Kuha'o, stand alone, independently

Aloha kākou e nā hoa aloha o ke kakahiaka! You know, in today’s crazy world there are times where our beliefs and our values may be questioned. Society has changed so drastically and values have shifted. What we hilina'i, believe in, may be questioned and challenged. There are times when we will find ourselves having to stand up for what we believe in, what we truly value, and the stance we take may seem very lonely at times. We may feel outnumbered and out casted. Our kūpuna understood this and had the perfect word to describe it – Kūha'o. Literally kūha'o means, standing alone, independent. Figuratively it can mean, unusual, extraordinary, as rain from a clear sky. A line from a mele says, Nani wale 'o Mauna Kea, kuahiwi kūha'o i ka mālie, beautiful is Mauna Kea, standing alone in the calm. From this simple, yet eloquent line we learn that standing alone can be a beautiful thing. Just because our mana'o isn’t what is accepted by the crowd, that doesn’t make us awkward or ignorant. Remember, Mauna Kea is most beautiful when it stands alone. No matter what our beliefs may be it is important to stay true to who we are, even in the midst of criticism and persecution. Like the rain that falls from a clear sky, it is refreshing and lovely to be unusual and extraordinary. So, whatever it is you believe in, whatever you stand for, if you truly hilina'i, truly believe it, then don’t be afraid to kūha'o, stand independently and even when needed, to stand alone. Aloha nō, a hui hou! To hear the podcast, CLICK HERE.