Returning to Mauliola & Mo‘olelo: Overcoming Traumas of Sand Island with Narratives from the Past

Abstract

With the continually expanding settler colonial presence and a growing capitalist- centric economy in Hawai‘i, relationships between Kānaka ‘Ōiwi (Native Hawaiians) and ‘āina (anyone who feeds emotionally, spiritually, or physically) are becoming increasingly threatened, regardless of whether they are conscious of the fact or not. This paper analyzes the modes through which this settler colonial system has dirtied or traumatized the abundant waters of Hawai‘i by examining the mo‘olelo (story, history) of Mauliola or Sand Island, wading through a history of disease, war, and contamination. To resist these themes centered on isolation, this project also explores methods of healing that aim to restore not only our relationship with ‘āina but also ‘āina’s ea—their breath, life, and sovereignty.