now difficult to

find the necessary resources. For example, the kauila plant

(Colubrina oppositifolia), used to craft ka lā‘au (hula implements), is

becoming increasingly rare. To perpetuate hula as a cultural practice,

these plants, many of them endangered, must be better protected.

After all, ‘inspiration for hula is received when the plants are present

and when the dancer wears the plants for hula.’”

Professor D. Kapua‘ala Sproat

Director of the Ka Huli Ao Center for Excellence in Native Hawaiian Law.