Kanaka Thinking: Hard Work

'Ohi ka manu o ke ao.

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

Said in praise of one's industry whereby he has gained prosperity.  "The bird of the day" refers to the industrious 'uwa'u that flies daily to the sea for its food.

Complaints of stress, overwork, anxiety are often heard when people gather.  Although we have many conveniences in life like th microwave oven, roomba vacuum cleaner, we just don't have time to get all that needs to get done done.  I am wondering how we would have fared if we lived a subsistance lifestyle where we had to gather and grow our own food.  Talk about hard work.

But I suppose that working out in the garden, cooking in the primitive kitchen would make for a simpler life where the priority is to feed the family.  Simplify life.

Kanaka Thinking: Peace and Understanding

E waikahi ka pono i manalo. 

Pukui #284

It is well to be united in thought that all may have peace.

   Peace of mind, unity, harmony...all of these things are necessary to have peace in the world.  When people can agree upon the core values of love, family, and harmony, we can have peace.  When people are burdened by greed, selfishness, ego, then there is disharmony.

     To rid someone's self of these negative attributes, it is necessary to polish your soul.  Polish your soul.  Sometimes, challenging events cause us to polish our soul and re-examine our  lives.  Sometimes it is the quiet times of introspection to help us to see the error in our own ways.  Sometimes it is a sunset or sunrise to remind us of the beauty in our lives.  Polish your soul.  Live to serve others...then we can have peace.

Kanaka Thinking: Family Standards

Ku i ka welo. 

Pukui #1879

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

     Parents in a Hawaiian culture have great responsibility in raising their children to be pono representatives of their family.  Keeping to high ethical standards, portraying humility, self-control, generosity, and compassion, and behaving in ways that bring honor and respect to the family and the kupuna are the huge tasks before the parents in their education of their children.  To bring shame to the family is a great disgrace...not only to the family today but also to the family's ancestors and the future members of the family.

          He pula, o ka 'anai ka mea nui.  Pukui 934.  A speck of dust in the eye causes a lot of rubbing because of irritation.  Let one member of a family do wrong, and like the resultant irritation, he is a shame to all.

     If a child acts up, the question of the adults is often..."who is this child's family?"  The same questions is true if a child does well.  After considering the behavior of the family, the resulting conclusion is, "No wonder."

      In these stressful days, it is easy to understand how some parents have forgotten that the way they raise their children is not only for today but also for yesterday and tomorrow's scrutiny.

Kanaka Thinking: Wisdom through Analysis

Mai lilo 'oe i puni wale, o lilo 'oe i kamali'i.      Pukui 2077
Do not believe all that is told you least you be (led as) a little child.

Don't be gullible:  scan, weigh, and think for yourself.

     Although we are inundated by information, traditional Hawaiian wisdom is still applicable to our lifestyles.  In the old ways, the young were told to observe, listen, and emulate actions of the elders.  By doing these things, traditional arts and skills were preserved.  Observation was a key component to learning.  It is amazing how much scientific information was gathered through observation.  Knowledge of the skies, the ocean, agriculture, aquaculture, conservation...all through observation and collection of data through memory.

     Perhaps the problem with our educational system places too much emphasis on words and numbers instead of placing emphasis on observation and gathering of data and then analysis.  Too many students are waiting to be told what to think.  What is needed is for the students to learn how to think.  Traditional practices focused on hands on learning.  How was theory connected to practice?  How could we put practice to work to serve and benefit us?  Let's see...Let's do it.

     Although the internet is a wealth of information, learners need to get real.  Try things out.  Observe nature and enhance what is known.  Make something.  Build something.  Put imagination into concrete representation.

     Schooling seems to squeeze individual thinking out of kids.  Color within the lines.  Trees are always green.  Sit in your seat.  Use your right hand.  Raise your hand if you have the correct/appropriate answer.  Stand in single fine.  Visual and kinesthetic learners don't have a prayer in school where linguistic and numeric learners reign supreme.

     We cannot change a huge bureaucracy like a national educational system unlike what No child Left Behind seems to think.  We need to start at home with our children to encourage them to be better thinkers and doers.  Parents must be the best teachers to cultivate the best learners for our future.

Kanaka Thinking: Working as a Group

E ala!  E alu! E kuilima!                   Pukui 258
Up!  Together! Join hands!

A call to come together to tackle  a given task.

     No matter how talented an individual may be, a project is improved, enhanced, enriched by the inclusion of others.  Learning to work together is the opportunity to grow and to help others to grow.  We learn about organization, planning, and respect for each other's talents.  Working together helps us to develop leadership skills and also helps us to nurture skills like patience, tact, and humility.

     Working together makes the completion of a project an object of group pride.  Sharing the work and involving others creates a larger group of stakeholders.  The larger the group of stakeholders, the greater the sense of respect and responsibility.  Moving people toward goals that benefit a larger community is always a worthy call to action.

Kanaka Thinking: Responsibility for Ability

Ka lama ku o ka no'eau.  Puku'i  1430

The standing torch of wisdom

Said in admiration of a wise person.

Knowledge is not the same as wisdom.  Some people may have a lot of knowledge, data, facts and yet remain foolish.  Wisdom is the ability to discern what is prudent, true, and beneficial.  To be considered a wise person, one must accept the responsibility to share and lead others on a path of positive action.  Thoughts without action are useless just as words without action are merely noises in the wind.  In a world of many distractions, people who have abilities need to be able to stand alone, sometimes in the face of adversity, to do the right thing through mentorship, guidance, and persistence.

To move a nation to positive action, those who carry the torch need to step to the front in confidence.

Kanaka Thinking: Hawaiian Humor

Kau ka mahina. Pukui 1612

The moon is shining.

A remark made in fun when a bald head is seen.

Language can be the conveyor of culture. In looking over the many Hawaiian proverbs and poetic sayings collected by Mary Kawena Pukui in her book, 'Olelo No'eau,one can find many glimpses into Hawaiian thinking. References to famous people, places and events may be short but the explanations are rich. Love, marriage, hate, envy, sensuality, and humor can be found in the sayings.

In celebration of the Super Moon's appearance to night, we can also reflect on other sorts of moon shine.

Kanaka Thinking: Recognition of Excellence

He pua no ka wekiu.      Puku'i 922
A blossom on the topmost branch.

Praise of an outstanding person.

Kanaka Thinking: Patience

'Umia ka hanu.  Puku'i 2875
Hold the breath.  Be patient.  Don't give up too easily.

In these times of instant gratification, patience is indeed a virtue.  Everything comes so easily that to struggle is a rarity.  But the struggle and fight to get something done is what provides the value added to an experience, event, or mission.  Be willing to to take a big breath...hold it in, and move onward and forward.

Kanaka Thinking: Wisdom of our Kupuna

Mai kapae i ke a'o a ka makua, aia he ola malaila. Pukui 2065 Do not set aside the teachings of one's parents for there is life there. My mother was not educated. She only completed the fifth grade in Hawaii. Although not well read, she came up with some doozies. "I teach you one thing, you will know 10 things." I used to think this was one of the dumbest things she ever said! Until I was reading a book of Japanese proverbs from the Pahala Public Library. Lo and behold, that statement was in the book of proverbs! My mother was quoting a proverb and I didn't even know it. Like most proverbs, one must create personal meaning through analysis and reflection. Now I understand what she meant. Youth can have a dumbing effect on our lives for a while. Wisdom is gained through experience and understanding.