Momona Makua

 My slippers are tucked beneath the table at my favorite library's computer. I am enjoying the air conditioned air on one of the last hot days of the season. It will be in the low 80's before the sun is pau with his daily work.

Years ago, in 1995, to be specific, I met an Aunty who would influence my life from that point forward. She became my kumu my teacher in a practice she called "Makua o'o" maturing adult, or elder-in-training. I was newly returned to the islands of my birth after twenty-five years in Mukilteo Washington. There was so much I had no idea I didn't know, though I knew I was home to begin again.

The practice of becoming kupuna or elder began when I followed Aunty Betty Kawohiokalani Ellis Jenkins to events and workshops she was facilitating. A retired elementary school teacher, "Aunty Betty" continued to teach after her years as a teacher of small children ended. 

Our initial meeting happened when we were doing training sessions with two different Ka'anapali Beach hotels, on the island of Maui. My cousin, also named Mokihana, sent me a message, "Maybe you should go meet this aunty. She's doing similiar work." The work was the sharing of the poi bowl, a contemporary version of a very traditional Hawaiian custom of setting aside any conflict or disagreements when the family came to the table to eat. Poi. The. Food. 

In more ways than one, the sharing and eating of poi is the sharing of values, connection, and genealogy. My journey of becoming an elder begun with Aunty Betty continues today.

In a few minutes I will be meeting with a friend and Executive Director of a non-profit organization committed to serving the needs of the BIPOC community of South Whidbey Island, where I live. My hope is to share that practice of becoming an elder. I am creating a ritual of new beginnings, and continuation ... a genealogy. 

This new practice will have a new name: a generous and plump name. MOMONA MAKUA. 

There is more to come, and conversations which will spread Aunty Betty's lineage with that of the BIPOC Community of Pamoja Place. 

Raspberry jam

 I’m sitting it out. Under the shade of Alder Leaf hula, I’m listening to a pot of water set to boil. 10 minutes of boil for 4 half pint jars of those raspberries we picked in July, mashed and stirred with low sugar pectin Pomona’s Universal Pectin and two cups of cane sugar.

I promised my grandson Carter and my son Christopher Kawika there’d be a batch of raspberry jam in their goodie box. 

Soon. Those goodies will board a plane snd cross from our island to theirs.

It’s been a long time between batches of homemade jams. Fingers crossed the kitchen goddess’s give their blessings!!❤️✔️💜

Lokahi

 My practice of ai aloha (eating aloha one day at a time) continues. Today is my Lokahi Day. I had a rough night with little sleep but a lot of art. My sketch book filleth!

“Saranam, Saranam…”

“Grief Gremlins”

“By any other name”

This quote parks on a blank page 

“It’s not easy to admit defeat and give in to that powerful foe, alcoholism, Yet that is absolutely necessary if we are to have sane, happy lives again.”

- Courage  to Change 9-2

Lokahi

Women’s Work

 This morning, the last of August and an ‘ole moon two witches chanted and walked the land. Prayers for guidance preceded. A bowl of pi kai ‘olena (salt water with turmeric) was readied. 

The water was yellow —the color of Haumea, the goddess of this planet, this earth. The source of potentialities.

The second ‘oli was chanted to gather the gods, and wrap the haumia the defilement to the ‘aina into a bundle and throw it away!

Then the two woman split the land one going east the other west sprinkling the yellow salt water at the edges and corners of the land to whom they are responsible.

Amama us noa.The work is done  the prayer is lifted.

AHONUI ... the long cord for fishing

 aho.nui

-from wehewehe.org

nvs. Patience; patient, enduring, long suffering; to tolerate. Lit., great breath. 

It's another hot August day on our island home. Fortunately for us, our simple life lived in the vardo and Quonset also include being able to keep driving Scout, our 2004 Subaru. She, "Scout" has been car and home for us over the years since we bought her in Hilo. In nearly everyone of my pule, my daily prayers, I am grateful for this car. Today I give thanks for her and the repairs we are able to pay for to keep us safe enough and cool: air conditioned air aid my long comprised lungs from the heat and smoke of environmental overload (Haumea's overload!)

Not far from our ke kuapa (the small space where we park on 'aina that covers a freshwater pond) I can drive to the library to compose story, print copies of my latest drawings and consider the color pencil or crayon I'd like to complete the mo'olelo wanting to express herself through me.

We Kanaka come from a literary history of long-standing. Once we learned how, we went all out to write the stories of our past, our present and our future. 

This Safety Pin Cafe post is a "fish hook" on the long cord or aho which also refers to the fishing line used to troll for fish. In the metaphoric story the hook could catch anything, or catch nothing. Over the long term, as fisherfolk must be patient if nothing else. That's where the second part of the word comes into play: "nui" means long term, big, over time. 

There is a new fish being drawn up from my na'au and my imagination. Stimulated by conversations with my mo'opuna who live in Kipahulu on Maui the drawing is inspiring a very delightful saga! Look for more details in the coming days and weeks. 

Here's a teaser: SUPER 'OHANA is the working title of the project and there will be lots of pictures to draw and string like a lei my grandmother and her cronies would be so proud to call ... family!!

A little ALOHA in your day

 The journey of healing from cultural trauma is unique for us all. Speaking for myself the path experienced consciously began in 1970 when I left home for the first time, but really kicked when I returned to that home in 1997.

This post is about me finding the ways back to truly understanding that Aloha is the true intelligence with which we kanaka meet life.

To remind myself, I’ve written Aloha’s meaning —spelled it out in ‘oleo, mahalo AuntyPilahi Paki—using sidewalk chalk, on my walk between the Vardo and Quonset.

Akahai

Lokahi 

Olu’olu

Ha’aha’a

Ahonui

I look at the words snd walk my talk 🤙💜

Check out the meanings of each word online. wehewehe.org will be one place to look.

Yea. A little aloha in our day 🌲🌈🌺

Ho’omanawanui

 August on the Salish Sea where we live is hot! Our gardens are gigantic and the Mullein spears have topped off at 12 feet bending under her weight.

It is her awe inspiring beauty that is drawing a few adventurous souls to us; we are having kukakuka ( meaningful chats!)

The slow yet deeply positive intentions for The Safety Pin Cafe and the art I draw as Acoustic Tutu need to be clarified: I’m asking with Aunty Edith Kanakaole’s oli E Ho Mai. Thanks to Manu Meyer’s YouTube videos I learn the depth of meaning as I oli, and people come with their curiosity. Attraction rather than promotion.

Patience over time. Ho’omanawanui. I’m practicing.