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.