Kulaiwi, native land

Aloha kakahiaka kākou! The word kulāiwi translates as native, native land or homeland. In the song Hawai'i Aloha we hear the word used - ku'u home kulāiwi nei, which translates as my home, my native land. When we look closely at the word we can break it down to kula, which translates as flat lands or plains and iwi, which we know translates as bones. As we peel away the layer of kaona we find that Kulāiwi has an even deeper meaning - the land of bones or the land of my ancestors. Kulāiwi is an expression of a deep connection to your homeland, your ancestors, your heritage and culture. It reminds us of who we are and where we come from. For those of us who are Hawaiian by blood, Hawai'i is our kulāiwi, it is the native land of our Hawaiian ancestors, our homeland. This is where our kūpuna are from and thus, we have a kuleana to mālama 'āina. Our connection to our kūpuna forever binds us to this land. A land we love and feel connected to. This connection makes us proud to be Hawaiian. Hawaiian pride is not about arrogance, racial hate or segregation, but instead, it is a deep love and appreciation for the rich heritage of our ancestors and the land they held stewardship over. For those who are not Hawaiian by blood but call Hawai'i home, it is your kuleana as well to protect and care for our kulāiwi, our beloved homeland, where the bones of our ancestors rest. And, indeed, we must instill this sense of aloha 'āina in our children so that they, too, will carry on the kuleana of mālama 'āina, caring for and protecting our homeland. So the next time you sing Hawai'i aloha, remember this line and sing it loud - Ku'u home kulāiwi nei, my home, my native land. Aloha nō, a hui hou.