The field trip we took last weekend to the Kukaniloko birthing stones in Wahiwa, was a very enjoyable experience and I gained new perspectives of ancient hawaiian culture and traditions. Kukaniloko, the actual ancient birthing stones were so fascinating, and the specific traditional steps that the women would follow in order to give birth were unlike any culture that I had ever learned about. The thirty six stones that guarded the entrance of the site, (were actually moved in by the department of natural resources) represented the 36 chiefs that would witness the birth of a new ali'i. The whole site seemed to come together, and I tried to envision what the area would have looked like hundreds of years ago, to when the rocks had a real purpose and when ancient hawaiian cheifs and kapuna that would gather around and witness the birth of a new child. The strict traditions of the way that the baby's were born were very interesting, that the women would never touch the ground and would be supported by her kapuna or family members, and that the birth process was all gravitational and the status of the baby ali'i would be voided if the mother/baby touched the ground at all. The ancient hawaiians believed this place to be very sacred, and it was like I felt the spiritual significance just being there. I came away from this field trip with new perspectives, the knowledge of ancient hawaiian culture and traditions, and the personal longing to find out where my roots exist and where I stand in this world today. What really got me, was how advanced the culture was as far as cosmology, and astrology and their knowledge of their own existence. The sun dial stones were really cool! all in all, great field trip and I really hope to continue to participate and go on cultural and historical excursions!! HPU courses need to integrate more field trips/ working in the field that would be really great to incorporate even in the lower level courses.
I wanted to add a note about our last speaker Ramsey Taum who had come in and spoke for our class earlier in the semester came in and spoke about natural healing and the "energies" of water. The water intention experiment was actually very interesting, and although I was familiar with the experiment before, he really opened my mind up and shared his intellect and own knowledge and perspectives to the class. I must say, the speakers we have had throughout the semester have really opened my mind up and filled it with new perspectives, knowledge, and insights to things that I would have maybe never thought about. I have been inspired to seek out more knowledge, to find the roots of my existence, to experience the fullness of life, and so much more I could go on and on!
