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.