Kanaka Thinking: Hard Work and Prosperity

'Ohi ka manu o ke ao.

The bird of the day reaps its reward.  Puku'i 2366

This proverb praises hard work which leads to prosperity and refers to the bird of the day, the 'ua'u or Hawaiian petrel which flies daily out to sea for its food.

Kanaka Thinking: Becoming a Class Act

Hana a mikioi, lawe a 'auli'i.

Be deft and dainty.  Pukui 447

Said to young people:  Be neat, sweet and clever--not crude and blundering.


Knowing how to navigate flawlessly in the world requires young people to observe the behavior of people who are successful.  Starting with a strong foundation of positive values and a caring attitude, young people can learn much from their elders.

Kanaka Thinking: Keep Sweet Memories of your Birthplace

Lahaina, i ka malu 'ulu o Lele.

Lahaina, in the shade of the breadfruit trees of Lele.  Pukui 1936

Lele, the old name for Lahaina.

No matter how your birthplace has changed, keep the sweet memories of your youth and share them with your children so that they too will share in the beauty of the place where you were born and raised.  In this way, the life of the place remains alive in the minds of many generations.

Kanaka Thinking: The Value of Ancestral Knowledge

Ua lehulehu a manomano ka 'ikena a ka Hawai'i.

Great and numerous is the knowledge of the Hawaiians.  Puku'i #2814

Our ancestors, without the aid of modern technology, were able to unravel the mysteries of nature to create practices and traditions to create a better life.  Conservation, recycling, farming practices, and responsible water management were a few of the things they imbedded into our culture.

The question is when did we lose this wisdom and resorted to actions which were harmful to our environment and our society as a people and a nation?

The second question is when will we be able to move forward on the foundation created by our kupuna to create a better life for the future?  What will it take to affect positive change?  It will definitely not be a a government movement but the work of individuals working cooperatively to make change happen.  For those of us who are kupuna, our job is to raise our children and grandchildren well...knowing kuleana...being respectful...working hard for the common good.  For the young ones, now is the time to listen to the stories of the kupuna that teach the values of our people.  For all, we have to dream that dream of a better Hawai'i Nei.  And then, work toward it!

Kanaka Thinking: Family Traits and Reputation

Ku i ka welo.

Fits into the family behavior pattern.  Puku'i 1870

Whether good or bad, one's behavior is judged by the family he belongs to.

"O wai kou inoa?"  What is your name?  Who do you belong to?  Knowing family connections is an important part of Hawaiian networking.  Keeping the family reputation honorable is very important.  One's alliance with a family known for its honor, integrity, or talent can be beneficial.  

When an individual does something noteworthy, the whole family can celebrate and share in the joy.  When an individual does something dishonorable, the whole family shares the shame.  There are times when children are named after a beloved or honored relative.  The desire is often that the child will carry on the attributes of the relative.  If the child indeed does well and serves as a credit to his/her kupuna, people will say that he is blessed by that relative.  If the child goes astray and brings dishonor to the name, there is much sadness.  In these days of nuclear families, the ties to family are fragile.  Many young people have lost sight that their names represent their history for the generations before them and after them.  

Live a good life and bring honor to your name.

Kanaka Thinking: Thievery and Fear

Ka i ka 'ai ka 'aihue.

A thief is hurt in his thievery.  Puku'i #1390
Theft is accompanied by fear

On the Fourth of July, 2014, someone walked up our driveway and stole our ATV out from our stable.  This was about 9:15-9:30 in the morning.  Although my husband was not home, I was upstairs and by the time I walked across the house, all I saw was the ATV on the highway facing in the Hilo direction and then it was gone.

Such a blatant act of thievery is inconceivable...in broad daylight!  Probably by some of my neighbors.

Two things come to mind.  First is the lack of respect.  Second is the breakdown of the family control.

To steal the ATV, we can only assume that these stealarobbers were watching our home for a while.  They came up the driveway, walked past our dogs, pushed the ATV down the driveway and started it up at the end of the driveway.  They had no respect for us as community members, kupunas, responsible citizens.  They had no respect for themselves as honorable people. Aue, aue, aue.

Secondly, in the old days, word of such crime went around fast!  And if the culprit came from a family, the 'ohana would discipline the wrongdoer who brought shame to the family. So many of the families in our community are dysfunctional and without family leadership,  and young people allowed to do as they wish without boundaries, consequences, and parameters.  Aue, aue, aue for our families, our communities and our nation.

It is my hope that justice will be served and the thieves will reap their just desserts.  Until that time, they must live their lives in fear of getting caught.  Like my mother always said at the end of each Dragnet episode.  "Crime does not pay."

Kanaka Thinking: Imperfection and Beauty

Pu'upu'u lei pali i ka 'a'i.

An imperfect lei, beautified by wearing.  Pukui 2765

Even an imperfect lei looks beautiful when worn around the neck.

A lei, lovingly made, should be cherished and worn with pride.  To pick the flowers and foliage, clean them, and then assemble them constitute a labor of love.  Often a lei maker will have the person in mind and the most astounding foliage and flowers will make themselves available in the forest.