Aloha kakahiaka e nā makamaka! The word makamaka translates as intimate friend with whom one is on terms of receiving and giving freely, pal or buddy. We all have good friends in our lives. Some stick around for a long time and some are with you just for a season. Some come and go in and out of our lives yet they leave lasting impressions on our hearts. I am blessed to have a few makamaka, good friends who are like family to me. Although we are not related by blood, there is a strong connection and bond. I call them my sisters, because that is truly what they are to me. They are always there for me just when I need them. We don’t have to talk or see each other everyday, but as soon as we are together it’s as if no time has passed. We simply pick up where we left off. We’ve shared laughter, happiness and joy and yes, we have shared tears, pain and anguish. Makamaka stand up for you, even when you're not in the room and they hold you up when you no longer can stand. What would I do without these makamaka in my life? So, to all my makamaka, my dear friends, my sisters, my pals, today’s morning mana'o is dedicated to each of you with all my love and aloha! Reach out to your makamaka today and tell them how much you appreciate them and love them.

Aloha nō, a hui hou.

He mau iwi mama ko ke kanaka o ke ali'i.

He mau iwi māmā ko ke kanaka o ke ali'i. The servant of a chief has bones that are light of weight. He who serves the chief must be active and alert. Indeed, this saying was true for our kūpuna. In ancient times the lawelawe ali'i, those serving the ali'i, those closest to him had to be maka'ala, alert, attentive and aware at all times. The ali'i were targets of their enemies. At times they were under seige. Their servants had to be māmā, light on their feet, mākaukau, ready to act and protect the ali'i. They were proactive, making sure safeguards were in place to ensure safety of the ali'i and his company. We can apply this 'ōlelo no'eau to our own lives. Let's think about our families. The family unit today is under attack. Families are struggling. We must be like the servants of our ali'i of old - māmā, quick, fast, swift. We must protect our 'ohana, our children, our kūpuna. We must maka'ala, be aware, alert and attentive to their needs and make sure they are safe. 'Ohana is our greatest gift in life and we need to do everthing in our power to safeguard them and prepare them. Afterall, the greatest work we will ever do will be in the walls of our own home. No earthly accomplishments will compensate for failure in our homes.

Aloha nō, a hui hou!
Luana

He manu ke aloha, 'a'ohe lala kau 'ole.

He manu ke aloha, 'a'ohe lālā kau 'ole. Love is like a bird, there is no branch that it does not perch upon. Love is an emotion shared by all. Like a bird perching from one branch to another, love touches us all. We all feel love, fall in love, give love, receive love. It is one thing we all have in common. Some of us love easily. For others it takes a while. Some people are easy to love and others . . well, we grow to love them. Love has no age limits and is not discriminatory. Love is patient. Love is kind. Love has no envy or conceit. Love is universal. They saying, "All you need is love" is true. When our intentions come from a place of love, it manifests in our thoughts and actions. We love our family, our friends. We love our children, our spouses. As parents there is nothing like the love we feel the first time we hold our children in our arms. As couples, the love we feel makes life worth living. Do you remember you first love? Well, I am lucky enough to be married to my first love. Love grows, love knows no bounds. So like the manu that lele from branch to branch, live a life filled with love and let that love touch those around you, permeating their lives.

Aloha nō, a hui hou!
Luana

'Ie'ie and Koa

Aloha mai kākou e ka lehulehu! I uka kākou. This morning we head to the uplands, to the traditional Hawaiian forest. One of the things we would see in ancient times would be magnificent, large koa trees growing i uka in the dryland forest area. With a light gray bark and crescent shaped leaves, many of these trees stood over 100 feet tall with a diameter of over 10 feet. Koa translates as warrior, brave, bold and fearless. Often you would find the native 'ie'ie vine growing around the koa tree, wrapping itself around the koa from the base upward. The 'ie'ie is a crawling vine that would cling to the koa tree. Let's consider the pilina or relationship between the koa and the 'ie'ie. The koa stands mighty and tall while the 'ie'ie is much more delicate and fragile, yet one compliments the other. So it is in our pilina with each other. Good relationships have this kind of balance. When one person is weak, the other is strong. When one needs protection, the other provides a safe place. When one person is growing and learning the other provides the stable foundation allowing the growth to take place. At times we may need to be the koa, strong, tall, steadfast and immovable. In our vulnerable times we may be like the 'ie'ie, creeping and crawling along clinging to those around us as we make our way. This is what makes pilina, relationships in our lives so important, so essential as we find our way through this journey called life.

Aloha nō, a hui hou!
Luana

Ho'ihi . . . Respect

Aloha kakahiaka e nā hoa pepeiao!

One of the protocols we observe in our culture is hō'ihi, respect, especially for our elders. When we look a little deeper we realize that the word hō'ihi comes from the root word, 'ihi, which means sacred, holy, majestic, dignified; treated with reverence. In pule Ke Akua is often referred to as ka 'ihi'ihi. Hō'ihi is an important Hawaiian value. It is exemplified in our interactions with each other. We teach our keiki to hō'ihi their elders, to be respectful of adults, teachers and leaders in our community. We teach them to show hō'ihi for each other in school, on the playground, at home. We make sure they understand the importance of showing hō'ihi to their kūpuna. The worst thing that we could see is a child disrespecting a kūpuna. Even as adults we understand that kūpuna are treated with hō'ihi and are revered. We never correct a kūpuna, even if we think we know better. When a kūpuna is in the room we are on our best behavior and we are aware of his or her needs. Why? Because they have earned that respect. When we think about our world today hō'ihi is often missing. Sometimes it seems that we have forgotten the importance of being polite, respectful and thoughtful. So, today, our challenge is to be more mindful of our behaviors and to show more respect for each other and most importantly kūpuna.

Aloha nō, a hui hou!
Luana

Hau'oli la hanau e Ka'ahumanu

Aloha kakahiaka e ko Maui! Today, March 17th marks the birthday of Queen Ka'ahumanu. She was a wonderful example of a Hawaiian woman who embraced Christianity and yet was able to hold fast to her culture and traditions. Born at Ka'uiki on the shores of Ponahakeone, Ka'ahumanu was the daughter of Maui chiefess Nāmāhana and her husband, high chief and counselor to Kamehameha, Ke'eaumoku from the island of Hawai'i. With her father's role in Kamehameha's court, Ka'ahumanu spent much of her time on Hawai'i island in the presence of Kamehameha and his most trusted advisors. At the age of 17 she married Kamehameha and although he had many wives, she was considered his favorite wife. Upon the death of Kamehameha, Ka'ahumanu became Kuhina Nui, Prime Minister of Hawai'i and quickly became one of the most powerful Hawaiian woman. She used her intelligence and experience to change Hawaiian laws and together with Keōpūolani and Liholiho, broke the 'ai kapu, by eating together. On December 5th, 1925 Ka'ahumanu was baptized at Kawaiaha'o church. With her knowledge of Christianity she created and presented the first code of law, patterned after the Ten Commandments. She will forever be remembered for her strength, courage and mana as a Hawaiian woman. Hau'oli Lā Hānau e Ka'ahumanu.

Aloha nō, a hui hou . . .
Luana

'Ai ku, 'ai hele

Welina me me ke aloha! Today's Morning Mana'o is an 'ōlelo no'eau, 'ai kū, 'ai hele - eat standing, eat walking. This proverb is said of anything done without ceremony, or of anything unrestrained by kapu. Let's look back in time to find the origin of this wise saying. In 1819, after the death of Kamehameha Queen Ka'ahumanu, Keōpūlani and Liholiho broke the kapu system by eating together. In Hawaiian religion the 'ai kapu forbade men and women from eating together. This act of defiance became known as the 'ai noa, free eating and set into motion the eventual fall of Hawaiian religion. The saying, 'Ai kū, 'ai hele comes from this historical event. Traditionally eating was governed by kapu. To eat standing, eat walking would be a violation of the kapu and as such when we poetically use this phrase we are commenting on someone's behavior that seems unrestrained by rules or kapu. Ceremony and protocol is an extremely important part of Hawaiian culture. To not be governed by kapu was a foreign concept for our ancestors. Protocol creates a sense of respect and reverence when and where appropriate. Although the ancient system of kapu was rigid and it's consequences severe, it provided a code of conduct and governance that kept society functioning properly. Today, we find less restriction in society and the morals and values once important seem to becoming less and less important and the idea of 'ai kū, 'ai hele can apply in many ways. Let us not forget that kapu and protocol is good. It is important for our keiki to understand these traditions. Tune in tomorrow a swe explore these kapu and protocols in more depth.

aloha nō, a hui hou,
Luana

I mohala no ka lehua i ke ke'eke'ehi 'ia e ka ua.

Aloha kakahiaka! I mohala nō ka lehua i ke ke'eke'ehi 'ia e ka ua. The lehua blossom unfolds when the rain falls gently upon it. People respond better to kind, gentle words than to scolding. I really love this ōlelo no'eau. It is such a good reminder. I will be the first to admit that when someone is negative or rude towards me in word or action, my first inclination is to strike back and set them straight. To "tell them off" so to speak. This proverb reminds me that that may not be the best response. Negativity creates and attracts negativity. When we choose to respond with kind words and to be gentle, the outcome is usually positive. I've been experimenting on this concept for the past couple of days. Like most parents, I struggle to maintain peace and harmony in my home at times. I just can't tolerate disrespect. So my natural reaction is to correct and give consequences to change the negative behavior, but instead, I've chosen to try something different and to be only positive. I selected 4 phrases - I love you, I'm sorry, I forgive you and Thank you. Ok, I didn't come up with us all by myself. The author of "The Law of Attraction", Joe Vitale shared a story about a man here in Hawai'i trained in ho'oponopono who cured an entire psych ward of criminally insane inmates using these 4 phrases. I figured, if it can work in a dangerous psychiatric ward, it can work in my home. This beautiful 'ōlelo no'eau will help me on my journey to remember that the lehua truly blossoms forth when gentle rain falls upon it. I believe my children will blossom like the lehua as I choose to speak gentle, positive words to them. You can try, too!

Aloha nō, a hui hou!
Luana

E hamau o makani mai 'auane'i . . .

Welina me ke aloha! He momi kēia! E hāmau o makani mai auane'i. Hush, lest the wind arise. Hold your silence or trouble will come. When the people went to gather pearl oysters at Pu'uloa, they did so in silence, for they believed that if they spoke, a gust of wind would ripple the water and the oysters would vanish. Pu'uloa is the traditional name of the area known today as Pearl Harbor. This 'ōlelo no'eau has a few meanings. First, it reminds me of another saying, He pepeiao ko ka i'a. The fish have ears. Hawaiian tradition teaches us that whenever we prepared to gather anything from ma kai, from the ocean, we would do so silently. As a matter of fact, the silence began before we even reached ma kai. We didn't say out loud, "Eh, we going fishing", instead, we would say that we're going "holoholo". If you talked too much about going and gathering, the fish would hear us and there would be no catch. Now i'a translates as fish, however it can mean any delicasy of the sea. On another level we can relate this 'ōlelo no'eau to ourselves. Sometimes it is better to just be silent. The gust of wind can be compared to an argument or tempers flaring. When we choose to be silent we prevent that gust of wind from whirling through. Not an easy task at times, but it works. When we are silent and do not allow ourselves to become engulfed in the gusty wind we show self restraint, self control, humility and maturity. Oh, how I love these gentle reminders our kūpuna have left for us.

Aloha nō, a hui hou!
Luana

He nahä ipu auane‘i o pa‘a i ka hupau humu.

Aloha mai e nā hoa makamaka! He nahā ipu auanae'i o pa'a i ka hupau humu. A broken gourd can be mended by drawing together and sewing, but it is hard to repair a family rift. A broken relationship is not as easily mended as a broken ipu or gourd. This 'ōlelo no'eau reminds us of the importance of familial connections. Our ties to 'ohana are strong. When we have rifts in our families, when we don't get along or make an effort to get along, these precious relationships become difficult to mend. The longer we let time go by, the harder it is. This proverb really is a reminder to mālama our relationships, hold them close to us and be good to each other. When we make mistakes, e kala aku a e kala mai, forgive and be forgiven. Although a broken relationship may not be as easily mended as a broken ipu, there is hope. Through love, forgiveness and acceptance once broken relationships can be mended, healing can take place and we can move forward with greater joy and happiness. Over the past few weeks I have seen this happen. I have witnessed the miracle of forgiveness, the healing forgiveness brings and the mending of relationships. Today, my challenge to each of each of us to think about the relationships in our own lives that may need to be mended. Are there those whom we need to forgive? Do we ourselves need to seek forgiveness? Like the glue that can mend a broken ipu, love and forgiveness can heal our relationships. No wait, do it today! I promise you that you will find joy!

aloha nō, a hui hou,
Luana