THE ROCK AND FOUNDATION OF THE RITTE OHANA!!!Today's post is dedicated to the matriarch of our ʻĀina Momona ʻohana, Aunty Loretta Ritte. An activist, mother, hula practitioner, and champion of Hawaiian rights, Aunty Loretta has dedicated her life to Hawaiian land and community. She has protected and nurtured numerous sacred places across Hawaiʻi, standing up for Hawaiian rights to self-determination and the preservation of our natural and cultural resources. Aunty Loretta began her activism with Hui Alaloa on Molokaʻi, standing alongside the community to advocate for Hawaiian access rights. She later became heavily involved with the Protect Kahoʻolawe ʻOhana, risking everything to protect the island from the U.S. Navy. Aunty Loretta worked with others in the community to influence the legislature and create a movement that would successfully lead to the end of bombing on Kahoʻolawe. Her dogged-determination and persistence ultimately paid off, and Kahoʻolawe was returned to the Hawaiian people. This victory remains a beacon of hope for indigenous and environmental activists around the world today, and would not have been possible without Aunty Loretta's undying commitment to change. Aunty Loretta has subsequently dedicated her life, alongside her husband Uncle Walter, to the protection and preservation of Hawaiian rights, natural and cultural resources, ʻike, and community. She remains an important stronghold in our community's pursuit for self-determination and her aloha ʻāina activism continues to inspire new generations of Hawaiian leaders. From Molokaʻi, to Kahoʻolawe, to Maunakea, Aunty Loretta continues to show us what kapu aloha and aloha ʻāina truly means. Notably, Aunty Loretta is a featured author in the biographical text, Nā Wāhine Koa: Hawaiian Women for Sovereignty and Demilitarization, which documents the lives and legacy of four wāhine koa (courageous women): Moanike'ala Akaka, Maxine Kahaulelio, Terrilee Keko'olani-Raymond, and Loretta Ritte.
To learn more about Aunty Loretta, head to our website at www.kaainamomona.org/lorettaritte
Uncle Jerry with Winona LaDuke protecting Hāloa!Jerry Konanui, Winona La Duke, Chris Kobayashi and I in our battle to protect Haloa from GMO.
Uncle Eddie leading the Lāhui!Mahalo Kupuna ka'anana for guiding us in the battle to protect Haloa the Taro.
When, he made that assertion years earlier, I was, Oh, Oh...
Uncle Les and Uncle Charlie - such incredible cultural leaders!Mahalo Uncle Charley for inviting us to Kahoolawe
So true! I remember the dodo lei
THOSE IN HOUSE DISTRICT 13 (PA'IA, HA'IKU, HANA, KIPAHULU, MOLOKAI, LANA'I, KAHO'OLAWE) HERE IS A CHANCE TO GET TO KNOW ME A LITTLE BIT.
"New old answers" -- i LOVE it. E ola koa, Uncle Walter! We like You for live forever!
The second week of planting on our Molokai homestead in Ho’olehua. Plant everyone, be ready in case things get worse, our barge schedule has already been cut in half.
MOLOKAI ...MALAMA YOUR HUNTING PRACTICES. DO NOT WASTE! USE A BIGGER PACK SO YOU CAN TAKE HOME EVERYTHING. 1. Our barge service has been cut in half. 2. National meat processing companies are "hot spots" for the virus and there may be a "meat shortage".
Hana Hou 3 - Subsistence, Fishponds, Planning for the Future
Love ya Uncle Walter!!