We and the Fence are Blessed

At long last, after four years of planning, designing, communicating, and constructing, the predator-proof fence is now complete. On the morning of April 14, representatives from key organizations and groups that helped to make this all happen gathered to participate in a Hawaiian blessing of the fence. We were honored to have the ceremony conducted by William Aila, Jr., Chair of the Department of Land and Natural Resources. As many know, he is from Wai'anae and has ancestral ties to Ka'ena. He was assisted by Sam 'Ohu Gon who is on the Board of Land and Natural Resources, and Tom Shirai of Waialua, who is a lineal descendent of this area.

First, we all took part in a cleansing process by washing our hands with ocean water from Ka'ena mixed with fresh water from special places in Hawai'i and limu kala and 'olena. There is symbolism in each of the ingredients.

 At each of the three gates, we untied a lei ki (ti-leaf lei). The lei were collected and later placed in the ocean.

We formed a human chain along the fence-line, sprinkling water from the calabash along the entire perimeter. It took a long time but it was definitely worth the effort.

Selected students from Nanakuli High School played a key role in this ceremony by making the lei that was placed by each gate, and enthralling us with a chant to end the ceremony. The students were guided by their Environmental Studies teacher, Mrs. Jewelynn Kirkland.

Words cannot fully express how special this day was to all of us. It was the end of a process (construction), and the beginning of another (restoration). Mahalo nui loa to everyone who helped us reach this day!