Kahalawai

Aloha mai e nā hoa pepeiao. Kahālāwai is the name of the West Maui Mountain Range. For our 'ohana it is our backdrop, the view we enjoy each and every day. In the mornings we all look to see what Kahālāwai looks like as we drive to school and work. Some mornings it is bright and beautiful, glistening in the morning sun without a single cloud to hide its verdant mountains. Days like this remind us of the sacredness of this wahi pana as reaches toward the heavens. On other mornings it is misty and mystical, adorned by the uhiwai, the heavy fog and misty rains. On days like these we are reminded that Kahālāwai is indeed where the life giving waters of Kāne meet and provide sustenance. Kahālāwai is more than just a mountain range, it is home to our forests, our native plants, the unique environment that makes Hawai'i so special. It is our kūpuna, our ancestor whom we love, admire and respect. This is why our youngest child, Kamahiwa is named after this mountain, Kaleiwehionālanikċikala'iākeaokahālāwai, the adorning lei of the heavens that rises in the peacefulness of Kahālāwai. His name forever connects him to this place. So, today, on his 9th birthday we celebrate the beauty of Kahālāwai and we celebrate how Hiwa will perpetuate the history of this wahi pana through his name and through his life. Hau'oli lā hānau e Kamahiwa Kaleiwehionālanikċikala'iākeaokahālāwai Kawa'a. E ola ka hāloa o ka 'ohana Kawa'a. Aloha nō, a hui hou!

Ka la'i . . .

Aloha mai e nā hoa aloha! Today we explore the Hawaiian word la'i, which literally means peaceful, serene, calm, quiet, stillness, tranquility, solace. It is especially interesting to note that la'i is associated with nature and the elements, specifically rain, wind, the sea, sky. La'i is that feeling you get when you smell the freshness of rain as it falls from the sky. It is the serenity felt when we witness the stillness of the ocean as it glistens in the morning sunlight. La'i is emotion of watching the sun rise from Haleakalā and begin to warm the earth. Often we are so caught up in getting to our destinations and checking off our task lists that we forget to literally stop and feel the la'i that surrounds us daily. Let’s slow down and let the rain touch us or feel the rays of the sun penetrate our souls and rejuvenate us as we relish in the splendor of Ke Akua’s creations. Ah, la'i, serenity, calm, quite, tranquility, solace. May we all be more in tune with those precious moments we are given to enjoy ka la'i. Aloha nō, a hui hou. CLICK HERE to listen to and download the Morning Mana'o Podcast.

Hopena

Aloha mai e nā makamaka aloha nui 'ia. Let’s explore ka 'ōlelo makuahine, the mother tongue of our land. The Hawaiian word hopena translates as result, conclusion or sequel. It is consequence, effect and can mean destiny or fate. For every action there is a consequence. This is reflected in the 'ōlelo no'eau, 'a'ohe lokomaika'i nele i ka pana'i, no kind deed goes without reward. In other words, when we act in a kind, charitable way, we will be rewarded for our efforts, in a positive way. And, likewise, if we act in a way that is hilahila, shameful or maika'i 'ole, not good, there will be a consequence. What’s so interesting about hopena is that we truly choose our consequences when we choose how we act or react. Positive choices bring positive results, negative choices brings negative results. The ha'awina, the lesson is to 'akahele, be careful what we koho – what we choose. If we want our lives to be happy and joyful and filled with positivity, then we must simply koho i ka pono – choose the right and the hopena, the result or consequence will be positive. No laila, mai poina, don’t forget, 'A'ohe hana i nele i ka hopena, no action is without consequence. Aloha nō, a hui hou. CLICK HERE to listen to and download the Morning Mana'o Podcast.

Ku I Ka Mana

Aloha Kakahiaka! He momi kēia. Today’s 'ōlelo no'eau is one of my favorites. Kū i ka māna literally translates as “to be like the one from whom you have learned”. We are familiar with the word mana that translates as spiritual power, however this word, māna has a kahakō over the first a. The translation provided by Mary Kawena Puku'i says, trait believed acquired from those who raise a child. Kū nō i ka māna a ke kahu hānai, trait acquired from association with the one who raised the child. This precious momi reminds us that we all have traits passed on to us through our DNA, but we also have traits that we gain through close associations and interactions with those adults we grow up with. These adult figures in our lives have great influence over us as children. As parents, we have the greatest influence over our children. I often look at my children and feel as if I am looking in the mirror. Yes, sometimes it is scary! Nonetheless, it reminds me of the power we have as parents and as adults in general to influence the life of a child. We must make a conscious effort to be a positive influence to them. What a kuleana we have to our keiki. Just as Western’s say, “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree”, the Hawaiian can indeed say, Kū i ka māna – we are like the ones we associate with and learn from. So, today’s thought is “How can I be a more positive influence in the lives of my children and other children I have contact with?” May we all ponder this question and consciously choose to positively impact the lives of our keiki. After all, our keiki are our future. Aloha nō, a hui hou! CLICK HERE to listen to and download the Morning Mana'o Podcast.

Luhi wahine 'ia, labored over by a woman.

Aloha mai kākou! He momi kēia. Luhi wahine 'ia. Labored over by a woman. Whenever I hear this 'ōlelo no'eau, I am reminded of the many women I know who are not afraid of hard work. Traditionally, men had their kuleana and women had their kuleana. The men went out to the deep sea to gather fish for their family and women gathered food from the shoreline and shallow, reef areas. Traditionally, men were responsible for cooking food in the imu, while women pounded tapa and tended to what was thought to be women's work. As is true in our culture, there were exceptions these rules. Here on Maui, particularly in the Hāna area, women were seen laboring over the imu, from start to finish. If you have ever seen or been a part of making an imu, you know the hard physical work that goes into this process. Imagine these women carrying out the task. Traditionally, men farmed the taro patches, but again, here on Maui, women were noted preparing, harvesting and tending to the lo'i kalo. These women stand as examples to us in today’s world. There are many women I know who are raising their families on their own, women working two or more jobs just to support their 'ohana. There are woman working in positions traditionally thought of as a man’s job. This precious momi reminds us once again of ka mana o ka wahine, the power of the woman. There are times when we may feel powerless and even defeated. But, remember ladies, we each have mana that is innately ours. Remember, there is a reason Ke Akua chose women to bare children. Draw upon that power and strength and with it, we can accomplish anything. Luhi wahine 'ia, labored over by a woman. Aloha nō, a hui hou!

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Ha'awe i ke kua; hi'i i ke alo - a tribute to motherhood

Welina me ke aloha! This episode of Morning Manaÿo honors the role of makuahine – mother. Ha'awe i ke kua; hi'i i ke alo. A burden on the back; a babe in the arms. Literally this 'ōlelo no'eau refers to a woman who works hard, carrying loads on her back while holding her baby in her arms. Imagine, in traditional times the makuahine would bundle up her babe and work in the fields, often carrying bundles of harvested mea ÿai on her back while holding baby in her arms. There was no such thing as day care, babysitting or TDI. Mother gave birth and continued to labor. Now, as we apply this proverb to the 21st century, as mothers we continue to balance our work and our kuleana to our families. Like the makuahine of old, women today often feel like we are carrying our burdens on our backs while trying to balance our babes in our arms. It is a constant struggle to manage work and home. Most of us aren’t able to be home full time. Economics have forced many women out into the work force, holding down full time jobs while caring for and raising up our beloved children. Our days begin early in the morning and end late at night or even in the wee hours of the next morning. Although we are exhausted and we long for more sleep, more quiet, more time, I’m sure we all agree that motherhood is a greater blessing than it is a burden. So, today, mothers, take some time to reflect on the joys of motherhood and lighten the burdens you may be carrying. Ha'awe i ke kua; hi'i i ke alo. Aloha nō, a hui hou. CLICK HERE to listen to and download the Morning Mana'o podcast.

Me he olona ku'u ikaika, I will be strong like the olona.

Aloha mai e nā makamaka, nā hoaaloha o ke kakahiaka! Kamehameha Schools produced a CD a few years ago entitled, ”I Mua E Nā Pōki'i”. Among the many beautiful mele recorded on this CD is the Kanaka Maoli Pledge, in Hawaiian and English. It is a beautiful piece that speaks volumes to us kānaka. One part of the pledge that stands out for me is the line that says, me he olonā ko'u ikaika, i ka ho'opa'a lōkahi 'ana i ku'u lāhui. I will be strong like the olonā, binding my people together. Of all the Hawaiian plants in existence, the haku mele very appropriately chose the olonā to describe our strength and the binding of our people together. Olonā is an endemic native shrub, found only in Hawai'i. Its bark was used in traditional times to make 'aha – cordage and was highly valued as one of the strongest fibers. It was important in traditional society. So much so that it was one of few non-food plants grown on mo'o 'āina, small parcels of land set aside for cultivation. Our kūpuna used this 'aha to make fishing nets, nets to carry containers and as the base for 'ahu'ula, feather capes, mahiole, feather helmets and 'ahu lā'i, ti-leaf capes. Kāhili were bound with olonā cordage and it was used to fasten head of the adze tool to its wooden base. Western traders and explorers bought olonā to rig their ships and harpoon lines. The strength of the olonā fastened together some of the most important things. What an excellent way to describe the kind of strength we as kānaka need to bind our lāhui together and to thrive in this day and age. So, today, I pledge to be like the olonā, strong and steadfast, forever working towards binding our people together in unity. What will your choice be? Aloha nō, a hui hou. CLICK HERE to listen to and download the Morning Mana'o Podcast.