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!!