Pule for Maui

By Jack Kiyonaga, Editor 

Photo by Jack Kiyonaga.

On Sept. 1, Molokai joined a statewide prayer vigil for Maui with coordinated ceremonies at dawn, noon and sunset. Broadcasted statewide, the vigil, called Kipuni Aloha no Maui – “embrace beloved Maui” — united the Hawaii community in its sorrow over the devastating August fires. 

“The grief, hardship, and suffering our people are experiencing are unimaginable,” said Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen in a press release regarding the event. “The comfort of pule and the unyielding aloha we have been graced with from so many have made a profound difference as we make our way through the difficult days. There are no words to comfort those who have lost loved ones. Coming together like this helps to ease the burden and pain, and we become a stronger community. In this day of prayer, as we embrace our families, trust in our faith and look to a future that calls upon our care for one another, we find the strength to carry on.” 

Molokai’s noon vigil took place at Keawanui Fishpond and was led by the Pescaia ‘ohana.  

“We will pule for everyone to remember they are not alone, and that the Molokai community stands in solidarity with Maui’s people,” said Mikiala Pescaia in a message to the community prior to the vigil. “Our response is always nui. We fight big, we work hard, we pray hard, we love big.” 

Participants in the ceremony offered a ho’okupu, which represented something for which the community was praying: for health and resilience, for presence of mind and peace, for trust, faith and hope, for forgiveness, compassion and continued kindness.