Kaala "A Creation story"

Abstract

Punahele is a Kanaka Maoli artist, educator, and community organizer from Makaha, O’ahu, Hawai’i. His mo'oku'auhau connects him to Moku o Keawe as well as O' ahu. Ka'ala is his mauna who has guided and protected him and his family for generations just as Maunakea has done for his ancestors from Moku o Keawe. In 2019, he facilitated over a hundred Kapu Aloha Non-Violent Direct Action trainings on the front line of Maunakea at Pu'uhuluhulu. He was honored to stand arm in arm with Kia'i against police coming from the north end of the Mauna Kea Access Road while Mana Wahine stood in the front. Throughout his stay at the pu'uhonua, he was able to write and record an album titled from Beneath Maunakea. Lyrics poured out of him as a result of repeatedly standing toe to toe with militarized police and watching kupuna get arrested. From Ka'ala to Maunakea, e ’onipa'a kakou!