Honoring Traditions: A Hawaiian Blessing for the Red Hill Pipeline Removal Project

THIS WEEK’S CONTRIBUTOR:
Justen Mokiao-Lee, Construction Management Intern
APTIM | Construction, Operations & Maintenance
justen.mokiao.lee@gmail.com
With a background in emergency management from the US Air Force, Justen is pursuing a bachelor’s in civil engineering at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. His academic work is centered on developing structural engineering solutions that address community health, climate change, and the challenges posed by aging infrastructure, particularly at the Red Hill Underground Storage Facility.

Honoring Traditions: A Hawaiian Blessing for the Red Hill Pipeline Removal Project

On Friday, July 12, at around 1 p.m., under the bright Hawaiian sun, we here at APTIM in Hawaii experienced a beautiful day and deeply moving ceremony as Kahu (priest) Lawrence Agres Jr., known as Kaha Kamana’opono, conducted a traditional Hawaiian blessing for the commencement of our Red Hill pipeline removal project located at the Makalapa tunnel and ADIT 2 on Pearl Harbor.

Traditions of the Hawaiian Blessing

The tradition of Hawaiian ceremonial blessings lives on in Hawaii to this day and is very much a part of the cultural ways of life in the islands. Most Hawaiian blessings are done for groundbreakings, as well as before you move into a new home or start a new business, but they are also done for weddings, vow renewals, families, birthdays, conventions, celebrations of life, etc. Blessings are a perfect time to stop and remember all of life and give thanks to the highest.

Chant and prayer invoke blessings from the highest to bless all who are in attendance. A pule ho’omaka (beginning prayer) is always offered before you begin, and holy water may be sprinkled with a ti leaf, as it was in ancient days. Sometimes we invoke the ho’oponopono process (ask for forgiveness) as well as forgive. There is pule ho’oku’u (closing prayer) to say, “Mahalo nui loa!” (Thank you very much!)

The Blessing of the Red Hill Pipeline Removal Project

The day began with Kahu Agres’s warm and welcoming greeting, making us feel like an ‘ohana (family) right from the start. He shared stories of his journey to becoming a Kahu and imparted his deep knowledge of Hawaiian traditions, particularly the significance of blessings. His narrative was not just informative but also emotionally resonant, providing a profound context for the ceremony.

As he began the oli (chant), Kahu Agres performed the ho’oponopono process, asking for forgiveness for past wrongs and signaling to any lingering negative spirits that we were here with the best of intentions to set things right. This act of reconciliation is central to Hawaiian blessings, reflecting a deep respect for the past and a commitment to moving forward positively.

We offered ho’okupu (a gift, an offering of fruits, vegetables, and/or meat) as a sign of spiritual respect and good intentions. The Kahu used the traditional ti leaf to ward off evil and invite good spirits and good luck to the site.

What the Blessing Means to APTIM

This blessing was a crucial preparatory step for our new project of pipeline removal at Red Hill. Cleansing the site through this sacred ritual aimed to create a pono (righteous, good, and moral) atmosphere and instill a sense of well-being.

At APTIM, our commitment extends beyond the physical work; it encompasses the quality of the environment, the well-being of people, and the health and safety of the community. We want to ensure that our actions are maika’i (good) for the US Navy, military, and most importantly, for the lands and Kanaka (people) of Hawai’i.

As a native Hawaiian, I am proud to be part of a company that respects and integrates Hawaiian cultural practices into its operations. This ceremony not only honored the land and its people but also reinforced our dedication to the community we serve.