Hīhīwai were journeying up stream in an endless single file formation alongside people… Either tiny people or massive hīhīwai. Together, they migrated in some sort of vision quest or rite of passage. To where?
He aha ka puana o ka moe? What is the answer to the dream?
Aloha Kāua, Chris here.
Hīhīwai are small brackish water snails who begin their life in the ocean and slowly migrate up the oxygenated streams to live out their destiny. Observations of their existence are indicators of freshwater quality. These sightings have declined with water diversions and the influx of people. The snails are said to have been eaten when food was scarce, hence their other name, “Wī” meaning “famine” Freight ships supply 90% of food for everyone here, and I have only seen these “Wī” a few times in my life.
What migration path are we on?
He aha ka puana o ka moe?
In one of Herb Kane’s books, Voyage, the Discovery of Hawai’i, a war had arisen over dwindling food resources between two communities in the south pacific. The wounded chief was visited in a dream by a Kolea bird as it fell to the sand dying. As the chief held the bird in its hand, it turned to him saying, “the path of my flight is your bearing, go.” It was a sign that their exile was just a new beginning. They headed north. Kolea birds are incredible creatures who are able to travel great distances despite their tiny body, which by human comprehension, is an impossible journey. They travel over 25,000 miles of ocean without stopping to eat or drink.
More recent archeological discovery reveals the first settlement of the Hawaiian islands originating from the Marquesas, where that story may have taken place. Kane writes about how the chiefs of the Hawaiian traditions we know today, were the new-coming wave of settlers who conquered and erased the previous voyagers history. The conquest was led by Pa’ao, a high ruling chief of Tahiti. After the conquer, Pa’ao instilled Pili as a king, whom Kamehameha descended from 28 generations later. European explorers had heard of the defeat of “Mana’une” those who lacked the genealogical credentials to rule, or those of little power. For wealth was not measured in years but generations, and their generations did not last long. Language translations developed the stories of Menehune to be little fairy people who escaped to the mountains and eventually out of the island chain northward.
When I saw the spiral of Hīhīwai in my dream, it was like the spirits of the Mana’une ascending to the realm unseen. Humans are always struggling for freedom on every level; personally, spiritually, socially, ecologically and systemically. I love stories that speak to the silent beats of our hearts. In Cloud Atlas, a story by David Mitchell, love outlives death. As the liberated clone Somni-451 says, “I believe death is only a door, one closes and another opens. If I were to imagine heaven, I would imagine a door opening. And he would be there waiting for me”
Mothers day is an American holiday created by Anna Jarvis, who held a service for her mom on may 12th 1907. It was acknowledged again this past Sunday. Although its just a human creation, the date evokes lots of emotions. This mothers day brought challenging feelings for Ke’ili. Pain may last through the night but joy does eventually come. She told me yesterday morning that she dreamt of sailing with her mother.
He aha ka puana o ka moe?
I wonder what kind of door she will see her mom standing in?
Scientist still haven’t entirely figured out how animals know when to migrate. Their are hypothesis that it’s from the earths magnetic field, sunlight and pressure changes. Humans have life transitions such as loss of loved one, identity crisis, adulthood and career doubts that seem to trigger their migrations. European anthropologists created the term vision quests. Not the kind of spiritual tourism, but more of a self willed journey. A time of solitude and exposure to nature. Such as Siddartha Gautama who left a life of luxury on a 6 year quest of mortality, and Yeshua who traveled into the desert to fast and endure the temptations of the Devil. The point of vision quests and rites of passages are as important as art - our lives without it are impossible to describe. This may be the reason why I enjoy long sailing passages with strange dreams and hopeful changes.
He aha ka puana o ka moe?
Whatever the answer to the dream may be, it made me thankful to wake up for another day.
We are incredibly grateful for all the support shown here! It’s incredible to have such a loving community behind us. Slowly getting closer to my goal of fully rigging ‘A’ā up for a safe passage home. I wont stop until she’s ready, but life is real, and my debt is building up… if you know anyone who would like to support us, the link is here https://www.gofundme.com/f/bring-our-canoe-home?utm_medium=email&utm_source=product&utm_campaign=p_email+4803-donation-alert-v5 mahalo piha kakou!
Also . . . here is an exclusive deal, everything on my website is 50% just for you, this weekend only (18th-19th) use discount code: HAPALUA
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cheehooo
-Chris
