November 19, 2017

The beautiful La'ie Tempe.

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We met this Hawaiian gentlemen with his carving display at Waimea Falls where we swam when we first came to Hawaii.  He's a wood carver and carves jewelry out of whale bone also.  He started telling us about ancient burial sites which led to this story below about the 'Night Marchers'. Once as a child out camping and again as a teenager he heard and saw the Night Marchers.  You can believe him or not.  The Polynesian people are very humble and spiritual people that live close to their ancient beliefs.  I found this article online to remember and share with you.

"There is hardly a native Hawaiian or long-term transplant to the islands that has not, at some point when spending time on these shores, had an eerie experience that made them believers in the Hawaiian spirits that rule the night. If you are a newcomer to the islands scoffing and dismissive of the night spirits as colorful folktales, do so at your peril. The Night Warriors, known as Huaka’I po in the Hawaiian language, are frequently seen, especially on nights when the moon is full. During the recent event of the blood or red moon, even though the islands were shrouded in dense clouds, multiple sightings of the Night Marchers were reported to local authorities in different locations throughout the island chain.

Mysterious Moon

Appearing on the last four Hawaiian moon phases, just before the moon goes completely dark, the Night Warriors have frequently been sighted traveling along a historic route that reportedly cuts directly through the Davies Pacific Center in downtown Honolulu. Recent sightings target sacred Hawaiian sites such as sacrificial temples and other locations in O’ahu including King Kamehameha III’s summer palace, Yokomama Bay, Kalalma Valley, Makaha Valley Plantation, Ka’ena Point, and Diamond Head Crater.

On the nights of Kane, Lono, Akua, and Ku, ancient warriors proceed in a single file, venturing forth from their burial mounds at sunset to march in proud unison to revisit sacred sites or the locations of past battles, returning to their graves the following sunrise.

Huaka’i In History

The first documented record of the Night Marchers dates back to the time of Captain Cook’s arrival in the islands. In 1883, recovered archives registered the first reference to a Huaka’i describing a mighty phantom army, the O’lo (spirit ranks) proudly led by the spirit of King Kamehameha, pacing angrily about on the Big Island of Hawaii.

Several residents tell ghostly tales of rhythmic chanting, horn blowing, and the beating of distant drums carried on the evening tradewinds. Both locals and visitors report bright torches sighted in the darkness in areas of dense jungle with no trails. On nights of the full moon, numerous credible sightings of bands of tall and muscular warriors, bronzed and beautiful to behold, are reported. The warriors are described as marching with a god as their leader accompanied by a band of torchbearers leading the way.

Hawaiian storyteller Lopaka Kapanui remarks, “The night marchers’ job wasn’t to terrorize people. It was simply to protect the most sacred, high-ranking chiefs (depending on kapu status, the Chiefs marched in front or behind the procession). The night marchers showed mercy by traveling at night to spare people from harm.”

Escorts Across The Rainbow Bridge

Kahuna elders advise that the Night Marchers only appear during daylight hours when they are coming to accompany a member of their Ohana (family) on their death journey across the rainbow bridge to the joy of the spirit world beyond.

Some people who report encounters with the Night Marchers say that they seem to float just above the ground while other reported sightings of giant footprints in the soil or sand after they have passed. Others encountering the Night Marchers warn that no solid object in their ancient pathway can stop their march, reporting that they trek right through your house, leaving an abiding legacy of fear that requires a cleansing and a blessing before the home is once again inhabitable.

Beware Oahu’s Pali Highway After Dark

Nu'uanu Pali Lookout, Kalihi Valley, and Ka'a'awa Valley on Oahu are known Night Marcher trails. After dark visitors are encouraged to be wary. Oahu's Pali Highway, adjacent to the Kamehameha battle site, is an established pathway of the Night Marchers. Nighttime visits, especially if you travel alone, are not recommended.

On Oahu's windward coast in Kualoa Ranch, in an area said to hold the remains of hundreds of Hawaiian Chiefs, Night Marcher sightings are common, reportedly the cause of numerous nighttime vehicle accidents.

Showing Respect

Historic taboos and the frightening experiences of others tell one that above all, the Night Marchers demand respect. To disbelieve or ignore their mandates is to risk death. Unless one of your relatives is marching in spirit with the warriors and recognizes and acknowledges you, you will die if your look upon their faces.

The Night Marchers are bound to protect their relatives for life and throughout eternity. When you feel the earth beneath your feet begin to tremble, the chanting cadence call of warrior voices, and pounding feet striking the earth, hide. A foul scent of decay precedes the marcher’s arrival; they carry the stench of battle and death.

The Hawaiian people cultivate Ti plants around their homes to provide protection from the Night Marchers and ward off other worrisome evil spirits. When the Night Marchers encounter a home surrounded by Ti plants, they detour and go around until they regain their dedicated path.

Hawaiian natives warn: there is nowhere to hide. When you sense the presence of the Night Marchers, fall flat on the earth with your face buried in the soil. Remain perfectly still, projecting a mind message of respect and submission. You will not die; the warriors will pass."

These are the Ti leaves that are planted around many homes for protection against the Night Marchers and evil spirits.  Good thing we have them around our home.

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This is Raymond, a Hawaiian, one of six guys that Steve plays racquetball with every Monday and Friday at 6 a.m. Raymond spoke at our family home evening and is a wood carver. These are weapons he has carved with shark teeth around it. He shared how you get the shark teeth. You cook a native fruit 'bread fruit' and it stays burning hot for a very long time. Then you mix it with fish guts and take it all out in a boat to the sharks and feed the mixture to the sharks. Of course the sharks eat it and because it's still so hot, it cooks the shark from the inside out and they end up floating belly side up -- dead -- and they safely retrieve the shark teeth.

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We met Olive our first Sunday in Hawaii.  She is from Myanmar.  She was baptized as a young girl by our sweet neighbors, Cal and Alice Andreason, many years ago in her country when they served there on a mission.  Olive has since served a mission and is now attending BYU-Hawaii as a student.  We caught up with her to give her a birthday card we brought here from the Andreasons. She is so tiny in her beautiful native dress.

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We came across this woodcarver while out on a rainy Saturday to watch the waves.  It was pouring rain and he was carving with a very small end of this chainsaw on this delicate item. Zoom in and you can see more.  We were so impressed with his beautiful, expensive carvings that we bought the smallest turtle he had and he signed the back side with his name 'Sini".  Anytime we buy something we have to consider how we'll get it home in 21 months.

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This gross looking snail was on our sidewalk one day.  He was as big as a man's fist.  Health officials in Hawaii have been warning residents not to touch snails or slugs with their bare hands because they can spread a rare parasitic infection known as a rat lung worm.

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These are Maori students from New Zealand performing a native dance.  They're so fun to watch, lots of chanting and body slapping from the guys.

Here we have Tongans in their native dress and woven artwork.

Samoan fire dancers in the Samoan Village at the Polynesian Cultural Center.

We started out at 6:30 am on this hike to avoid the anticipated rain.  It was a 5 mile Hau'ula Loop Hike, so close to us that we walked from our home to the trail head.  This took us to the top of the dense mountain tops behind our apartment with a beautiful view of the ocean.  There are so many steep slippery trails that once the rain hits you literally slide down in red mud.  We found coconut trees laden with coconuts. As we climbed the stairs to our apartment a torrential rainfall started.

Is this the biggest wild boar you ever saw?  Our neighbor with the pig hunting dogs makes a living going after these.  They're terribly destructive and Hawaii pays folks to get rid of them.

Our pig hunter neighbor lives in our cul-d-sac. Our apartment is up the back outdoor stairway of this large home.  We get one of the garage spaces.  I would bet we have the only garage spot of all the missionaries.  We are so blessed with our living conditions.

More of the dogs and pig skulls sitting on the top.  They go out hunting most every day.  Just a different way to make a living.

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Every other Friday on campus (they call it payday Friday), a large indoor market is set up for students, faculty and staff to buy all kinds of cultural foods, fresh vegetables, clothing, jewelry, etc.  Remember, most students don't have cars for shopping.  This is one way to bring the shopping to them.

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'Our' iconic triple palms on 'our' beach with the evening moon.

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Mission Tidbits:

I've decided pedicures are too expensive here, double the mainland price, so I bought polish and remover and will do my own.  You never see a Polynesian with painted nails, only us haolis (mainlanders) indulge.

The only shopping center in La'ie was built and operated by the LDS Church to provide more services to the local folks and the students.  There is a Foodland Grocery store, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, ACE Hardware, hair salon, doctor office, post office, nail salon, ice cream store, auto store, Subway, and a few high priced clothing boutiques.  The center closes on Sunday.  The only stop light is at this shopping center.  This is one of only two lights within an hour driving along the North Shore.

The drivers here are very courteous, no road rage on a two-lane road going 35 mph.  With no stop lights and many folks needing to make left-hand turns, folks kindly stop so others can turn left into the traffic or off the main road.  We haven't heard a single car horn.

The weather is really fun.  It can change every 10 minutes. Usually it's just a burst of rain or mistiness and then the sun pops back out. Most of the rain comes during the night, gratefully that keeps the roosters quiet.

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