Kukaniloko During the Summer Solstice

This last Saturday was the Summer Solstice in Hawaii. It was my first experience with this event at Kukaniloko but my third visit this year to observe the setting sun during a solar event. Such as the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. 

This one seemed like the most popular for some reason. As I walked in at around 5pm, there was already a large group gathered, picnic style watching live music playing. I made my way past them, kicked off my shoes and joined the group that my friend Kamana'o was with. Among the group were some familiar faces such as my friend the artist known as John Prime. As well as the caretakers of Kukaniloko from Wahiawa Civic Club hosted by Jo-Lin Lenchanko. Sadly, Tom Lenchanko was out due to a fever. 

Almost everyone came with gifts and they were placed together on a specific pohaku near the piko stone. I don't know the significance of that exact one yet, I should have asked. A couple of families came and left offerings on different pohaku throughout the enclosure. Later that night I would learn that different families have connections with different pohaku there... 

Here is Jo-Lin leading a prayer for the event and so is the gentleman next to her, David Wallace. He also had a lot of insight on Kukaniloko, it's meaning and culmination to this specific time and place. 
David calculated that the exact moment that Kukaniloko would align with the center of the universe would be at 6:32pm that day, and how this is one of the rare places that actually emits mana. Besides the other instance where one could receive mana from asking for it from their ancestors. 
When a child of the land visits this place, all of their ancestors are also there with them. Leading up to the very dawn of time. Jo-Lin insists that the people of this land did not come here but were already, always here.  A concept that I have also been learning about recently.  

I have seen gatherings with the Lenchanko's at Kukaniloko on youtube. That were actually conducted in the morning during this event in previous years but they found it right to be at sunset this time for this year's Summer Solstice. Keep in mind that in relation to the rest of the world, Hawaii is the last place to have sun in this time zone. The next time zone is already on the previous day.

 Jo-Lin had a very touching speech about Ano'ai, literally meaning a greeting but deeper Kaona meaning is an attitude and lifestyle. If everyone had this trait of simple greeting of one another then the entire world would be a better place.

As the prayers were to continue being offered among the group, and individuals took their own time to silently meditate on the moment. The skies opened to a soft but steady downpour. This was seen as a blessing. All of the stones were now dampened and the piko stone's (or Pu'u Palaoa as Kumu Kaipo'i calls it) concentric circles and other petroglyphs were revealed to relation of the sun's angle that day.

Last but not least was the appearance of a halau out of the Waianae area. They took the time and came to honor this annual momentous occasion with a few Hula Kahiko performances and one of a  more modern rendition of storytelling through song and dance. I did not catch the name of the group the name of their Kumu is Ulukoa, whom mentioned that they are from the district of Waianae of the ocean side, Waianae Kai. So they are connected to the Waianae of the Wahiawa side as well. Even though it wasn't exactly around the corner in distance. As other ahupuaa are on Oahu. He did explain the story each time before they started to dance, what each one meant. He even credited the people that he learned them from. I did not catch any of the specific titles and I feel horrible about it. 

Some words that I recall were Ule Pahu Hula, he learned some from Uncle George Na'ope, and that one of the dances were about the prophecy of change in the islands. 

Others were honoring former Ali'i Ai Moku O' Oahu like Kakuhihewa. 

Another about the journey of the sun and the slowing of it for drying tapa, by Maui at Heleakala, Nanakuli.

There was one about the loss of the native birds and then what resulted in the loss of the birdcatcher, Kiamanu, because of the use of guns

They also had the younger ones perform a dance honoring Kamapuaa. 

I hope someone could tell me who they are. I would't mind learning these chants and even dancing for this halau if they would accept an older dude with a beer belly! This group was awesome let me tell you! .

Finally the conch shells were sounded as the sun set at it's northern most point. Until starting it's southern course back down the ridge of the Waianae range. As viewed from Kukaniloko this northern most point was above Mokuleia.

He mo'olelo no Kaneho'o'wa'a

'O Kaneho'owa'a he kilo hoku

No Kamehameha

'O ka ipu ka honua

Ekolu lalani

'O keala Polohiwa a Kane

'O keala i ke ku'u ku'u

'O keala polohiwa a kalaloa

eelua 'ano hoku

'O 'o na hoku 'ai 'aina,

Na hoku ho'okele'wa'a...

Here was when I noticed that the sun set in line with the one of the tallest stones in the group, in relation to the concentric circles of the piko stone...

Before it got too dark I ran off into the further sections of the cleared sections of Kukanoloko and visited the smaller less visited ahu there...

I had no idea Kahu could party so hard. We were invited to come to an after party with Kamana'o, John and other "metaphysical" intellectuals. We brainstormed and shared some not too serious stories and experiences. John Prime even practiced some string figures used for navigation. This figure is of the Pleiades, Seven Sisters constellation. This constellation is very significant to wayfinding in the Pacific at night. Sometimes each star in the constellation are named after past rulers of each of the Hawaiian islands. But if you simulate this figure in daylight hours you can trace the path of the sun as well. Giving you direction and the changing of seasons...  

This was a very awesome day to say the least. I welcome anyone to visit Kukaniloko during these events or simply visiting our Piko whenever you have the chance. I personally feel a great need to return to this place when ever I feel lost or in confusion about daily life. It makes me centered again for some reason. You should try it! Bring your ancestors too! Let us share breath and have them all connect to each other from days past leading to our own lives here. Aloha!