From my window

From my office window, beyond the computer monitor, I see a backdrop of green from the tall grass in the pasture to the swaying drapes of trees. The tall eucalyptus tower over the 'ohi'a, recently freed from the mass of invading trees and shrubs. The straight and narrow guaiwi trees are festooned by 'uluhe scaling their heights.
Malihini pear, persimmon, and citrus trees are like odd holiday decorations festooned with fruit of brown, yellow, and orange.

Out of the corner of the window, I see the edge of our catchment tank, a visual reminder of how many loads of laundry I can do this week.

In the early morning, the sweet songs of the Hwaimei make us stop to listen. The sound of cars passing on the highway become white noise.

The richness of our property is shown by the tall kupukupu ferns that are over two feet tall and grow in large stands in our pasture. The ieie plants, spiraling upward in the trees tell us that the forest is well. How lucky we are to be witness to this kind of beauty.

Kanaka Thinking - Beauty of Home

Ma'ema'e Puna i ka hala me ka lehua.

Lovely is Puna with the hala and lehua. Pukui 2036

Kanaka Thinking - Harmony

He waiwai nui ka lokahi.

Unity is a precious possession. Puku'i 978

In order to have unity, there are times one must surrender the omnipotence of self to the power of the group.

Kanaka Networking

What is your name? Where do you come from? What are the names of your parents? Are you related to ___________?

In the islands, relationships are built on family or community ties. Who are you related to? Who are your people? Complete strangers who find a common relative or acquaintance become fast friends by the binding thread of love. Listen to someone long enough and you will discover the commonality. That is the Hawaiian style.

So many things are based on relationships between people: 'olua, maua, kaua, 'oukou, makou, kakou, lakou. How do we fit into the conversation? Is it a kako'o thing? or are we part of the "other guys?"

There is some wisdom in knowing our place, finding linkages, and building new relationships. Some malihini catch on quickly to this phenomenon and become infused in the culture. Some kama'aina forget the old ways and relate on a Western basis and wonder why they are often referred to with the lakou pronoun. Hawaiian thinking is not based on quantum but rather want-um. Wanting to know the ways of the people...the unsaid, the unspoken, but loudly evident Hawaiian perspective for those willing to listen and observe.

Kanaka Thinking - Missed Opportunity

Lalau aku 'oe i ka 'ulu ka wekiu, i ke alo no ka 'ulu a hala. You reach for the breadfruit away at the top and miss the one in front of you. Sometimes one who reaches afar misses an opportunity that is right before him.

'Olelo Noe'au 1942

Kanaka Thinking - Water

Na wai 'eha. The four water sources on Maui. Puku'i 2300

Wailuku, Waiehu, Waihe'e, Waikapu.

Kanaka Thinking - Strategy

He la koa, he la he'e.
A day to be brave, a day to flee.

In life, there is triumph and defeat, a time to be brave and win and a time to lose and flee.

'Oleno No'eau 716

Be the Salt

From the cliffs of Ka'upulehu,
I look across the deep blue channel and
I see Haleakala rising in the midst.
The warm winds sweep around me
Making the coconut trees move,
Starting their napenape concert of clattering leaves.
I throw my orchid leis to my 'ohana
Across the way on Maui, ku'u one hanau.
I urge them to swim courageously to send our aloha
Past a rhymthm of waves...
Towards Maui and my kupuna.
I get my spoon out to dig brittle salt crystals
Like frozen snowflakes in the lava crevices.
I look for salt collecting pans
And sweep the salt-bitter pa'akai into my cup.
I collect the salt for my hiapo
Leaving our island to a temporary new home.
I dig the salt to remind her that this is her home
Mai poina...her loved ones here.
I urge her to be the salt-bitter pa'akai,
Clinging to the black lava of Moku o Keawe.
Our home.

Kanaka Thinking - Good Work

I hole 'ia no ka i'e i ke kau o ka la.
The time to cut designs in a topa beater is when the sun is high.

Do your work when you can do your best.

Singing your love song

Last weekend, we went to see Kainani Kahaunaele in concert at the Kilauea Military Camp Theater in Volcano. Her sweet voice and humble style were so refreshing. Like sitting in the pala and listening to your cousins singing and playing music. Talk story and think up a new song to sing.

I love how many composers have written love songs and sang them to their loved ones. Ahi Wela is one such song...Hot Fire...love and desire. The public declaration of love and adoration!! What a wonderful gift to give and to receive!!

Kainani also sang a love song to her husband. How beautiful.

We need more public declarations of love and adoration!!

Sad History Beautifully Portrayed

If you haven't had a chance to see the film, Princess Kaiulani, make it a point to see it soon as the film is on limited engagement and the duration of the showing depends on ticket sales.

I must say that I cried throughout the entire movie. Like Iz' song says, "They cried for the people." I cried for my people. I cried to see the futility of their efforts to do battle against a "super"nation. I cried to see the humiliation that they suffered through. A proud nation brought to its knees by a small number of "Anglos" as Thurston put it in the film.

The movie was beautifully done with many details left unsaid for personal research and study. The human elements: Love, separation, dedication, sacrifice, greed are evident in the film. Beauty is contrasted against ugliness, Graciousness against Greed.

Beyond the tears, what is left for us to do? We cannot continue to lament what cannot be changed. The course of action must be determined...action that yields positive results to build the nation. Do we wait for our fated leader to emerge? Do we all become activists? Do we wait for dreams to chart our path? Every day, we need to work to build our nation beginning with ourselves...then our families...our network of friends as the ripple effect grows wider and wider. But nothing can happen if we do not begin with making things right with ourselves.

E ola o Hawai'i Nei.

Kanaka Thinking - Blessings

Kahiko of ke akua

The Adornment of the gods. The gods' expression of approval with a shower of rain.

'Olelo No'eau #1310

Hawai'i 'Opio Making a Mark

Congratulations to Pedro Ka'awaloa for making a mark in the performing arts world of local theater and music. This Hilo High Schol grad attended Harvard and is currently working in the local theater circles in Hilo and Volcano.

Talented, he is a wonderful piano player, arranger of music and also a great conductor. In working with group, he is knowledgeable yet humble. He is a good teacher. I wish him the best of things to come into his life.

Ho'omau e Pedro me kou hana maika'i!!

Protocol

Abiding by societal protocol, though confining at time, can provide a sense of freedom. Knowing where one belongs. Knowing one's kuleana. Knowing who to turn to for counsel, and knowing who to instruct. Knowing the boundaries.

And knowing the freedom within the framework of community and society.

It is a seeming oxymoron but nonetheless a truism.

Kanaka Thinking - Ancient History

Kala kahiko i au wale ai ka la. (Puku'i 1427)

The sun has gone down long since.

A reply to one who asks about something that took place a long time ago.


Ko'u mana'o: Never dredge up old garbage. Its stinky status has lost all semblance of its former self. Live for today.

Kanaka Thinking - Pride

Pa'ihi 'oe la, lilo i ka wai, 'a'ohe 'ike iho i ka hoa mua

'Olelo No'eau 2574

Well adorned are you, borne along by the water, no longer recognizing former friends.

Said of one who grows proud with prosperity and looks down on his friends of less prosperous days. There is a word play on wai (water). When doubled -waiwai- it refers to prosperity.

He mana'o: Don't tilt your nose skyward for you may be drowned by the heavy rains.

Money Beat Good Intentions

I went back to my hometown this past weekend. Being back in Lahaina is always a bitter sweet experience. To celebrate my mother's birthday, we walked out on the seawall by the Lahaina Harbor to say hello to our kupuna whose ashes are scattered out in the ocean outside of Lahaina. It was difficult for any private thoughts with the scores of students having surf lessons right in the waves right next to the sea wall. The ocean is still beautiful but like everything on Maui, crowded with people, malihinis galore.

In the 1960s, my cousin Humio Okimoto tried to work toward planned expansion of Lahaina through the Lahaina Historic Society. But in walking from Pioneer Inn along Front Street up to Lahainaluna Road and along Waine'e Street, I am sorry to say that his efforts were not successful. Tourist shops selling trinkets up to art galleries selling high priced painted filled most of the shops along our walk.

It is indeed sad to see that the local people have evaporated from the town. The things that made Lahaina charming are no more. Even the junky beaches are filled with cars as people try to swim between the shallow reefs. Planned growth could not win over the all mighty dollar. What a shame!!

Lahaina, Sands of my Birth

The sway of 'ohi'a trees outside my bedroom window
Reminds me of the waves at night
Pounding against the sea wall in Lahaina.
Blissful rhythm to lull one into the velvet folds of sleep.

The smell of the salt air mingles with the scent of plumeria
with its sharp citrus fragrance.
As the wind blows, the sweet smell of mango blossoms
A promise for sweet fruit, a sure sign of summer.

The sun beats down with warm embrace as freckles pop.
Bright skies, hot pavement for calloused bare feet.
Dust sits along the roadside waiting for a breeze
to liberate them skyward.

The ocean once so clear you could see Lanai underwater
Is now cluttered by too many feet trampling limu beds
The blue seas still invite the swimmer to seek relief
In the cool waters of the Pacific

Ku'u one hanau, auhea 'oe?
Ka 'aina 'opi'o
He wahi pana hou i keia la
'Aue, 'aue, 'aue

Kanaka Thinking - The Spoken Word

Ka hao o ka wai nui, piha 'a o kai 'Olelo No'eau #1299

When a great flood washes down, the shore is littered with stones and debris from the upland.

When one is careless in speech, trouble results.


Don't let your anger unleash boulders of anger and dissension that remain a burden on the hearts of others.

Language of the Eyes

I noticed Pualani's eyes
Sparkling black diamonds shining brilliantly
Her eyes shifted back and forth
Making contact with someone's heart in the audience
So it is with the language of the eyes
Our kupunas' eyes spoke dissertations.
A snap of the neck, a turn of the head
And the eyes were upon you.
Kulikuli ka waha...be silent.
Ho'oha'aha'a...humble yourself, drop your eyes
Cease and desist...i keia manawa ano...this moment
Stern reminders of behavioral expectations
Uttered in loud silence
In the language of the eyes.

A tllt of the head, a soft hand on the shoulder
Eyes that spoke of velvet capes of love
Love from the past, love in the present
Love to come forever
Wordless expression of love, aloha pau 'ole
Love without end
Encourage us to do the same with others
With a depth of emotion whispered
In the language of the eyes.

While our eyes are black, while we breathe the gift of air
Observe the language of the eyes
Perfect the language of the eyes
Communicate in the language of the eyes.
Too many words blur our meaning.
Eyes speak the truth

Kanaka Thinking - Plan ahead

E 'ai kekahi, e ka;i kekahi

Eat some, salt some

Said to young people: Eat some now and save some for another time.
'Olelo No'eau #252

In times of plenty, put aside something for times of need. While you are young, enjoy it and don't try to make yourself be/look older. Save your memories of youthful antics and your plans for pure exuberance for when you are really old. Then you can relive the zaniness in your mind. If you don't go out and do things, your old age memories will be in black and white instead of technicolor.

When you are eating something delicious, nibble the last three bites. If you overeat, the delicious thing becomes a bloated sensation in your belly and all thoughts of exquisite delight are lost in discomfort. Each person is given only so many bowls of rice for a lifetime. Savor the flavor.

Cherish your relationship with your kane or wahine. Enjoy the actual physical relationship in youth. Build a unity of mind and heart. These are things that will keep the love going when physicality is a memory of the past.

Ho'okupu: DVD

All women on the stage
Young, old, thin, and round.
Hair of black, gray, straight, curly
Covering minds of myriad memories
Thoughts of love and loss,
Small kid time,
The trivial and the esoteric,
Counting in groups of fours: forties, four hundred, four thousand.
Recalling the ancient pahu drums
Syncopated with the cell phone jig
They exposed just the tip of the iceberg
A ground swell of raw emotion
Waiting to be aired.
Hawaiian women all
Of various shapes and forms
From various backgrounds
and one hanau
The proud and the humble,
The bold and the shy
Speaking their words with repressed emotion.
Private thoughts for a public venue
Ho'okupu

Kanaka Thinking - Imperfection and Beauty

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

An imperfect lei, beautified by wearing

Even an imperfect lei looks beautiful when worn around the neck--as beautiful as flowers and greenery on the slope of a hill.

From 'Olelo Noe'au #2765

Hawaiians were able to find beauty in their environment. Flowers, stems, leaves, roots, fruit, seeds, gourds. They took things from nature and looked into the possibilities. Leis or garlands were fashioned in a myriad of styles using various materials. Dried leaves were cleaned, stripped, and woven into beautiful mats. The bark of trees were gathered, soaked, lovingly cleaned, stripped or pounded into fiber cloth or woven into strong cordage.

Amazing people, our kupuna.

'Ohi'a Death?

'Ohi'a die back
White skeletal trunks reach skyward
Forest desolation

Just a natural hiatus
New growth midway toward the sun.

Food is Love

Gather a bunch of people in Hawaii together and the main hub of activity will center around food. Food is love...love in creating the dishes, love in eating the dishes, love in talking about the dishes and the dishes past, love in cleaning up. It is all about love.

Certain occasions call for certain menus. The deluxe menu will include all the difficult to get yummy dishes. If you were to go to a lu'au, you will see kalua pig that was cooked in an underground imu. On the menu would also be lomi salmon, poi, sweet potatoes, chicken long rice, some poke, haupia and maybe if you're lucky kulolo. A deluxe lu'au much like the kind you might see in real Hawaiian communities like Hana you would see dried 'opae(river shrimp), raw a'ama crab, opihi (limpets), wana (sea urchin), ake (raw liver), pipi kaula (jerk meat), dried opelu (dried fish)and squid lu'au (squid cooked with taro leaves and coconut milk). If you don't have kalua pig, you might have one pound laulaus made with a chunk of beef, a chunk of pork, and a piece of salted butterfish, wrapped with a thick layer of lu'au (taro leaves).

Hawaiian food is labor intensive to cook. You need to gather your seafood, seaweed, produce, and proteins. You need to prep your items. Buying taro leaves or lu'au costs about $7 for two pounds. You need to wash the leaves and remove the veins and tips. To make an imu, you must have firewood, the right kind of rocks for baking, banana leaves and stumps, ti leaves, burlap bags and about 8 hours for cooking.

Most of the Hawaiian food are celebration foods that were for special occasions. Most modern Hawaiians have forgotten the everyday foods like lomi opelu with poi, sweet onions, and some seaweed on the side. The traditional diet was full of seaweed, vegetables, and a small amount of protein, all accompanied by poi.

Food is love. We need to revamp our love affair to promote healthy living and yet, feed our families the love without all of the calories, the sodium, and fat.