Sunday, July 12, 2009

Ulupo Temple

Aloha!
Welcome to the Hawaii
of Old
click on photos to enlargeSaturday I went to pay my respects to our host culture and to a favorite place.
"`Ike: To see, feel, know, greet, recognize, experience, understand, to know sexually, to receive revelations from the gods..."
From Hawaiian Dictionary, Univ of Hawaii Press
A "Heiau" is a temple.
Ulupo is the largest stone platform and temple complex on Oahu. It was a very important place, made of stones carried hand-to-hand from all over our island.
Hundreds of volunteers over the years have helped to clear, restore, and "malama" or care for it.

Hawaiians leaving "Ho`okupu" or offerings
before the tall stone platform


Our guide


What it may have looked like back in the day.



This picture shows the height.




View from the top.





View Across Kawainui "the great water" Marsh, a very important ecosystem that developed in the crater of a huge volcano that formed a good portion of this island thousands of years ago. It is the largest wetland in the Islands of Hawaii and home to many endangered species of birds.



Kupuna, seniors, shared traditional skills.
Here you see keiki learning to make traditional Kapa cloth and to imprint historic patterns upon it - a technique similar to Polynesian tattooing.



Ipu are gourds that play an important role as containers, and as small drums used in chanting, ceremonies, and hula. See the contemporary plastic ipu?




The temple grounds are once again home to numerous Kalo Lo`i,
or taro patches. Hawaiians consider Kalo their older brother. It is their sacred staff of life. Here, a father and son share a quality Saturday on the `Aina, the sacred land of Hawaii


- And everyone enjoyed a traditional lunch.



27 comments:

SG said...

Absolutely fabulous (in college we used the term ab-fab, but I realized it doesn't evoke the same feeling as using the full words) pictures!

Anonymous said...

Such a beautiful world you live in. You are blessed to call it your home. I certainly enjoyed the tour. Great photos. As always, I leave richer than I came. Thank you. Aloha. (I really like saying that.)

the walking man said...

Not just in Hawaii but the world over we better start listening to the ancient wisdom passed down from one generation to the next.

Anonymous said...

I was on tour.
Thankyou !

Dave King said...

Fascinating: thanks for the lovely pictures and the information.

Anonymous said...

I would be in a constant stew about eruptions.

54th Wedding Anniversary Today

Akelamalu said...

I so enjoyed the tour Cloudia. :)

Do pop by my place tomorrow there's a little something for you. x

Daryl said...

I never leave here w/o wishing I was there with you seeing things firsthand .. since I cant, this is the best quick Hawaii, Cloudia fix I know! Aloha!

The Grandpa said...

Aloha, Cloudia. Fascinating post.

We're on our way to California--north of San Francisco--the only place in the country I get the same kind of feeling and sense of beauty I got when we were in HAwaii. Wish we had the time to make the rest of the trip across the PAcific.

Teresa said...

I loved the post, Cloudia. The pictures are beautiful, and I learned so much. Thank you.

DeniseinVA said...

Another great post Cloudia, so much to learn about that beautiful culture and I do learn every time I come here. Thank you My Friend, Aloha!

Deborah Godin said...

More wonderful moments and insights into this land that seems to me to be at once a land apart, and yet somehow strangely familiar...

Maria Verivaki said...

great post - i love your traditions. the gourd makes a wonderful container (we also use something similar on crete), and your polynesian tattooing brings back memories of my years in nz

Charles Gramlich said...

I'd love to see that volcanic wetland. That is very cool.

Kay said...

Beautiful, Cloudia but I don't recognize the area. Where is this?

Carol said...

I love the concept of having a symbolic older brother. Did you marry a native, Cloudia?

Dina said...

The stones, oh, the stones!
The people! I love everything about this post.
You really spread the love, Cloudia. Aloha

Feisty Crone said...

Looks like fun!

Cloudia said...

Aloha, Phoenix!

Tricia, Thank YOU!


W.M. Indeed!

Cloudia said...

Hobo: Namaste!

Dave King: Honored to see you, Professor!

Abe Lincoln: Not here, just on the Big Island (Hawaii).

Ake; Thanks Sis; I always try to visit YOUR site!

Thanks, Daryl: Can get my stuff in one of your many magazines? ;-)


Me too, Grandpa, but enjoy and wave to me!


Teresa & Denise: You both flatter me...and I LOVE IT! ;-)


Deborah: Lovely words!



Med Kiwi: Thanks for sharing that.



Charles; Aloha, man.

Kay: Kailua Road behind the YMCA!
Over the Pali and through the woods ;-). You can visit anytime you want to, neighbor.


Carol: No my husband is a boring Haole (caucasian ;-)

Dina: something familiar about it all, eh? You should hear the kantor, I mean the kahuna chant!
King Kalakaua had a jewish man, Rosenberg, teaching him Hebrew! The torah that he gave the king is now on display at Temple Emanu-el in Nuuanu, Honolulu.

Aloha GRAN!!!!!!!!!

Travis Erwin said...

It's always great to explore the history around us.

Lana Gramlich said...

Thanks for the info. That was very interesting!

SandyCarlson said...

You make me feel like I am exactly there. I grow curious about Hawaiian culture an feel very grateful for all you teach me.

Barbara Martin said...

We need to pay attention to the ancient ways of others. The message we receive is that it is important to listen. Thank you, Cloudia, for this look into history and culture of the islands.

magiceye said...

that was such an interesting post!

namaste /\
aloha!

Dina said...

No! Really?? What a connection!

Cloudia said...

Thank you ALL!!!!!