About NHC

NOVEMBER 27, 2009 ~ 17 MEN OF THE WAIAWA CORRECTIONAL FACILITY PREPARED FOR MAKAHIKI OPENING CEREMONIES, W/ COORDINATION SUPPORT BY DR. KAHU KALEO PATTERSON, MR. BRYAN NAKAMURA, AND DR. HAAHEO GUANSON

The Native Hawaiian Church is a project of the Pacific Justice and Reconciliation Center (501 C3), and is administrated by a PJRC-NHC Standing Committee of religious leaders and cultural practitioners.

The purpose of the Native Hawaiian Church is to promote, protect, and preserve historical and contemporary indigenous Native Hawaiian religious and cultural rights, traditions, and practices, that are inclusive, of healing traditions, foster understanding, reconciliation, and affirm life, health, and wellness, peace and nonviolence, sovereignty, and religious freedom. This purpose is expressed in the saying by Kamehameha the III: “Ua mau ke ea o ka aina I ka pono” or “the life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness.”

This purpose includes and recognizes the traditions and practices of Makahiki, including the eating of traditional foods, the centrality of the awa ceremony and the many rituals and ceremonies affirmed by the Protect Kahoolawe Ohana and the teachings of Kumu Keola Lake as taught to Na Paahao in the Hawaii Department of Public Safety system and in the community.

The purpose of the Native Hawaiian Church is also concerned with the protection, preservation, and proper management of wahi pana – sacred sites and places throughout the Hawaiian Islands, and all historical, natural, and cultural resources, including iwi kupuna.

Membership in the Native Hawaiian Church is open to all Native Hawaiians/Kanaka Maoli, and Na Paahao in the Federal Bureau of Prisons and the Hawaii State Department of Public Safety. Non-Native Hawaiians are welcome to request membership status.

Find more information about membership HERE or contact us at:

NHC c/o
Dr. Kahu Kaleo Patterson
P.O. 1354
Waianae, HI 96792

Email: pjrcgo@gmail.com

Please provide your name and address, email, and any other pertinent information.

6 thoughts on “About NHC”

  3. Hana hou! Lono i ka Makahahiki hou. Don’t forget the importance of the feather in the ceremony. I shall download your petition and share with my community. It’s important to reach the haumana in middle and high schools, houseless keiki and their parents or caregivers to afford them the same education about our true history, traditions and practices. LIVE ALOHA. Kupuna Didi.

    Reply

    • Aloha Didi,
      Please say more about the feather, and anything else. The Paahao are very interested in researching the traditions and hearing from Kupuna. There is also discussion related to what kinds of personal religious items, symbols, artifacts, or crafts are acceptable by the system for Paahao to have in their cells, as related to Native Hawaiian Religion and Makahiki.

      Reply

  4. The Native Hawaiian Church is currently active in assisting, supporting, and developing the Makahiki programming at the Halawa Correctional Center on Oahu, every Tuesday morning in the Chapel.

    Through the study and practice of cultural traditions, Hawaiian language, chanting and pule, the paahao are able to develop cultural identity, strengthen inner-spirit, restore balance, foster personal and spiritual growth and development in preparation for re-entry into the community and family. Kumu Lokoulu Quitero is the lead cultural practitioner for the Nqative Hawaiian Church and was mentored under Kumu Keola Lake who helped to initiate the Makahiki programs in the Department of Public Safety many years ago. Kahu Umi Sexton is the re-entry specialist and logistics coordinator at Halawa.

    In addition to Makahiki the program includes restorative justice components and group discussion. The use of moolelo or telling one’s story, or changing one’s story is utilized as self-discovery and theraphy. Kimberly Moa helps to coordinate these efforts.

    Please become a member of the Native Hawaiian Church and support the development of programs. Mahalo

    Reply

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