Hemahema vs. Makaukau

Ke welina aloha iā kākou a pau! In today's episode of Morning Mana'o we will compare two Hawaiian words, hemahema and mākaukau. Most of us are probably familiar with the word mākaukau, so let's begin by exploring the word hemahema. Hemahema translates as ackward, clumsy, unskilled, unprepared. It can also mean inexperience, lack of skill and to not know well. We all have phases in our lives where we may feel hemahema in a particular area. As kānaka we have strengths and weaknesses. Now, the great thing is that we can work on the areas where we are hemahema and make our weaknesses become our strengths. On the other hand, mākaukau means able, competent, capable, effecient. It can also mean prepared, proficient, skilled, an expert. Two opposites, hemahema and mākaukau, yet, with hard work, diligence and perseverence, we can become mākaukau in areas we were once hemahema. As we prepare to bring in the new year we all begin to reflect on New Year's resolutions and goals for 2010. May we take the time to think about areas we feel we are hemahema and create goals that will help us to improve and become more mākaukau. Aloha nō, a hui hou.