Kingdom Era…

Nihoa

Ancient Voyaging

Table Talk …side note

Hey did you know?

Notes…Age 10 - May 27, 2026

This page written part of a young researcher’s journey. His original sketches encourage curiosity, discussion and learning.

In 1822, Queen Ka’ahumanu, the favorite wife of Kamehameha I and the first kuhina Nui, organized a royal expedition toNihoa she formally claimed the island for the Hawaiian Kingdom. The name Nihoa translated as “jagged” or “toothed” describing the Islands steep cliffs.

Ancient Voyaging

1822 Queen Ka’ahumanu

1857 King Kamehameha IV

Today -

Nihoa is Protected as part of Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, preserving its cultural, historical, and natural significance.

Source: Papahanaumokukea Marine National Monument - NihTable Talk Thought: Why do you think Hawaiian leaders continued visiting and documenting Nihoa across generations?

Kia’i’s response it’s their responsibility… to take care people and land. Only a 10 year old can answer that with confidence.

Table Talk

what is adversarial legal system

That means the system is built around opposing sides presenting competing claims, wit the court deciding between them. it is not build around protecting the family relationship or keeping ancestral land together. So when the an undivided-interest family enters threat system, the basic structure is already: Plaintiff versus Defendant. One claim versus another.

Table Talk

Inquisitorial system

what is it ? well it gives the judge a much more active role… which helps the investigate facts, evidence, witnesses, the basic.

CHANT

ʻŌlelo Hoʻomaha — Chant to Pause and Rest

E hoʻomaha.

Pause.

hanu.

Breathe.

E haʻalele i ka mālama i nā lima i mākaukau.

Release the keeping into hands that are ready.

ʻO nā moʻolelo, paʻa ia.

The records are held.

ʻO nā inoa, paʻa ia.

The names are held.

ʻO ka ʻāina, paʻa ia.

The land is held.

E hoʻomaha.

Rest now.

Na ka mālama e mālama.

Let stewardship care for what stewardship holds.

Lady Enoka

Table talk

Preservation of Family Records

Yeh, what we need for the next meeting? No body bring rice balls…you know none can cook better rice than me! who said so, eh I claim rice!

what we covering today, hurry up I got to go dig the patch. You dig for what yeah, mommy told me dig the patch over there. I was thinking to myself if I dig over there not to much sun… but I dig the patch anyway…Mom comes home who dig the patch under the tree… what? rolled eyes.

What we talking about? Preservation of Family Records?

Why should our family keep a record of what we are going through?

No its not what we are going through, its about the system and what we was able to do inside that system.? Now, you really got me confused.

System was built to do exactly what is was built to do - the court, land laws, title rules, deadlines, sales and paperwork even if the results may not be what you hoped. Which will not stop the process.

Our job is to preserve what happened within the system - don’t let the court case become the only version of the story!

Table Talk…remember…

Archivists begin with census records.

Because a census creates a timeline. It places a person in a household, in a community, and at a specific moment in history. Every census becomes another marker that helps verify identity and connect one generation to the next.

Table Talk

Age 7, “Grandma, grand Uncle haven’t called.”

She wasn’t talking about a phone. She was talking about a routine that made her feel part of a bigger family system. So, when Friday came she was waiting for her phone call.

I hugged her and said, “Remember, sweetheart …grand Uncle passed away.” “Thank you for remembering him.”

what a hundred essays tried to explain “the absence of the phone call while she waited.”

“Now, what we do grandma?” the best part ARCHIEVE!!! her eyes big because of the volume of chants, photos, maps, art, poems, so much to do…

“Grandma, one more question.” Ummmm am I happy or sad? well how do you feel? sad, when you remind me, but also happy. Uncle left me lots of books to read. I’m still learning how to read you know. I know some big words, great oh … KALO, AO, and KULEANA… yes, these are part of an Hawaiian’s Life.

Lady Enoka