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: Doing Good

O ka pono ke hana 'ia a iho mai na lani. Pukui 2437 Continue to do good until the heavens come down to you. Blessings come to those who persist in doing good. There seems to be a big difference between doing good and doing well. Often times, we emphasize doing well which relates to personal performance or achievement of a particular goal. However to do good means to do things that may benefit others. In these days of skepticism, negativism, and selfcenteredism, we have lost the willingness to reach out and touch others with a kind word, look, or deed. Ghosts torment our minds..."Wonder if they are going to rip me off?" "What is the real ulterior motive?" What do They have to gain?" "What can I gain?" The unfortunate thing is that we teach our children to be anxious about life: "Don't do that, the policeman will scold you." "Don't....No....Watch out for strangers....Beware, beware, beware." Granted that some of these warnings are necessary because of the condition of our society however, we are teaching our children to approach others from a negative point of view. We need more people doing good. We need more people exuding good will. And it all begins at home.

Kanaka Thinking - Service

Malia paha he iki 'unu, pa'a ka pohaku nui 'a'ole e ka'a.
Perhaps it is the small stone that can keeep the big rock from rolling down.

He may not seem to be a very important person but he may be the support needed to sustain a superior.

We each have a part to play, whether the role is a big one or a small one. The main thing is to be a positive contributor to the group effort.