Kanaka Wisdom: Give to Receive

If we look at Hawaiian proverbs as lessons to learn, then we can gain a lot of wisdom regarding how to behave and interact with others in life. For example, in the proverb, "'Ike aku, 'ike mai. Kokua aku, kokua mai," the advice is "Recognize and be recognized. Help others and be helped." The recurring sequence is when you do things to others, the same will be returned to you. The process of importance is the direction of the giving...that is to give to others first. The willingness to give or to share is sometimes seen as a weakness and in these days of own-selfishness, the gesture is not returned.

However, the traditional wisdom is to share, to give to others and then the same will be returned. Our kupuna were really wise and we see some of these practices continue among fishermen and farmers. Share your riches and the goodness will be returned in kind. We need to practice this more deliberately and consistently.

Kanaka Thinking - Truth

He 'onipa'a ka 'oia'i'o.

Truth is not changeable. Pukui 863

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