'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