I’m sharing an article this morning that I’m sure will spark some discussion. It was featured in the Maui News yesterday, and has to do with protecting sacred land from unknowing (or uncareful) visitors.
The Book
The book in question in this article is the very popular
Maui Revealed: The Ultimate Guidebook. If you’ve visited Maui in the last few years, there’s a good chance you have this on bookshelf. I know we do.
It is a wonderful book; very helpful, superbly detailed, and well written. Some say it might be too detailed and helpful for some visitors, though, you have been seen ignoring warning signs, trekking through protected areas, or otherwise putting themselves in danger in order to find the hidden things that the book is “revealing.”
It’s been a few years since I’ve flipped through the book, but I don’t recall ever reading anywhere in its pages where it told you, as a visitor of Maui, to trespass, risk your life, or otherwise disrespect sacred grounds. While the book may make things very enticing for its readers to seek out these hidden treasures, I feel it’s ultimately the readers themselves that are ultimately responsible for their actions.
The Article
The article showcases the work of a local cultural group and their efforts to install new signage at sacred grounds in Kapalua. One such area mentioned are the grounds at Makaluapuna Point, which the group mentions has attracted many disrespectful visitors over the years searching for what the book describes as “Dragon Teeth.”
One of the signs now being at Makaluapuna Point features the following message to visitors:
“Makaluapuna is a wahi pana (sacred site) to na kanaka maoli (Native Hawaiians). Entry is discouraged except for Hawaiian protocol or cultural practices. Your cooperation and respect are appreciated. Mahalo – Thank you.”
The group in this particular article are Kapalua Resort employees who are concerned about the sacred grounds in the area, and similar views and quotes in the article are shared from other group leaders as well.
The Bottom Line
For me, I think it’s important that anyone who visits the Hawaiian islands understand that there is a strong cultural respect for the land in which the Hawaiian people have survived off of for so many generations. As visitors to this wonderful paradise, it is our job to honor and respect the land in the same regard that the islands’ residents have, as well as those before them.
When you visit Hawaii, you’re not just stopping at another place on a map. You’re entering someone’s home. It’s the collective home of all the Hawaiian people, past and present. It is a home built on generations of culture, tradition, respect, and honor. Please treat this home as you would your own, and honor those that offer up this wonderful paradise for you to visit.
Talk Story
Your turn. Let’s here what you have to say about this article, the book, or this topic in general.
