“(T)he importance of this forest is that it’s so diverse. It’s been able to withstand a lot of lava flows. And so, in the destruction or covering of portions of the forest, they’ve been able to regenerate and come out with a healthier, stronger species.”
“Same with the birds that are able to survive at a lower area, despite the mosquitoes that bring the avian malaria. These birds are healthy. They’re low-lying and they’ve built up an immunity to the avian malaria disease.”
“And so wiping out this forest, they don’t go to other places. This is their home. Just like the people around here; they can’t go to other places. This is where they’ve been raised, where the generations have been raised.”
“This forest, the last low-land rain forest is intact and is very necessary to re-seed the lands that Pele has covered. So the important thing is that these lands need to be intact if we’re going to re-grow our forests a thousand years from now.” (Aluli, Kumupaʻa)
“The Hawaiian people followed protocols when they gathered and harvested from native ecosystems. These required that the gatherers prepare themselves spiritually before setting out and that they maintain an appropriate mental attitude before, during and after collecting the desired materials.”
“The physical process of gathering always involved going about one’s business quietly, asking permission, giving thanks, and treating the plants or animals to be collected – and everything else in their environment – with respect.”
“Every aspect of the gathering process, whether mental or physical, spiritual or practical, was reflected in a single guiding principle: ‘treat all of nature’s embodiments with respect.’ The overall effect of this attitude was to minimize the impact of gathering on native ecosystems.”
“‘Entry chants’ were offered to ask permission of the forest or other plant community for entry and to protect the collector from misfortune.”
“The chants were an expression of the gatherer’s respect for and good intentions toward all of the beings that lived there, including the akua, plants, animals, rocks, streams, etc.”
“Similarly, chants were offered before any plant was collected, out of respect for the plants themselves and for the akua to whom those plants were dedicated.”
“A quiet demeanor not only displayed the appropriate attitude of respect, but it allowed the collector to be alert to signs that were ‘bad omens.’”
“For example, some signs might indicate that a particular plant should not be picked for medicinal purposes, as it might make the medicine bad.”
“Other signs might indicate that this was not the right time for collecting anything at all, and that the collector should turn around and go home.”
“Plants and plant parts were removed carefully, and one never took more than was needed. Ferns were broken carefully at the base of the frond, taking care not to uproot the plant.”
“Besides showing appropriate respect for the plant, this conservation ensured that the plant would survive and remain healthy, so that it could produce more fronds later. Similarly, other plant parts were removed in ways that minimized the impact to the plant.”
“Gathering typically was spaced out in some way, taking a little here and a little there, as expressed just above. According to several other kupuna, the reasoning behind this practice was that it prevented the other plants of the type being collected from becoming lili (jealous) and squabbling among themselves.”
“Ecologically, of course, this practice helped to ensure that no area was completely stripped of a certain plant species and that harvesting could be sustained.”
“Most people would agree that these gathering principles embody appropriate treatment of those we love and respect. For example, when we enter the home of a friend today, we usually ask permission; we try not to impose on their hospitality or damage their home.”
“So it was that Hawaiians approached gathering from native ecosystems – good manners and plain common sense guided their behavior.” (Anderson-Fung and Maly)
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A wonderful and True story, accurate words and the practice should be an example to us all in all we do. Mahalo Peter!
That first quote is by Emmett Aluli and was taken from our Na Maka o ka ‘Aina documentary “Pele’s Appeal”, which focused on efforts to protect the Wao Kele o Puna rainforest from destruction by geothermal drilling interests. You can view the whole program here: https://youtu.be/DvZwriPLHtc