My name is Oriana Leao. I am the youngest child and only daughter of Pitone Leao Jr. and Leolani Pahia. This story that will unfold over the course of 16 wā (time period, realm) is my mother’s story written from my perspective. I come from her and she comes from the beginning of time as Kanaka Maoli know it.
Wā 1
O ke au i kahuli wela ka honua
At the time that turned the heat of the earth
O ke au i kahuli lole ka lani
At the time when the heavens turned and changed
O ke au i kukaiaka ka la
At the time when the light of the sun was subdued
E hoomalamalama i ka malama
To cause light to break forth
O ke au o Makali‘i ka pō
At the time of the night of Makali‘i
“Ya know, da family say we related to him, but nobody when really prove ‘em.” It’s 2004 and my mom is leaning over a glass case in Bishop Museum. Inside of the glass case is a copy of John Papa ‘Ī‘ī’s “Fragments of Hawaiian History.” I never saw the book until that day and at this point in my 14 year old teenage life, that’s exactly how I’d describe my understanding of Hawai‘i and who I am as a kanaka..through Fragments..of Hawaiian History.
My mom had a portrait of Ka‘iana in the kitchen and I had no idea who he was. Just that he must be a Hawaiian chief..and handsome. Hawaiian Style Band played on Saturday nights when we had bar-b-q’s at the house in Fort Bragg, North Cackalacky. Keali‘i Reichel, Braddah IZ, and all the classics played while we cleaned the house on Saturdays. The house HAD to smell like Clorox before we even thought of going to the movies.
Then dad managed to get stationed home and this time it’s Fort Shafter, Honolulu, O‘ahu-a-Lua. Next thing I know, my mom wakes me up on a Saturday morning to take a test. It’s part of the process to apply to some school I know nothing about. She drops me off and says “Just do your best.” The sign at the gate says “Kamehameha Schools.” Then there was the interview. When they asked me “Who is your best friend?” I said “Jesus.” When I tell the story now, people laugh but (truth be told) I was serious then and I’m serious now. Serious like John Papa ‘Ī‘ī’s profile on the cover of Marie Alohalani Brown’s “Facing the Spears of Change.” So, is the family really related to him and who gon’ really prove ‘em?
