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Maka'aina'na were not allowed on the summit of Mauna Kea, only ali'i. Mauna Kea is sacred because of it's place and purpose, the same features that she provides for astronomy. There are primordial reasons the heavens and astronomy are interlinked with each other. For the ancient Hawaiians, it was where the ali'i ascended to a literally higher plane. Maka'aina'na do not ascend to the heavens, they go to an underworld, sometimes reincarnating in different forms. The ohana could appeal to the ali'i and kahuna to have a relative ascend if they were deemed worthy and the alala would carry their spirit to the peak of Mauna Kea to ascend to the higher planes.
Think of this. When a christian is asked where is hell, they will point down, and where is heaven, they will point up. When they point down, they are pointing to the center of this planet and when they point up, it is into space. There are primordial reasons for this orientation fixation, common to all Earth religions.
Mauna Kea is the resting place of Poliahu. She may be dead but she may just be in a coma. You don't want to wake Poliahu.
"Mahalo nui Pele, 'ae noho ia moku 'aina" - kakahiaka oli
*Japanese tourist on bus through Pahoa, "Is this still America?*
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Not common to "ALL" religions ... A lot of religions like the native Americans look to Animals and Trees, and will point to them as their gods... Some will point to each other and find god "within" themselves. Further more a lot of religions made their god from objects like rocks or glass or whatever... The answer of pointing up or down is not common at all.
Tho, it wasn't until the flood of ships bringing in other religions that the hawaiians started pointing up and down in reference to their god.
Will be interesting to see what the snow level is by next week.
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There are also a lot of religions where there is no concept of heaven or hell.
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Gypsy - some time ago I offered tours of the summit and at least a couple of the observatories to people here. There was essentially no interest. One person here took me up on the offer as well as many others on another Puna forum that no longer exists.
Both were fun tours and I hope that those who went along learned a lot about what goes on at the summit.
I am no longer in a position to offer those tours. We (UKIRT) operate remotely and with staffing levels that mean I have little spare time. However, if a date can be arranged by others which includes using or renting vehicles appropriate for driving to the summit, I'm open to leading another tour someday in the near future.
No beer though, not allowed at the summit (alcohol and altitude don't mix).
http://myhawaiianhome.blogspot.com/2009/...world.html
http://apacificview.blogspot.com/2009/11...-tour.html
Tom
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OK, I'll bite.
"Mauna Kea is the resting place of Poliahu. She may be dead but she may just be in a coma. You don't want to wake Poliahu."
How does one wake Poli'ahu and what are the consequences of her waking up?
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not a question a mere commoner could expect an answer of from an Ali'i, other than the hard way, i suspect.
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Well good thing the Ali'i are long gone. What with the averting of the eyes and the endless taboos. Finally we can live where all (wo)men are created equal!
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quote:
Originally posted by PunaMauka2
not a question a mere commoner could expect an answer of from an Ali'i, other than the hard way, i suspect.
Classic.
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Good point, PM2. So next time I'm on the summit I think I might give Pu'u Poli'ahu a good long, hard and very stern stare and wait to see what happens...
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The bad: Blizzard conditions have shut down the access roads to both summits.
http://www.bigislandvideonews.com/2015/0...i-summits/
The good: snow has made it down again to Mauna Loa Observatories!
http://www.esrl.noaa.gov/gmd/obop/mlo/li...vecam.html
Sorry Tom, but here is to hoping for the predicted 10 inches - kids are looking like they need a snow day. Perhaps the overseers, or Poli'ahu, can get you all some sleighs (I'll gladly chip in for a ride to the top and a race back down
