To grasp the essence of the ‘Aha Moku
system – proper stewardship of land
and ocean resources – one must understand
it provides native Hawaiians a life-long
reverence for self-sustainability, and for
resources beginning in the heavens
and ending in the oceans.
First, there is the summit habitat,
Wao Akua, inhabited only by deities,
considered sacred, so closed to public access.
Next, the boundary between humans
and gods, Waokele, a place of spiritual
transition – forest habitat, source of life-
giving waters, therefore closed to public use.
Next, the place of human life
and cultivation, Waokanaka,
agricultural habitat.
Next, the coastal habitat where one comes
to realize how interrelated everything is –
what’s in the sea guarded by what’s on
land (stingray by storm petrel).
From near shore to pelagic fishery
to deep sea – Kai Uli.
Then the ocean boundary between
humans and gods, Kai Malolo, sacred
territory equal to Waokele.
Meditating on ‘Aha Moku,
thinking about the mess man’s made
of this Earth, feeling bereft, the words
of the poet spring to the lips,
Oh let them be left, wildness and wet.*
I tremble under the weight
of being human. I stumble
in and out of the shadows, begging
for a chance to make amends
for sins committed by my countrymen.
With three spins of a prayer wheel,
I feel the power and mystery
of confession, and pray that someday
native Hawaiians will take full
possession of their land and sea.
Oh let this come to be.
*Gerard Manley Hopkins
Note: 90% of Hawaii is owned by the U.S. military and businesses.
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Diana Woodcock has authored seven chapbooks and six poetry collections, most recently Heaven Underfoot (2022 Codhill Press Pauline Uchmanowicz Poetry Award), Holy Sparks (2020 Paraclete Press Poetry Award finalist) and Facing Aridity (2020 Prism Prize for Climate Literature finalist). A three-time Pushcart Prize nominee and Best of the Net nominee, she received the 2011 Vernice Quebodeaux Pathways Poetry Prize for Women (for her debut collection, Swaying on the Elephant’s Shoulders). She teaches at VCUarts Qatar. www.dianawoodcock.com.
