From passing the tree branches in a zig-zag line to learning more about the Maunawila Heiau, a traditional Hawaiian temple, students said they felt a stronger connection between themselves and their own culture during BYU–Hawaii’s Hawaiiana Service Day.
Organized by the Service Center, the day of service on May 11 gave new Spring Semester students and returning students the opportunity to travel to Hau’ula and clean out weeds and branches at the heiau.
Organizers of the event said usually students come to the service days to clean and weed, but this event was different because learning was at the center of the service.
Unity and culture
Jango Bazar, a junior from the Philippines majoring in business management and member of the Service Center counsel team, said he learned the more we know about other cultures, the more we appreciate our own culture.
“My favorite part of the day was when we lined up altogether and passed those big branches going up. It is a spirit of unity. We also have that type of culture [back home] called the ‘Bayanihan,’ [which is] the act of working together as a community to achieve a common goal about service.”
Bazar continued, “This work can be done faster with more people. I have learned that many hands make the work light.”
Saruul Ochirbat, a freshman from Mongolia majoring in psychology, said he thought it was interesting how Hawaiians show great respect to their ancestors and land. “I should cherish my own culture back home in this way too,” he added.
Anthropology Special Instructor Rebekah Walker explained, “By learning about the meaning of others sacred sites to the culture, you can better appreciate what you have in your own culture.”
Local connections
Some of the volunteers mentioned they live near the Maunawila Heiau but never came to the sacred land until being able to serve at the Hawaiiana Service Day.
Michael Smith, a freshman from Waialua with an undecided major, said even though he went to elementary and high school on Oahu, he learned new information he has never heard before.
“It is my first time to participate in one of the Hawaiian temples. It is special because we said a prayer in Hawaiian and learned the history of the sacred site before we cleaned up the ground. It is something I don’t get even growing up here.”
According to Keo, the reason they prayed before starting the service is to ask for permission to come into the area and to get the right mindset.
Most of the students expressed that the Hawaiian prayer, Hiki Mai, brought them peace. “I feel the spirit when they sing in the native Hawaiian language,” recalled Jin.
Mahealani Keo, an assistant to Walker from Hau’ula, said she has been involved with the Maunawila Heiau since September 2018. She explained she was born and raised in Hau’ula but did not know about the heiau before working with Walker because it was overgrown with brush.
Like Smith, Baily Jin, a senior from China studying communications and peacebuilding, it was her first time to experience a heiau. She said she gained more appreciation for the land after serving.
“I am more conscious about what I am doing [and how it] will affect the Hawaiians. I have learned it is important to not move the rocks when we hike. They should stay with where they are. Every culture is unique. It is important to be more culturally sensitive.”
Keo added, “There are lots of places that need protection. Our job in the program is to maintain it clear.”
Smith added, “It is important to keep the Hawaiian culture alive. We embrace it, and respect it. We are blessed because it is Hawaii.”
Writer: Taffie Kwok