NOWRAMP
2002
Seeing
Lisianski
Island
Posted by Bonnie Kahapea, Teacher Halau Ku Mana Public Charter
School
October 1, 2002
It
began when we arrived at Lisianski. The ocean was as calm
as a lake, not a breath of wind. I could see my own reflection
in the water as I leaned out on the rail of the ship. The
day was HOT and flies from the island found their way to
the Rapture anchored miles out at a safe depth.
I
spent the day aboard the ship. It was a lazy day and I searched
for motivation to get some work done. We managed to get
some interviews in and some video footage for the story
of the Rapture. The day seemed to pass slowly as
the numbers of flies increased. Even though, the day did
pass and we were treated to a beautiful sunset. The lack
of wind and extremely calm sea left us with a clear horizon.
Colors of golden hues turned the sky into a painting. As
the colors faded into the darkness, I decided to sleep on
the O2 deck where I could get a clear view of the night
sky. With no clouds, I actually got to see stars set. This
is not common. Most times setting stars are blocked by clouds
and atmospheric junk and so you usually can only see them
until they are about 20 degrees above the horizon. But tonight
I saw it! Lehuakona set in her rightful house on
the horizon.
The
stars continued on their normal path. I laid out my sleeping
bag on the chair and talked to others about some stars until
I drifted off to sleep. Whenever I sleep outside, I always
wake up often and look up to the sky and orient myself.
I get myself situated in my place in the universe, then
go back to sleep assured that I know where I am.
As
the morning neared, the waning moon was climbing to its
zenith. I peered out between the makapiapia to orient
myself once again. The moments before dawn is the most important
time for navigators. If I am up at this time, no matter
where I am, I love to sit quietly and gaze with intention.
The railing was blocking my view of the horizon , so I pulled
myself out of the warmth of my sleeping bag. The moment
my eyes hit the horizon, I thought…"Where am I"?
And in the next moment, I said, "the hidden islands
of Kane"! There on the horizon, just to the
South of East lie 12 high islands.
I
had read about these hidden islands of Kane before
and just yesterday, Kekuewa and I were talking story about
it. I continued to study the horizon. To the left of the
rising sun was Lisianski, which we call Kapou. The
rest of the horizon was blocked by thick black clouds, except
for the 12 islands of Kane and Kapou.
I
knew immediately that what I was seeing was something very
special. A few moments later Kekuewa had come on deck to
wake me up for our boat to Lisianski. I showed him the islands
and we stood in awe together. The moments were surreal and
seemingly timeless. As the sun crawled its way into day,
the islands disappeared in the light. Soon after at breakfast,
we were greeted by another ho'ailona or sign. A pillar
rainbow appeared, another manifestation of the god Kane.
This is the vision that allowed Kekuewa to match Lisianski
with her ancient name of Kapou, meaning pillar.
Not everyone saw these ho'ailona as Kekuewa and I
had. I feel humbled by the presence of my ancestral gods.
Today, Kane allowed me to see.
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