Hawai'i Forever

Having just returned from Maui, I'm feeling especially homesick for the Islands. When I'm there, I feel like I should be apologizing for what the white man (and other colors of men) have done to the place. Although I try to put the burdens of civilization aside, I'm sure I could read it on the faces of the locals as I cruised around in my convertible rental car. I couldn't help but to feel looks of disdain aimed at my bleached blond hair and red, sunburned face. Maybe it's just me...but I doubt it. I wanted to shout at them all: "I'm one of the good guys!" But I'm a little lost and have no idea who I am really.

Here's one good guy who passed on in 1997, way before his time at 38 years old. (A strange expression, I suppose it was exactly his time.) Israel Kamakawiwo'ole (Braddah Iz) left a legacy of music that celebrates the Islands, the Aloha Spirit and calls for restoring the Islands to their rightful owners: reinstating the Hawaiian Nation.

This song, "Hawai'i '78", from his 1993 album, "Facing Future" asks "What if those who fought for the land could see it now?"

Hawai'i '78

Ua mau ke ea o ka `âina i ka pono `o Hawai'i
Ua mau ke ea o ka `âina i ka pono `o Hawai'i
(Being perpetuated is the sovereignty of the land to righteousness, to balance: Hawai`i

If just for a day our king and queen
Would visit all these islands and saw everything
How would they feel about the changes of our land
Could you just imagine if they were around
And saw highways on their sacred grounds
How would they feel about this modern city life?

Tears would come from each other's eyes
As they would stop to realize
That our people are in great, great danger now
How would they feel?
Would their smiles be content, then cry

Chorus:
Cry for the gods, cry for the people
Cry for the land that was taken away
And then yet you'll find, Hawai'i.

Could you just imagine they came back
And saw traffic lights and railroad tracks
How would they feel about this modern city life
Tears would come from each other's eyes
As they would stop to realize
That our land is in great, great danger now.

All the fighting that the King has done
To conquer all these islands, now these condominiums
How would he feel if he saw Hawai'i nei?
How would he feel? Would his smile be content, then cry?

(E hana hou i ka hui)

Ua mau ke ea o ka `âina i ka pono `o Hawai'i