'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