Ka pouhana.
The main post. Pukui 1544The person on whom others depend for leadership, guidance, and help-the mainstay of the family or group.
Every family needs ka pouhana. My cousin was such a person and the entire family and the in-laws depended on him for advice, counsel, help, and even scolding from time to time. He was a patient listener who was not one to pounce into one's tirade to give a retort. If a scolding was due, he was kind and used questions to make the wrongdoer confront the error of the ways and make the confession one that seemed like it was self-initiated. If listening and talking did no get to the root of the problem, alcohol was a vehicle to clear out all the bullshit and trash, and he could outdrink and outthink anyone. His youngest son appears to be the one who will be wearing his shoes.
We mahalo our ka pouhana for keeping our hale and our 'ohana balanced and stable.
