`Iolani

Heavenly Hawk

There once was a wise old `Io that lived in an old Koa tree.
The less he spoke, the more he heard.
The more he saw, the more he learned.
Why can't we all be like that wise old bird?

This is a spectacular picture of `Io, the Hawaiian hawk, and represents its humble power,
beauty and grace. It is said that the Koa tree was the choice resting place for the `Io. Perched on
its branches, the Io could survey the landscape or rest before continuing its flight.
`Io is a bird that flies highest above all beings. `Io is a sacred name, coded in the name of the
Creator the Light of Aloha.

`Io is known as a symbol of royalty in Hawaiian culture, and is

sometimes called, `Iolani, or heavenly hawk.

As I was researching information about `Io, the Royal Hawk, for my upcoming book,
HEARTBEAT KU I KA MANA, I came across a profound understanding of `Ios place in
the Seal of the King, and I wanted to share this with you now, rather than later in my book.

I will begin with a rather dry quote, which I found in the book, Moon Big Island of Hawaii:
Including Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, by Bree Kessler. There is a reason I am sharing this
with you, so please allow this paragraph to set up what is to follow:

The Hawaiian hawk (`io) primarily lives on the slopes of Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea below
9,000 feet. It travels from there to other parts of the island and can often be seen kiting the skies
over Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, upland from Kailua-Kona, and in remote spots like
Waimanu Valley. This noble bird, the royalty of the skies, symbolized the alii (Hawaiian
royalty). The `io population was once dwindling, and many scientists feared that the bird was
headed for extinction. The hawk exists only on the Big Island for reasons that are not entirely
clear. The good news is that the `io is making a dramatic comeback, also for reasons still unclear.
Speculation is that it may be gaining resistance to some diseases, including malaria, or that it
may have learned how to prey on the introduced rats, or even that it may be adapting to life in
macadamia nut groves and other alternative habitats.

May I interject a quick comment here... nothing in the universe is happenstance; rather, the
vastness of the Unknown (the Great Mystery) affects our material world, and I personally
believe, that it is the Creators loving spirit that moves within the world of matter, whether we
understand how or believe that it does. Ill come back to this paragraph at the end, but for now,
an intriguing find...
In my research, I came across the story about the warrior priest, Pa`ao, who came from Tahiti
and slaughtered the Priests of `Io. This story was written down by Chief Solomon L. K.
Peleioholani, (1843-1916), who was one of the highest surviving Hawaiian chiefs when he wrote
his book, The Ancient History of Hookumu Ka Lani & Hookumu Ka Honua. I found several
important insights from the book of Chief Peleioholani, but this story touched me the most:

Over about 100 years, 1300-1400 AD, a large number of warlike Tahitians arrived on the
islands of Hawaii. At some point the warrior priest Pa`ao came to Hawaii and found that the
religion (that of the Tahitians) was weakening. He was disturbed that the people lived in peace
and that the "...kapus were few and the ceremonies were simple: that human sacrifices and
cannibalism were unknown; and that the government was more patriarchal than imperial in
nature." (Fornander, An Account of the Polynesian Race, Vol.1, p 209)

To him [Pa`ao], it seemed that the previous invasions from Tahiti, had failed. There being no real
class distinctions and the newcomers being assimilated with typical Hawaiian Aloha. This could
not be tolerated. He went back to Tahiti and then returned with warriors, priests (kahuna) and
royalty (ali'i) of much mana (spiritual power).
With this force, he invaded the peaceful land. He killed the priests of 'Io and changed the
attributes of Ku, Lono and Kane, from detesting human death, to demanding it. He
brought bloody stones from a human sacrificial site in Tahiti and used them to desecrate the
primary heiau (temple) of 'Io on the "Big Island" and then built his luakini (human
sacrificial) heiau on top of it. A few of the priests of `Io escaped to New Zealand, before Pa'ao
had the great voyaging canoes destroyed, his own included. It is not clear if the great Hawaiian
navigators were put to death with the destruction of their vessels, or their escape so infuriated the
invader that he burnt the remaining canoes as retaliation, but Hawaii had very little contact with
the outside world for the next 100 years.
Pa`ao not only destroyed the original Hawaiian culture and distorted their worship of Ku, but
with the introduction of many elemental spirits (like Pele - one chant mentions 400,000 lesser
'gods'), but also of the cruel 'kapu' system. This forbade many things and demanded many more,
with any violation being punishable by death. The laws were strict and always favored the
kahuna and the ali`i.
At some point during the eradication of the priests of `Io, one of them [a Priest of `Io]
predicted that 'one day the knowledge of `Io would be restored to the Hawaiian people.'
For 600 years [700 years now] the families that descended from the priesthood have kept
that hope alive, wondering if one of their sons would be the one.

It is my strong opinion that Alii Nui Moi Edmund Kelii Silva, Jr. is the one of whom this
lone Priest of `Io refers to. It is this Alii, who is restoring the knowledge of `Io, at this time,
to the Hawaiian people, as well as to the world.
King Kelii has shared, and has been an example of this beautiful Spirit of Aloha for countless
years; being brave enough to do so (and paying greatly for his lone voice of challenge to the
remnant of this destructive Pa`ao spirit) through his letters, proclamations and restorative
efforts on behalf of the people of Hawaii Nei.
I would now like to share a beautiful song by Mikahala Roy, First Citizen of the Kingdom of
Hawaii. She is one who speaks for the Hawaiian people, and speaks with the Hawaiian voice.

Mikahalas song was written on July 17, 2011 to honor the Ancestors, and to honor the
Heavenly Hawk, Ali`i Nui Mi Edmund Keli`i Silva, Jr..

Launa Ka Io

Hula Pahu

Supreme One Dwells Here

Leadership Dwells Among Us

Launa ka io (i luna i luna)

Supreme One dwells (above, above)

Kau ana e ka ihi (i lalo ilalo)

Sacred One perches (below, below)

Pohai manu iki (wiwoole, wiwoole)

Smaller birds encircle (fearless, fearless)

I ka ulu Ohai (kuhao kuhao)

In the Ohai tree forest (stands alone stands alone)

Kiei aku ia (ka ikena ka ikena)

He peers upon (the view, the view)

Mai i uka a i kai (na ala na ala)

From the mountains to the sea (the trails, the trails)

Makani o ka aina (ka eka, ka eka)

Wind of the land (Eka breeze, Eka breeze)

Noho wale i ka olu (malu, malu)

Composed, he sits (peace, peace)

Au ana ka niuhi (i hema i akau)

The tigershark swims (southward northward)

Hono Holualoa (na nahu, na nahu)

Holualoa Bay (the bites, the bites)

Huai na iwi (Taierua, Taierua)

Bones of Kupuna revealed (Two Seas, Two Seas)

Ka i ke kapitala (hehiia, hehiia)

Strikes against the Capital (desecration, desecration)

Olelo na kupuna (na leo ka makani)

Ancestors speak (voices upon the wind)

Naau lua iho (ike ole na kanaka)

Doubtful hearts (the people dont understand)

Pila Kenekoa (Akaka Akaka)

Senate Bill (Akaka, Akaka)

Puni wale i ka poe (ponoole ponoole)

Deceives the people (unrighteousness,

unrighteousness)

Launa ka io (maanei, maanei)

The Supreme One dwells (here, here)

Nanawale iho (i loko i waho)

Watchful (inside outside)

He manaolana (ma ka aina i ke kai)

Hope (on land and in the sea)

Ke lana mau nei (nana i ke kumu)

Abides (looking to the source)

Haina ka puana (ka ahailono)

The story is told (by reporters of the last stand)

Launa ka io (maanei, maanei)

Supreme One dwells (here, here)

Pohai manu iki (wiwoole, wiwoole)

Smaller birds encircle (fearless, fearless)

I ka ulu Ohai (kuhao kuhao)

In the Ohai tree forest (stands alone stands alone)

He Mele no Iolani
No KalaniNalikolauokalanikePaki
He Inoa
Song to Honor the Heavenly Hawk
Song in Honor of Ali`i Nui Mi Edmund Keli`i Silva, Jr.

Na Mikahala Roy

Mikahalas song notes:

The hula pahu Launa Ka Io was composed in 2011 & tells of events occurring in Hawai`i.
Landholders at Kamakahonu fell short of upholding the commitment to honor the sacredness of
the First Capital of Hawai`i. Tigersharks were biting swimmers off the Kona coast & notably in
Holualoa Bay -- the bordering sea of famed Keolonahihi. The tsunami of March 11th generated by
a tremendous earthquake in Japan brought waves to Hawai`i that left Ahuena Heiau standing
but the newly renovated hotel at Kamakahonu devastated. In the days following the wave, scores
of iwi kupuna surfaced at Kamakahonu and elsewhere on the coasts of Hawai`i Island.
Challenging days were here desecration of the sacred knew no racial bounds.
When attempts at passing the Akaka Bill in Washington D.C. failed, a state initiative was
launched in 2011 and the Kanaiolowalu register was created to start a new government by selfdetermination. Those who loved Hawai`i and truth pressed on toward the light. A Leader
emerged before his people surrounded by fearless supporters. Proceeding in guidance by Spirit to
help the people, Ali`i Nui Mi Edmund Keli`i Silva, Jr. moves in the Light
.

Returning to the above statements...

The Hawaiian hawk (`io) primarily lives on the slopes of Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea..
The `io population was once dwindling, and many scientists feared that the bird was headed for
extinction. The hawk exists only on the Big Island for reasons that are not entirely clear. The
good news is that the `io is making a dramatic comeback, also for reasons still unclear.

It is with respect and wonderment for `Iolani that I recognize its message to those of us
below its flight path.
I first noticed from the description above that `Io has chosen to continue to fly above the
dwelling place of Akua Mauna Kea & Mauna Loa - which is a reminder to me that we are not
alone, and continue to have Akua watch over us, even though Hawaii Nei has experienced a
decapitated spirit since her treacherous overthrow. And although `Io chose to stay among us,
it also seemed to have chosen to diminish its presence in Hawaii, almost to the point of
extinction. Suddenly though, without a clear reason why, Io began restoring (and expanding)
its presence in Hawaii. I believe this is signaling the return of the knowledge of `Io, just as the
long ago Priest of `Io predicted, and that this restoration is now coming from the love and care
of Hawaiis protector, Alii Nui Moi Edmund Kelii Silva, Jr.
I believe this to be true: Alii Nui Moi Kelii Silva has been given this time in history to
bring forth and restore, the passionate love and light of Akua for his people, so that they can
BE the love and the light to the world sharing their Spirit of Aloha with a world that is
transitioning from the age of man and machine to a new age of spirit of love, peace, wisdom
and harmony - the Golden Age of Aquarius.

Love and Light,

Alie James
October 14, 2016