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.