OLI KŪKULU/MELE KŪKULU

“Oli Kūkulu was composed as a mele (song) and involved to become s a rallying cry in a style of call-and-response.. The words were inspired by the responses to the first stances for Mauna Kea from 2014 to 2017. The vision before my eyes at the time was that of the hoa ʻāina, the natives of this place, my homeland in Waimea. The ancient chiefs and warriors from Puʻukapu to Pololū, had stood on these lands we were now protecting long before our time. We were standing in their footsteps with their strength and their guidance. In 2019 -2020, for nine months on the mauna, Oli Kūkulu ended every ʻAha (ceremony) that was held three times a day, led by native voices of all ages. The chant sealed a collective commitment to protect the mountain and invigorated and inspired the masses who came to the mountain. There we were one, rising together like a mighty wave. “