When most people think of the Aloha spirit, they think of sandy beaches and umbrella drinks. Clifford Nae’ole, however, knows it’s much more than that.
Its ancient echoes carry along the waves; its drums beat the ethnic history of a people.
Nae’ole is charged with delivering this message. He’s the cultural affairs advisor for the Ritz Carlton Kapalua, a resort located in West Maui. As part of his daily duties, Nae’ole shares the experiences of his people with every staff member and guest at the resort. A native Hawaiian, Nae’ole takes his role seriously.
“I want people to know what it means to be Hawaiian from the inside out,” he says, “These Islands have a magical, mystical pull.”
Nae’ole wants tourists to appreciate what he calls the “Hawaiian renaissance,” a re-discovery of Hawaiian celebrations, chants, sports, dance, and language.
“It’s very different now than when my father was a youngster,” says Nae’ole. “He was raised to not speak the language of our ancestors. Now, people want to know the language, and want to take part in old customs.”
As a young adult, Nae’ole turned down land he would have inherited from his grandfather’s to travel the world, working in the hospitality field. However, when he returned to Maui, he realized what he’d lost.
“That was both my greatest loss and my greatest gain,” he says. Feeling he’d turned his back on his Hawaiian heritage, he sought ways to re-evaluate his life and see what good could be done for his people.
Hired at the Ritz Carlton, Nae’ole became responsible for making sure that Hawaii’s cultural history was reflected in every element of service. Every Friday morning at the resort, he hosts a seminar called “A Sense of Place,” which includes the award-winning Elizabeth Lindsay documentary short And Then There Were None, which chronicles the disappearing of the native Hawaiian race, and a question-and-answer seminar about Hawaiian customs and ancient myths. Open and honest, Nae’ole tackles issues such as racism, island development, and politics. He says his guests are receptive.
“They treat it very reverently,” he says. “I’ve never seen anyone scoff.”
Nae’ole says that occasionally he’ll receive requests to perform a chant as part of a seminar or luncheon. He explains that the chants are words of prayer, not to be displayed at will. Most people understand, he says.
That’s what Nae’ole strives for: understanding. He believes that the more he tells the story of his people, the more he can find ways to help them. For while many people see Hawaii’s gorgeous beaches and the luxury properties, they don’t see people displaced by development, high levels of unemployment and the isolation of Hawaii’s populace. The Hawaiian Islands were founded when ancient Polynesians sailed north from Tahiti, armed with only their faith in their gods and the stars to guide them. From 700 A.D. to 1778 when Captain James Cook explored the Islands, Hawaii’s people had very little contact with the outside world. Cook opened the Islands to trade, and missionaries arrived shortly thereafter.
Hawaii has since changed. Native Hawaiians married the Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, and Anglo settlers who landed on the Islands’ shores seeking new lives. With Native lands seized, and used for plantations, centers of commerce and hotels, it’s not surprising many Hawaiians feel angry and betrayed.
Nae’ole isn’t one of them. He believes that his words and his lessons are one link in a long chain.
“If I tell you the story of my people,” he says, “maybe you know someone who knows someone who can step up and say, ‘I can help,’ whether it’s with education, opportunity, preservation. I want people to teach someone else.