Kolohe!

E nā makamaka aloha nui 'ia, hau'oli Pō'alima Aloha! Beloved friends, Happy Aloha Friday! Let's end our week on a light note with a fun Hawaiian word - Kolohe. Many of us are familiar with this word. As a matter of fact, I'm sure most of us have used it before. Let's look closely at its meaning. Kolohe translates as mischievous, naughty, rascal and prankster. Kolohe ke keiki. The child is naughty. Kolohe kona makuakāne. His father is a rascal. We can use this word with our keiki, as a reminder to behave. Mai hana kolohe. Don't be naughty. Now, of course this word can have a very negative connotation. In certain contexts it can mean unethical, unprincipled and even illegal. But, for the most part, when we use the word kolohe it is meant in a lighter way. Kolohe wale! Just a prankster. 'O 'oe ma ka hana kolohe. You for act naughty. I think we all have a little kolohe in us. The key is to use in a way that creates laughter and fun without getting too out of control. We balance that kolohe within each us with pono, that moral compass that points us in the right direction. So, the next time you use the word kolohe, think about the context in which you are using it and make sure there's balance. I hopenapule maika'i ia kākou a pau. Have a fabulous weekend. Aloha nō a hui hou.

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