- When you asked what was taken away,
much of our identity was looked upon as being unimportant.
And I think we are in all of this fray begging for identity
and a fact that we matter.
(slow music)
I think everyone makes a choice for themself
as how they will carry on into the generations
the things that matter to them.
It's music to hear my little grandchildren
speaking Hawaiian.
When I was a child, we were not really encouraged
to speak and if we couldn't do it well, don't do it at all.
But now all of that has changed
and so that cultural identity is very important to us.
I would be happy anywhere in the world
if my family was with me
but the fact that these are our roots,
our cultural beliefs are such that they encourage us
to continually share them with our family.
Quilting is a avenue by which I can express my feelings.
Our ancestors lived the simple life
but with as little as they had, they shared more.
Ohana is huge
in the Hawaiian style of living
and this is how we perpetuate
all that we've learned from them.
And you know, so many people say don't stay in the past
but if you do not honor the gift from your ancestors,
what do you have to contribute in life?
I admire those who feel so strongly for our independence
but sometimes I wonder do we want independence
or do we want recognition for the things
that were taken away?
It all comes back to the land,
what we appreciate here, what we have gratitude for here.
These things will feed us.
These things will enlighten us.
Many of our values in Hawaiian living
have a lot to do with making connection with the ocean,
with the mountains, with the skies.
This is who we are, we lose this,
we lose what is unique to us.
What does it mean to be Hawaiian?
It is my pulse, being Hawaiian, it is my pulse.
I try to honor my family, my roots, my marriage,
my ancestors, the air that I breathe.
I am Hawaiian and it matters to me that this is my lineage.