Cultural Info

‘Olelo No’eau

Below are described 11 “sayings or quotes (‘Olelo No’eau) of the Hawaiian culture and wisdom in their original language (Hawaiian)
Mainly refer to the hula and Hawaiian values ​​that have developed through its history. There are some who were lulled by their kings and queens.

1. Ua mau ke ea o ka ‘aina i ka pono = The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness

2. Kuhi no ka lima, hele no ka maka = Where the hands move, the eyes follow

3. E lawe i ke a’oa Malama ae ‘oi mau ka na’auao = Take your Teachings, apply and increase your Knowledge

4. A’ohe pau ka ‘ike i ka halau ho’okahi = Not all eat from one school Knowledge = Not all knowledge learned in school.

5. I ka ke A’ia wave Waha wave a’ia make i ka ke Waha = Life is in speech, death is in speech = Life is in the mouth, death is in the mouth.

6. I nānāno to ka ‘ike = By Observing one learns = By observing, one learns.

7. I Le’a ka i ka hula hula is ho’opa’a = The pleasing Because of the drummer = The joy of hula is in the ho’opa’a (touch).

8. ‘A’ai ka hula, Waiho ka i ka hale hilahila = When one wants to dance the hula, bashfulness Should Be left at home = When you dance hula, let shame at home.

9.Ua thread ‘ia i ke aloha ke aho = Braided With The cords of love. Held in the bond of affection = Braided with the cords of love

10. Kulia i ka Nu’u = Strive to reach the summit = Strive to achieve as high (Motto of Queen Kapi’olani).

11. ‘Stand firm = Onipa’a = Firmly, with determination, something that is established, that endures. (Motto of Prince Lot and Queen Lili’uokalani).

‘Olelo Hawai’i

Taken from Hawaiian Street Names. – Budnick-Wise

A brochure prepared for the 1976 Bicentennial Commission of Hawai’i by Kalani Meinecke, Hawaiian language instructor at the University of Hawai’i, asserts that:

“Currently hawaiian language is in danger of being distorted beyond recognition that it can lose its beauty and rhythmic and phonetic forever … The major factors contributing to the distortion of the language are poor pronunciation, the misuse and poor spelling of common Hawaiian words, names and expressions used every day in Hawai’i nei. ”

A 1976 pamphlet Prepared for the Bicentennial Comission Hawaii by Kalani Meinecke, at University of Hawai’i Hawaiian language instructor of the, Asserts:

“Today the Hawaiian language is in danger of Being distorted Beyond Recognition, and Its rhythmic and phonetic beauty lost forever … The greatest Factors Contributing to the distortion of the language are the mispronunciation, misuse, and misspelling of the common Hawaiian words, names, and Which everyday expressions in Hawai’i nei occur. ”

Hawaiian Values

Hawaiian ancient book”] The ancient Hawaiians cared much for the following values, which have maintained their unified civilization for over 500 years, sharing, caring respecting others, and most importantly, ALOHA to all things.

OLA. – Means life and health. Without a physical balance, mental and spiritual health, we could not live life to the fullest.

KOA. – Has many meanings and one can be “the value or be brave.” To address any problems and succeed, we must be brave. Whether the problem is physical, mental, spiritual or social. Courageous people do not allow to be defeated by problems, no matter how hard things seem.

‘IMI NA’AUAO. – Means the search for wisdom. Our kupuna (ancestors) respected people of great wisdom, from ho’okele (sailors) who sailed thousands of miles through the Pacific Ocean to the Kahuna la’au (PhD) students of the medicinal uses of hundreds of native plants. Using your wisdom on the daily basis can be what we want and enrich our lives and our families.

‘OHANA. – Means family. Our family is our foundation and in every family the role of each person is necessary from the Keiki (child) to Kupuna (grandparent); are required to take a totality. In Hawaiian culture the family is a source of love and support for each individual. If there is love within our families, we can also embrace others.

LAULIMA. – Means cooperation, which makes things possible, especially when there is more work than a person can do. The key is respect, the dreams and aspirations of each person must be respected and allow them to grow. To achieve anything we must cooperate, work together and respect the unique talent that each one has.

Ho’oponopono. – Means “do good” in this system to solve problems between people, each individual is treated equally and fairly the issues discussed in a non-threatening way by the elders of the family or those involved in the problem. The situation must be resolved before anyone withdraw from the assignment.

PA’AHANA. – It means hard work, which brings a sense of dignity and self confidence. The ancient Hawaiians were saying: “When you got your own way of living, you can take your food with pride.” Quality work, how to build a canoe or even make the cover thin, was admired and valued. If we are working hard enough, we can achieve everything.

Kokua. – Means aid or assistance. Good to know that when we need help we can count on our family and friends. The Hawaiians believe that when your “Kokua” someone, you do it because you worry about them, not because they expect a reward. When you want to help others find that when you need help, they will help you too.

ALOHA ‘AINA. – Means “love the earth.” The basic values ​​of Hawaiian culture remind us that if we take care of earth, she will always take care of us and give us food, water and a clean place to live. The land also gives us a sense of belonging, pride, history and continuity. But our environment is fragile and delicately balanced. If we pollute our land, oceans, air and use our natural resources too fast, we endanger our own lives and future.