MAUNALUA, Hawaii (KHON2) -- You've probably noticed a sign going into Hawaiʻi Kai that reads, Maunalua. Is it a neighborhood sign? Is it a place name? Lots of folks ask this question.
So, KHON2.com was able to catch up with the Native Hawaiian acitivist responsible for getting this sign installed; and this is what we learned.
Malia Lum-Kawaihoa Marquez, a Native Hawaiian activist, has dedicated her life to restoring the cultural significance of this name.
"Maunalua isn't just a place; it represents our identity, our history and our connection to the land," Marquez said passionately. "When we reclaim our place names, we reclaim our stories."
Born in Maunalua in 1971 and adopted from the Queen Liliʻuokalani Trust for orphaned Hawaiian children, Marquez reflected on her upbringing.
She was raised by a Caucasian mother who migrated to Hawaiʻi from Illinois and a Chinese immigrant father. She shared that she often felt disconnected from her Native Hawaiian roots.
"I was raised in Hawaiʻi but not in Hawaiian culture," Marquez explained. "My mom tried her best, but it’s hard to teach something when you’re not part of it yourself."
Despite these challenges, Marquez found her voice in activism. And once she went to college, it was her mother's involvement in environmental issues that inspired her to explore becoming a community activist.
"My mom founded Save Sandy Beach in the ’80s," she recalled. "As a teenager, I didn't fully appreciate what she was doing. But when I went to college and learned about Hawaiian culture, I realized how significant her work was."
Maunalua, before it became known as Hawaiʻi Kai, was a place abundant in resources. Marquez described it as a vibrant area rich in fish and fertile land.
"We had the Keahupuaʻo Maunalua fishpond, which could feed the entire island," she stated. "This place was once revered by our aliʻi [chiefs]. They understood the value of caring for the land."
Yet, over the decades, colonization and development transformed Maunalua into a residential area known for its affluence.
"Now, when people think of Hawaiʻi Kai, they see luxury homes and wealthy residents," Marquez lamented. "But that’s not the full story. The real richness comes from our culture and our ability to live sustainably with the land."
Marquez’s work extends beyond environmental activism. She focuses on the importance of restoring Native Hawaiian place names to combat cultural erasure.
"Place names are tied to our history," she explained. "When we erase those names, we erase our connection to the past."
Her advocacy for the name Maunalua highlights this struggle.
"When I speak to people on the Nextdoor app, they often don’t understand why it matters," Marquez said. "I remind them, ‘So we are not erased.’ Our people are being erased every day. If we lose our names, we lose our identity."
Marquez’s activism is rooted in personal experience. She lost family members to health issues and struggles linked to systemic neglect of Native Hawaiians.
"My brother struggled with addiction and ultimately passed away from heart failure," she shared. "These are the realities that many indigenous people face. We need to fight for our rights, our names and our history."
The effort to restore Maunalua's name is not just symbolic; it represents a larger movement for indigenous rights in Hawaiʻi.
"Bringing back the Maunalua sign may seem small to some," Marquez noted. "But to us, it’s a big deal. It’s about recognition and respect for our ancestors."
Marquez also emphasized the importance of community in this fight. She collaborates with various local organizations, including the Livable Hawaiʻi Kai Hui.
"We are a collective voice for our community," she said. "It’s not just about me; it’s about all of us coming together to honor our past and protect our future."
For Marquez, reconnecting with her Native Hawaiian roots has been a transformative experience.
"Learning Hawaiian language and culture in college opened my eyes," she said. "I realized that my identity as a Hawaiian is not just about bloodlines; it’s about understanding our values and our place in this world."
Through her activism, Marquez encourages others to engage with their heritage.
"We need to teach our keiki [children] about our culture and our history," she asserted. "If we don’t pass down our stories, who will? It’s our kuleana [responsibility] to ensure that they know where they come from."
Marquez’s work also sheds light on broader issues affecting Native Hawaiians today. She pointed out that many sacred sites are threatened by development.
"When I see bulldozers at burial sites, it breaks my heart," she said. "Imagine if someone did that to Arlington Cemetery. Our ancestors deserve the same respect."
Her comments reveal the urgency of preserving Native Hawaiian culture amidst ongoing challenges. "This fight is not just for us; it’s for future generations," Marquez explained. "If we don’t stand up now, we risk losing everything."
The journey to restore the name Maunalua is part of a larger narrative about identity, resilience and cultural reclamation. For Marquez, every small victory matters.
"We’re not just fighting for a name; we’re fighting for our existence," she said. "Hawaiʻi won’t be Hawaiʻi without Hawaiians. Our stories matter, and we will continue to share them."
Through her work, Marquez inspires others to recognize the significance of place names and the histories they embody.
There will be a blessing to dedicate this new sign at 9 a.m. on Nov. 28. It will be hosted by Marquez and will offer music from Kahu Ainsley Halemanu, Robi and Bobby Meadrow.
Yes, that is Thanksgiving Day. So, it'll be a great way to honor the colonized.
"If bringing back one name can create a ripple effect, then we’re on the right path," she concluded. "We will not be erased. Our history, our culture and our people will endure."