A few short weeks ago a French journalist working for ‘Echappées Belles’ (a TV program broadcast every Saturday on the French TV channel - France 5) contacted me. She said it was one of their most cultural channels and the 90 minute show is dedicated to one destination per week. She was preparing the next episode about Hawai’i and wanted to feature me in it.
That sounded exciting, but what was most interesting to me of all, is that it took her many weeks to find a spiritual cultural practitioner. She said she spoke to over 10 people in the Hawaiian islands and none of them knew how to reach any of us. Well, actually, it isn't like you can look in the directory under the word ‘Kahuna’ and find us ... mostly because we had to go into hiding for a long time when it was forbidden to practice our ancient tradition. So I asked her how she found me and she said she did a Google search!
So then I find myself telling her how my ancestors brought me to her, because I just knew this was not an accident. Only one other time did this happen in this way and it was with a professor at Okinawa University in Japan. He did the same thing to find me and flew here to interview me. Something was starting to happen, something sacred and profound and I could feel it ... and I think it is about spreading our sacred mana - Divine energy. It is about touching others with our ALOHA - our love.
The story they are filming is about Raphael from Paris, who is visiting several of the Hawaiian islands and we meet up on the Big Island. Some of it is filmed here at my heiau (temple) and from here we go to the Kilauea Volcano where I introduce him to Goddess Pele and my ‘Aumakua, Ancestral Spirits. They were a great, friendly crew of four and in the end we were all laughing and doing the ancient ‘honi’ ritual of sharing our sacred breath - by touching our foreheads and noses and inhaling and exhaling together. I wonder quietly, in light of the recent tragedies that occurred in Paris, if this was not one of the sacred ways the Ancients have of bringing love and compassion to them? Certainly they had to be touched by the Aloha Spirit of the people of Hawai’i...
That sounded exciting, but what was most interesting to me of all, is that it took her many weeks to find a spiritual cultural practitioner. She said she spoke to over 10 people in the Hawaiian islands and none of them knew how to reach any of us. Well, actually, it isn't like you can look in the directory under the word ‘Kahuna’ and find us ... mostly because we had to go into hiding for a long time when it was forbidden to practice our ancient tradition. So I asked her how she found me and she said she did a Google search!
So then I find myself telling her how my ancestors brought me to her, because I just knew this was not an accident. Only one other time did this happen in this way and it was with a professor at Okinawa University in Japan. He did the same thing to find me and flew here to interview me. Something was starting to happen, something sacred and profound and I could feel it ... and I think it is about spreading our sacred mana - Divine energy. It is about touching others with our ALOHA - our love.
The story they are filming is about Raphael from Paris, who is visiting several of the Hawaiian islands and we meet up on the Big Island. Some of it is filmed here at my heiau (temple) and from here we go to the Kilauea Volcano where I introduce him to Goddess Pele and my ‘Aumakua, Ancestral Spirits. They were a great, friendly crew of four and in the end we were all laughing and doing the ancient ‘honi’ ritual of sharing our sacred breath - by touching our foreheads and noses and inhaling and exhaling together. I wonder quietly, in light of the recent tragedies that occurred in Paris, if this was not one of the sacred ways the Ancients have of bringing love and compassion to them? Certainly they had to be touched by the Aloha Spirit of the people of Hawai’i...
The French Director and Kahuna Kalei
Even though it is a travel documentary, I agreed to do this film because they were interested in starting the film from a tourist perspective and ending with the soul of the land and its people. Filming at the volcano was emotional for me because I could feel something far greater was happening. It was a misty day, and light rainy weather is always a reflection of something mystical. It turned out that the director preferred it that way, and it was filled with a mystery we could all feel. I gazed into the Kilauea Caldera which started out being deeply covered with fog, and then it cleared just enough to reveal its glory with our beloved Pelehonuamea. A dear friend was with us and I also knew her gentle prayer request to the wind, to clear the mist, had been honored. After the filming, everyone was aware of the returning of the mist, and what had happened. It was mystical and sweet.
There were two women walking by who stopped to watch us. They were very moved by it all and so after the filming I went to greet them. There was also a man and two women from Missouri who had been watching as well. I met up with them in the parking lot and answered their questions. I spoke of my ancestral communication and how everything I do is through their guidance.
Cathy and Rachel with Kahuna Kalei at the Volcano
I shared with them how all of the wisdom and secrets and knowledge I carry comes from them, I am their Ambassador. The Ancestors always remind me of how we are above no one and beneath no one, we are all the same ... we all carry the Divine Light of the Creator within us. I spoke of how they always remind me to touch others with my love. The women had tears in their eyes and said they had chills. I could see in the man’s eyes that he was quietly moved as well. They said that being there that day watching us and sharing in this way, was the highlight of their trip. That moved me deeply. The Ancestors have a way of bringing us together with this kind of tenderness so we can all be blessed by their Aloha.
Perhaps this film crew did work far greater than they know? It is my prayer that those who watch it will feel the love and light of the Ancestors and the Creator; that our sacred culture be preserved and honored through it and that people will receive our greatest gift - as people of the Hawaiian Nation - our Aloha Spirit.
Many blessings to ‘Echappées Belles’ for making all these wonderful things happen!
Update: the film is now available on YouTube. I appear at 1hr 13 minutes and 1hr 22 minutes (if you want to skip towards the end). Please click on the video below - mahalo!
My ohana (family) with the French film crew
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