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.