► Chinese Lore for Chinese-Hawaiians - 21 : The Cemetery

Honolulu Star Bulletin, Wednesday, February 27, 1957 - Clarice B. Taylor's "Tales about Hawaii"

    In selecting a site for a cemetery, the Chinese thought of the dragon, the symbol of Heaven, earth and sea.

     If the dragon were happy, then the Chinese reasoned that the spirits of his father and mother would be at peace and happy.

     The site must be on a mound with undulating curves where the imagination of the Chinese pictured the dragon (lum) resting at ease.

     The mound must be enclosed by mountains and have a nice view of the heavens, the mountains and the water.

     These three things, heaven, earth and water would make the dragon happy and so make the spirits of those buried there happy.

     Westerners who knew better are horrified when they visit China and see the most beautiful spots occupied by cemeteries. They do not realize the philosophy behind the selection of the site.

Manoa Chinese Cemetery Welcome Gate

     Manoa Chinese Cemetery on Oahu is a perfect cemetery site.

     It fulfills all the needs - mountains at the back and sides, an undulating mound, and a beautiful, serene view of the sky and seacoast.




A TREE
     If there be no tree growing atop the mound to provide shade and comfort, the Chinese will plant a tree. The tree provides an excellent place for the spirits to rest in and look at the view.

     The mountains surrounding the Manoa cemetery are perfect for this reason. They act as the back and arms of a chair so that the dragon can rest.

     The mountains shut off strong winds, so that a hard wind cannot sweep the spirits away from their peaceful home.

OBLIGATION
     The view from the cemetery fulfills and important obligation. It is peaceful and has the water of the ocean in front.

     The ocean, a stream or a ditch in front of the cemetery is important because spirits are apt to get restless if something goes wrong with their descendants.

     The spirits may wander away from their cemetery home, but when they come to water they turn back and find their homes.

     Spirits never attempt to cross water, nor are they ever drowned in it.

     NEXT: Foong shui.

► Paradise Gained and Lost - 2: The Dream

Honolulu Star Bulletin. Wednesday, January 9, 1957 - Tales about Hawaii, Clarice B. Taylor   

     Kiinoho (the stay at home) dreamed the same dream for three nights in a row.

     After the third dream, Kiinoho told his brother Kiihele (the traveler) of the dream.

     Kiihele, busy thinking about his next trip around the Island, paid no attention to Kiinoho.

     The following night both brothers dreamed the same dream. That made Kiihele take notice and he spoke to Kiinoho about it.

A VISITATION 
     Kiinoho told Kiihele that they must do as the dream said, because the dream was obviously the visitation of an aumakua (family god). Kiinoho observed that it was their duty to obey the aumakua.
     
     The brothers had dreamed that they were to enter Paliuli and to live there.


     The aumakua had said "you will find all your needs supplied without fatigue."
     
     Kiihele loved to roam and he loved the pleasure of resting after tiring himself by running about the Island. He did not fancy the idea of living in one place all the time.

GIVES IN
     After Kiinoho had explained the awful things which might happen if they did not obey their aumakua, Kiihele gave in and set about acquiring the malo and kihei (shoulder cape) needed to live in Paliuli.

     That night the brothers retired at sunset and awakened at the second crowing of the cock before dawn.

     Without saying anything to their family, they set out for Paliuli while it was still dark.

     They climbed the hill back of Keaau which they knew led to Paliuli, fully expecting to meet the terrible dragon on the way.

NEVER SHOWED UP 
     The dragon appeared.

      The brothers kept walking until they entered the forest at dawn and saw a beautiful park before them which they realized was Paliuli.

     It was then they realized that their footsteps had been guided by their unseen aumakua.

     They were the first mortals to look upon Paliuli.

NEXT: Paradise