He inoa 'ala

Welina me ke aloha e nā makamaka! Today's Morning Mana'o is a precious momi left for us by our kūpuna, He inoa 'ala, A fragrant name. This 'ōlelo no'eau is said of a chief whose reputation is good. Have you ever worn a sweet pikake lei or inhaled the fragrance of fully bloomed puakenikeni? The scent is something not easily forgotten. In fact, the scent of these fragrant flowers often take me back to the very moments in which I smelled that particular fragrance. When I smell puakenikeni I immediately think of Kamehameha Competition with my Kumu Keali'i Reichel and the puakenikeni lei we wore. When I smell ginger I am reminded of my trips to Ko'olau, Maui and the wonderful memories of swimming in fresh water ponds with my Tutu and Papa. The fragrance lasts and so, too, do the memories. He inoa 'ala reminds us that just as vivid memories are evoked by fragrance, we make lasting impressions by our actions. A name that carries a good fragrance, he inoa 'ala, is a name that is associated with goodness, good deeds, good work. Actions speak louder than words and the impressions we make through our actions are like fragrant flowers that permeate the room and leave a lasting fragrance. Ah, what an opportunity for each of us to reflect upon the 'ala, the fragrance we are leaving and the impressions that we are making. We all have the ability to choose each day the kind of impression we want to leave and the reputation we create. There are many inoa 'ala in my life, people who have made lasting impressions and whose reputations have left a legacy of goodness. As KPOA celebrates its 25th Anniversary from the ninth island, Las Vegas, we can reflect upon the inoa 'ala, the fine reputation, the proud name, the lasting impressions the KPOA 'ohana has left upon us and within our community. Mahalo KPOA for 25 years of aloha and ho'omaika'i, congratulations, indeed, He inoa 'ala! Aloha nō, a hui hou.

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