 I'm Joshua Cooper and welcome to Cooper Union. What's happening with human rights around our world on Think Tech Live, broadcasting from our downtown studio in Honolulu, Hawaii and Moana, New York. Today's episode is focusing on Ho'ulu Lahaina March by Lele Lahaina, focusing on unity and love for Aina family and community. Today we're joined by the main activists and advocates that were coming together to express their love for this Aina. And I really want to thank them all for everything they did, but also to be able to share their wisdom as we reflect on that sacred day. Hey, Amoku, could you share with me why this whole Ulu Lahaina March was so important to you, the community and even the world? Yeah, sure. Basically when everything started from the beginning, we're kind of a little bit segmented all over the place and trying to figure out what we can do for our community abroad. I'm for one that just dove in and tried to figure out how we can adjust the needs of the community at that time. And I know a lot of us did, but it's about bringing everybody's values together. No matter what the situations are, no matter the trials and tribulations that we face, I think unity is the most important thing that we need to really grasp onto, especially when you're dealing with not just the native Hawaiian community, but the multi-generational family that been living in Lahaina for many, many generations to assure them that there's a place for all of us in society. And sometimes we gotta put our differences aside so we can go forward and focus on what is really important. And that's a kakou issue that we are here for everyone, not just certain people, but everyone all over, no matter where, throughout Lahaina, a lot of people that lost everything, we have to kind of stay persistent and be that guiding light to assure the general community abroad that there are people that really care. And we for one, I know we all share the same value, so that's one of the reasons why we got involved is to make sure that it's a kakou issue. Mahalo, Makka, can you share with us a little bit on why it's important to you? So I just wanted to say thank you for this opportunity, Josh. And I'm just gonna segue right into what Kiyomoku was saying, and I'm sure that we all have pretty much the same experience and purpose. So, yes, when this fire hit our town, our homes, it was so, it was unprecedented. So when this fire hit our community, there was a lot of uncertainties, there was a lot of unsure what tomorrow is gonna look like. So what was important was for this ho'ulu, so Mahalo to Lele Aloha for organizing this ho'ulu-lahaina march, because for me, the importance was to bring our kupuna, to bring our makua, our opio, and our keiki, and that's exactly what we had. We had our kupuna walking. We had our makua walking. We had our keiki, our opio, and our keiki. Everyone was walking in unity, and that's what it was. It was a lo'kahi march. And just to see everyone marching together just gave our whole community that ray of light of hope, that we are, like Kiyomoku saying, we come from such a diverse community, but so many of us either came off on canoe and the same families came off even one ship, our kupuna. So it was for me, the importance was having this unity march so that the world can see that our community is very resilient and we are still here in unity. Mahalo Josh. Absolutely, it was definitely somber. It was definitely sacred. It was also stupendous to see people all marching together and the different aspects along the march as well. Heliko, can you share with us some of your insights and why it was so important? It was important to give my children the opportunity to see, the opportunity to hear, the opportunity to engage, and it was important for us to be there to support our kupuna. Many of them did not want to ride. Most of them wanted to walk, and without even asking why, you could just see the strength in them. And so the important part was that when they turned either left or right, that I would be or we would be there to support them. And so that was very important to me. Really appreciate that. And Archie, can you share why you believe it was so important for you, for our community and even the world to have this event as we go forward? Well, I think what I saw and what I was feeling from this community was the need to believe in something and the need, what I saw was a need to be unified. I saw our community being in a place of, to be quite honest, somewhat separate. We needed to find a way to unite this community. And that's not easy to do, especially when you lose everything. Everything's at the surface. Some things aren't as pleasant as others may think. And so just really, really trying to get attention to the community and seeing that I wanted us to get into a place, not a place of blame, but of being more solution-based. And I thought and I hoped that this unity gathering would not put us in that mindset of not blame, but solutions. And the need personally to see people that have never seen since day one of the fire, how important that was to rekindle those relationships when the week before the March is a really trying time, but days before the March when we put up all the flags, not just the Hawaiian flag, but flags from all the people that perished in our community. That was confirmation that no matter what, but no matter what, that's how important this is. It brought to light, it brought to surface, the surface about the divisions that we have in this community. But it also brought to light that we all have the same concerns. We're all trying to get to the same place. And sometimes we don't share the exact same vision, but we're all trying to end up in the same place. That's how important this unity gathering was. And I cannot tell you how many people came up to me and said, thank you, thank you for allowing me to believe. Hello Archie and seeing everyone here today, all the members come back over the past six months from really everyone doing everything and the stories that will never be told about all that the four of you did to make sure that everybody had their basic needs met, to coordinate together campaigns, to be able to create the hubs, to be able to take care of one another. And of course, thinking about all the actions that everyone has done in those six months. And when you said about seeing each other again, it reminds me of when President Biden did visit because that was also the first time many people met. And to see everyone to have the music, to have the ono grinds, to see everybody stand up and just spontaneously do the hula and everybody coming together again, it's what you're sharing Archie about, that sense of being able to come home. Maybe we can build on what Archie was sharing a bit. And Moca, can you share maybe a highlight of the day with the March and some aspects for people who weren't there because as he did allude to it, there was always that gentle breeze. There was also the mist. There was the flower drop. There was everyone through the March. There were the cultural moments along the way with the hula hulao as well as the hukulea and the menijing Ba'a the voyaging canoe out there. Can you share with some people some highlights of the day for you? Yeah, I think the highlight of the day for us was when we got there, basically we tried on Malama as much as we can, you know, the kupuna that kind of moo moo here. So we kind of knew that kind of the reason why we got all our vehicles together to try to contribute to that. And, you know, it was kind of wild in the beginning. I mean, one thing I never gonna forget is that, you know, all of a sudden we had our hardships in the past, but then I got kind of chosen to escort our mayor, Mike Victorino. So it was a good opportunity for me and, you know, in the presence of Mike to kind of talk about the days when he was in charge of the realm. And, you know, we had an opportunity to really iron situations out on, you know, behind our own because a long time we've kind of advocated for good changes in our community and it gave us an opportunity to sit down and I drove in from the beginning all the way to the end. And a lot of my guys from Nye County, Omaway also contributed by just escorting and taking a lot of the kupuna that we knew that, you know, couldn't make the four hour march and catering to a lot of the Kamali as well, a lot of the babies from, you know, five in Anda. And I think the highlight of the moment was when we got through certain areas, especially when the protocol was going on by the different halos, that was powerful. That was a very powerful moment. Then throughout the whole duration, watching the kanus approach the shore and, you know, it's a very, very touching moment for a lot of us, Mahalo too. Oh, Hanawa to our people still hitting a lot of this that went on because although that we many times are so agitated with different kinds of politics that is happening, this march was the highlight moment for not just myself, but a lot of our cultural monitors gave us a good opportunity to one for one have a day off because we've been cranking, we've been cranking in seven days a week, 10 hours a day and being able to take a little time out to think about a lot of things. You know, I had over 35, 36 of our cultural monitors not only on the field, but it was great to have this time off. So they can also be with their Ohana in service of the community as we are in the field. But, you know, just experience everything that would happen. I think this was a success. It was a great success. Yes. Although there are some times when things get kind of a little bit complicated, I'm not only the one that, you know, tried to see if we can ease that tension in many ways, but it was great. The whole event, Shela would be remembered because we're in difficult times and we needed this in order to kind of reel everything back in to reanalyze and resituate ourselves and give us time, more time and off the thing. So Mike Victorino was kind of a really good closure for myself and I give his wife credit and to judge him because I told her, you want to write and she says, no, I'm going to walk all the way. And she did. And I looked at Mike and I said, man, now I know who had a pants in a family. That's awesome. Now we know. Hey, Moka's got a new title, The Tension Eaters. I don't think we ever heard that before. Yeah. Oh, you're going to remember that. So, there's a lot of things that I can kind of recollect who that was, you know, magical. It was very magical. So thank you. Mahalo. Makalapu, I know you were emceeing, you were doing many things. Could you share with us some of the highlights of the day? You know, some of the highlights was, you know, just being there and walking with our Kayaulu, walking with our kupuna and then being told like, Auntie, your kuleana is to watch the governor. I was like, you get plenty of people watching him already. How come I got to watch him too? No, you have to be there. When I got to be with the governor, so I was like, oh, okay. And, you know, we have to learn how to be obedient listeners and do as we are told. So I took on that kuleana. And in the process of, you know, having these wonderful protocols, and I know that, you know, whether it's the state first responders or our county first responders and helicopters that were like hovering around us. And I said, oh, my gosh, you know, this is Kali Raishala, right? That's their halal to doing all their protocols with NTDM. So I said, we need to get that bird out of the way. And I didn't realize that people were watching what I was doing. So, you know, that little fan that was being passed out. It's red. So I said, hey, this is red. So I went and stood on the highest rock that I could find overlooking Lahaina town and just kind of waving them off to like go farther. And they were hovering. And I said farther away until they flew away. And I didn't realize that people was kind of like watching. And they said, wow, Auntie, that was really something that one big helicopter like that you would chase them away. I said, I needed for them to move on the side and go away because we had protocols. And you know, when we do the pulleys, we cannot have disturbance because the pulleys go directly to heaven. And that is what our community needed. And then of course, I get to the stage and doing the MC, that awesome protocol where our Ohana va'a, we never gonna forget that. We're never gonna forget that. And for myself, I'm never gonna forget that. And also just to see the Mele Mahalo to Pona Mary, as he started to sing Pua Mana. Oh my gosh, our community, we just do what we do, stand up and all the aunties and all the Fula dancers get on stage and they all started to dance Pua Mana. And I believe, I think it was maybe Archie Mom went on stage and that was like, amazing. So just to see our Kupuna, our appeal and the hard workers being able to acknowledge, because it really took an army to put what was done on. So just to highlight their efforts, that was my highlight. To give honor to where honor is due. And that was to all the Boots on the ground and they made it over the Mahalo. It definitely was an Aloha Aina army. Definitely when the people come in from the va'a and Kalika, you were reading Na'inoa. Did you share with us a bit, Kalika, about your highlights of the day? Our Kuleana, anytime the Va'a comes in, it belongs to Pukukui watershed. And it is our Kuleana, whether there's a camera or not, anytime the Va'a comes into Honolua Bay, anytime of the day, it is our responsibility to host. And so it was no different to us at Laonio Puku, but what was special is that they were all there. And our crew found it to be an honor to make sure that all of our poor navigators, our 76ers that they were well cared for, because that was the Kuleana on which he had given to us. And the most memorable moment is when you get the navigator, Mr. Thompson, off the beach, because he wants to hug everybody. He said, I just need to see Archie. He said, okay, he's on an interview. Oh, that's okay, but I gotta see Archie. He said, okay, then we'll let you go see Archie, because none of the boats moved until he got back on. But what was a highlight was when I had taken him back to the beach. And right when he jumped on the jet ski, he could have just jumped on and went off, but he shook every one of the watershed guys' hands. And I have it on camera. And that was a highlight to me that every hand doing its share causes our lahui to move forward. And the boys weren't expecting it, but on camera you just watched him handshake all of them and tell them, thank you. And so it makes everything worth it. And most importantly, it gives our children an opportunity to watch history be made in spite of what looks to be chaotic. And so mahalo to our kukuna here and to our uncles and my mom and to you folks for capturing this time of issue. And O'uil Kalahui. Mahalo, and definitely we'll never forget the times with Kukui above Huluwa, the new star compass that's being created. That really, that's school to guide the keiki into the future, the keiki okaena to understand the new way forward. Archie, if you could share with us one of the highlights that you had on that day. Well, you know, my highlight was when I saw Kimoku there. And I saw Makalapua there, standing next to me, giving me the strength. And I tell you guys, how much I needed that time. Then remember walking down the hill, or kill kill those street and looking back and seeing the masses, flags, the people and seeing the canoes at the same time. That was like, that was really, really deep. But I think I was really struggling that day. Then when I saw Kimoku, Makalapua told me, we got this, let's do this. Really, really helped me. And so everything about that day was so special. Seeing Teema, Bob Fenton, his entire staff, Governor Green said, I will not speak because this is the people's march. I wish people really, really knew how much people care for them in line. Sometimes people forget them. But that day everybody gave, everybody gave undividedly. They seemed little, but it was a lot. I just wanted to say thank you. That's what they did. Those were the special moments to me on that day. Mahalo Archie, I feel exactly the same way. When you made that turn and you look back, it just looks like it went on infinitely. Everyone there, the flags were furling. And as you came down, as you said, to see all the va'a waiting all together as well, it just was one of those moments that will definitely be with us forever. And I agree, Kamoku driving was good. Also to see, Maka, you're the most wonderful, beautiful hosts, bringing everyone on, encouraging Pono Murray, concluding with Paul Suga and Jack Johnson as well. And as you shared everyone's speech, Archie, yours, Kaipo, everyone really did share what was on their mind and it nourished everyone's soul. And we could keep going. I would just ask everyone briefly, if you could start, Kamoku, what's your vision for the future? You know, I think there was a time when Archie sounded out, sounded all saying that, you know, we got one chance to do it right. And most definitely we have the greatest opportunity to not just do it right, but to do it Pono. Lahaina had been waiting on the bookshelf for many years on how we can assure that what we do for the future generation is gonna blossom to the right direction. To make sure that we don't overcome a lot of things that, you know, Lahaina has been blindsided a lot when we start talking about how important Lahaina is, Lele is, and you know, the name is so fitting because, you know, Sam Kaai sums it up correctly and perfectly when he says, the old name for Lahaina is Malu Ulu O Lele. And, you know, from that, you know, that gives us an opportunity to start charting our course, making sure that we stay our course and we have the opportunity, greatest opportunity right now to bring that iconic era back so we can have more respect for our past, our Kupuna of the past and how we need to infuse those values into the, by not just the vision of the Kanaka, but the vision of the multi-generational families as well. Everybody has a place in our society they always had. And when people kind of shy away from the fact that Hawaii is kind of a unique place, I always try to remind a lot of people, especially the non-Hawaiian, that if you are here from the time of the crown, then your subjects, your subjects to the crown. And that's a lot to think about because that's what me, us, generational within this era, this Wahi Pala known as Malu Ulu O Lele. So yeah, we have one shot to do it right. And that always is on the back of my mind when we start talking about, okay, what kind of value should we talk about? What kind of things should we bring back? How we can take care of our environment even more because now we start to understand that our environment is necessary. It will help us down a road to grow, to blossom, to bloom. So this is our opportunity and our future generation is within our hands. So mahalo, mahalo, mahalo, mahalo. Mahalo. Locke, if you can share. Say it real quick. So the vision that I have for the future of Lahaina is to have a smart plan. Because when we have a smart plan, then we have a smart plan of action and then we execute the smart plan and that's the end result that we get. So what does that plan look like? Well, culturally focused. So when I'm meaning culturally focused, I mean historical, I mean resources, everything that has to do with our home. So culturally focused, community driven and government supported. So really that's the vision that I see is someone said, if the waters flow the way it's supposed to flow, this wouldn't have happened. So I see an opportunity here for us to do it right the first time and with the plan. So thank you, Josh, mahalo. No, mahalo, it really is talking about being really, as you said, smart, smart science, community centered. Really, as you said, community created and government guaranteed. Also very valuable as we look at that vision. Heliko. The future that I see is that our kupuna very sometimes soon is able to watch the first house go up, the first business to return, the water to return in its rightful place, food to be produced and harvested outside of the valleys. That is the vision that I see. And it is definitely, I want to see our kupuna smile and cry as they walk in their home. Aha, mahalo, Archie. So then the vision I see moving forward for Lahaina is with Hawaiian Valley first and foremost. We have a lot of great leaders in our community, but our leaders don't make up all of what it takes to lead a community. We have to be very diverse. We have to be very inclusive. We have to be accepting help from the outside so that we can guide what we also can take help from others to help us get to where we need to be. The other thing is what I envision for Lahaina is an example for all of Hawaii moving forward. I don't know what that looks like right now. I don't think any of us do because we've been caught up in this westernized way for the last 150 years, but we have enough knowledge around us that can take us down this path, this path to set the course for all of Hawaii. That's my hope. Archie, and I remember you first sharing that at the UN General Assembly when you were meeting with other indigenous leaders virtually and when you said it, you said that Lahaina is a vaha, that if we get Lahaina correct, we could get Hawaii, Hawaii correct, and we could get the world correct because it's been steered off course through different things of commercialism and other aspects that have ignored the culture. In this Oulu March really was an example of Article 20 of the Peaceful Assembly, but it was really also a uniting of all the hearts for a better way forward and a future for everyone. So I wanna mahalo you all for the wisdom you shared today, but also for the Hana, for the work that you do tirelessly day in and day out for the people of Lahaina and all of Hawaii. We're so glad Hokulea could come back. We're so glad we could have this moment and we hope everyone enjoyed watching today and joining us and mahalo nui to everyone. A hui hou. A hui hou. Aloha.