Another Localism Featured Post!......By Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman
The Hawaiian people and many different ethnic groups living in Hawaii are highly superstitious and believe in the spirits of their ancestors who walked the lands of our islands. The history of Hawaii tells of our great warriors in battle and traveling along the paths along the ridges of mountains and valleys between them to get to the ocean. They are called the "Night Marchers". They can be seen carrying torches to light their way along places where there were battlefields as well.
I have been a resident of Hawaii since 1967 and I have lived the majority of my life on Oahu in Mililani although I have also lived in Waipahu, Pearlridge and in Waipio Gentry. While residing in Pearlridge (from 2002-2005) I really started researching the area because we lived on the top of the mountain (along Onikiniki Ridge and hiking trail) and half the land was Restricted Preservation land. Our home sat between two valleys and mountains. I JUST KNEW that this had to be some kind of pathway of the Hawaiian Warriors to the ocean. I was right!
We had someone come "bless" our home immediately after moving in and he told us this was the direct path of the the Chief leading his warriors down to the ocean. I was wondering why late at night I could hear the faint beating of drums. He chanted and dipped ti leaves in blessed water all over our house. He also told us if we are going to throw any branches and leaves from yard work into the valley to ask permission first. Do not throw trash that will not go back into the land!
So much to consider!
As you know, the islands have very little buildable land because a lot of it is State and Government owned and zoned Restricted Preservation and Conservation which I wrote about in Hawaii (Oahu) Zoning, Special Use and Building Permits. Well, the majority of our burial sites were unmarked graves and there are also "Heiau's" (burial sites surrounded and marked with stones) that were preserved all over our islands as well. So. Guaranteed we are on all kinds of burial grounds.
With that in mind.....whenever construction or digging occurs and they find remains or bones...BY LAW...all work ceases and they are required to call in archeologists and Burial Council Officials to inspect the remains. Construction has been known to be halted for quite some time until they can relocate the bones to a proper burial place.
Bottom line. We follow certain "rules" so as not to upset the spirits such as:
These are just a few examples of the Hawaiian folklore, legends and superstions as well as a couple of other oriental ones. There are so many here because of many ethnic groups and culture that make up our local population here. It is interesting, mysterious and mind boggling. But will you take the chance of upsetting the spirits?
Couple of other articles to read that may interest you as well as the virtual tour of Hawaii! Enjoy!
Blogging about "VOG" in Hawaii
Visitor and Newcomer Safety Tips for Hawaii!
OF HAWAII!
Hawaii Relocations, Hawaii Military Relocation Move PCS. Listening to YOUR needs for your Hawaii Home Buying or Hawaii Home Selling experience for a smooth & successful landing! © 2008
Baby You Can Drive My Car: Waikele Hawaii Neighborhood from the Dashboard
Ewa Gentry- Market and Area Report - Honolulu County Hawaii
Bathroom & Kitchen Leaks- Responsible Condo Living in Hawaii
Buyer & Seller Guidelines: Code of Ethics or Fantasy?
The Legend of the Spouting Horn
Waimea Canyon on Kauai - It Took My Breath Away....Literally
Launani Valley Mililani Condos Homes-Hawaii Relocation Schofield Barracks, Wheeler AAF
Presentation for the Hawaii Home Seller (The Epiphany) UPDATED
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I love to hear about different cultures and beliefs. Thank you for this insight to the Hawaiian culture. I had the opportunity of visiting your Island a few years back. WOW what a great time I had. I am a true believer of some of these superstitions you mentioned. What goes around definitely comes around!! And yes things do happen in threes! Thanks for sharing.
Hi Penny: It's always nice to get "inside" info on the area where we're from....rather than impersonal ones with stats. Glad you found it interesting. Welcome to AR!
Sally I so do enjoy seeing the personal side of an area. I am learning so much about Hawaii from your blogs.
Ashley: I'm so glad you find it useful....I got tired of writing only real estate and thought...gee, wouldn't people really like to know the inside scoop?
Extremely interesting post. Thanks.
Carolin Benjamin
Bob and Carolin Benjamin
The Benjamin Team
Keller Williams Integrity First Realty
Gold Canyon Arizona
WOW!!! This is a totally beautiful post, Sally! Thanks yo so much for-putting it together. I hope you also posted it at Localism.com. ...
Bob/Carolin: Thanks for dropping by. You really don't have to put your whole signature on the comments because we can just click on your name and your whole profile will pop up. At least you're not soliciting me like the ones I've gotten about web design. haha!
janeAnne: Yeah...I know....(modesty set in for a moment hahaha) YUP...these are the kinds of posts that I would read if I were a consumer don't you think? I got tired of the same ole RE stuff ...and thought...gee....give a real inside scoop on something....
Sally, you are a gifted writer and I enjoy getting an insider's view to Hawaii though all your knowledge. I really enjoyed learning so many things I didn't know. You're buidling quite a deposit of valuable knowledge - hmm, I think I've got work to do :-) - thanks for the inspiration
Great post. The Herb Kane painting of the battle at the Pali lookout is one of my favorites.
I remember watching the Brady bunch when they dug up that teeke and it was bad luck and they had to go busy it on some acient burial grounds in the mountains. I also saw something about King Kamaia Maia(can't spell it correctly).
Sally--I remember hearing many of these stories of Hawaii as I grew up....Ok some was from the Don Ho show and some was from the Brady Bunch but what can I say....Thank you for sharing some of the mystery and folklore of the beautiful state of Hawaii. I have never been there but it is on the list of vacations I plan to take! :)
Very nice Sally, TLW and I need to come visit you guys sometime. You live in a great place. Very interesting post. Thanks
Woo Hoo Sally...
This is awesome. Thanks for letting us know in advance that what find in Hawaii...Stays in Hawaii.
If we ever do visit I'll remember that remark :)
TLW...ROAR!
what fun and interesting information - thanks for sharing Sally
Sally, I love reading your posts and I love Hawaii. Haven't been to your Island yet, only have visited Maui. Hope to go back and visit all of the islands.
You always come up with the neatest stuff to write about!
Cyndee: You have bunches in your blogging bank and believe it or not YOU are one of the ones who inspire me for informational kind of stuff.....I know this was a weird subject for some...but you know what? It's stuff to consider when visiting a place that is different.
Randy: When I found the pic I said oh wow cool. It's actually Kamehameha leading his warriors right over the pali and a few of them falling off!
Neal: Yes, we relate everything to the Brady Bunch here too. Darn...you watched that too? Haha!
Teri: You too? Okay, guys. At least the tiki thing may have been on the same wave length but that's it. Anyway, interesting and this is only a teeny bit of what you would learn here!
BB: Strange, mysterious and oh so fun here! If you two come I'll take you to a luau. That'll be fun...I have never been to the Polynesian Cultural Center....never wanted to ....but I would if I had company who would be fun...haha!
TLW: I sure would love to meet you two. The writing speaks of the souls of people...you two are wonderful REAL people.
Sally, awesome! There are so many legends there and I grew to respect the legends as well as the Hawaiian culture. One day I'll tell you about the time I picked up a 1 day outter island tour at HNL from the Big Island, yep, one of the tourists was carrying lava rock w/o Pele's permission...
Lysa: I found a new way of writing for consumers...give em the inside scoop on Hawaii...another localism feature...woohoo! Uh Oh....and what happened?
Lysa, ok, you started what sounds like an interesting story -- now, we need to know the rest of the story!
Anonymous writer: This is the Puu o Mahuka Heaiau (temple, burial site.....human sacrifice site...maybe...and one of two places where ancient chiefs wives gave birth) on the north shore on Pupukea mountain....
Sally~
I noticed that this post was featured at Localism.com. I can see why! The energy you contributed to this post and the information it provides both shine! Congratulations!
Judi: Get Lysa to respond and not leave us hanging!
janeAnne: Thanks so much ...nice to do one that has so much info ....I thought to myself...so if I were the consumer looking at this site...what would I like to know about Hawaii besides just the market and how great I am (kidding on that) and then stuff started flying out of me!
Sally, we love reading the stuff that starts flying out you! hahaha
Judi: I gotta get over to yours and see what's going on...busy day
Fascinating, Sally. Thanks for sharing all this information. Such a unique place. Great pics, too.
Jeff
Jeff: I thought it would be good to give some info because people do not realize when they come to a place like Hawaii there may be some things that aren't good to do!
Those falling off the cliff are his enemies being pushed off. My friend has a limited edition of that painting on his wall. That is one of my all time favorites. The artist, Herb Kane has done most of the famous battles.
There are conflicting stories of the 800 plus warriors (in 1897 when they were building Pali Hwy. the excavators found about 800 skulls and they "guess" that there were more) who lost their lives...either jumping to escape, or during battle...both sides lost lives. In the end of course Kamehameha won over the Oahu Forces... Anyway, found a clearer picture...
Great post, Sally! It's so interesting to learn about the history and customs of an area.
Sharon: Thanks for popping by....just posted another one and have been doing this all week. Not only did I brush up on my information I learned more as well! I took things forgranted living her the majority of my life.