Why thank you Kalahou, I am most humbled by your post. I have always had thoughts pour out of me spontaneously. I keep notebooks everywhere, for when the thoughts come, they come fast and furious, if I do not capture them, they are gone.
I think this is why my siblings considered me odd as a child, I think differently.
It was too obvious, even as a child.
Maybe this is why Hawaii struck me as home, when I first came here, so long ago.
I was always fascinated by her beauty, and the beauty of Kanaka Maoli.
The way they think, and speak, is different.
I am far away from my family, but this is my true home.
It's funny, when my Dad was alive he asked me why I was having another child (my 5th). I quipped that a Hawaiian professor had talked of the need to increase the Hawaiian nation. He said wryly, "Yes, but you are also diluting it."
I am not from here, a haole, not born of the islands. I am not insulted by the term haole. I understand the meaning of it. Having Hawaiian children, has made me look more deeply into their roots. I do not wish to change what I am, or pretend to be something I am not. But I do have great respect and love for this land and her people.
I have lived here longer than my birthplace.
I am truly blessed to be here, and to have experienced the rich cultural heritage of my husbands people. Two of my girls, were educated in Hawaiian Charter Schools. This demands much from ohana, so we delved in to kokua, and I learned much from the natural exchange that occurred.
It is impossible to live where my family lives,
and not feel the influence and mana of the upper realm.
There is so much connection, to everything.
I have seen pueo in the early morning hours here.
they are our family aumakua,
mo'olelo speak of them warning our ohana.
I have felt the presence of ancestors, the old ones.
It is said, that if one is pono here, where we live,
there is nothing to worry about.
If one is not pono
there is pilikia, trouble.
One does not normally speak of such things, but I will write of it here, because the telling of it extols the dangers of this drug, ice, meth, and what it conjures up, even from the unseen places.
My 4th girl would go to her room and sleep a sound sleep, with no disruption, no tales of fears or nightmares.
My oldest reappeared (for she had not been living at home for awhile). As usual, the move in, started out
ok, then degraded to the same old, same old.
My youngest girl started to have a hard time sleeping.
She came to me and told me, there was something watching her, from her closet.
It did not give her a good feeling, Kalahou. This was not aumakua.
We prayed.
That "something" left when my oldest daughter left. Many will say it was my youngests stress, or imagination.
But I
know, Kalahou. I do not live here, surrounded by this culture, and not
know.
I thank you so much for your connecting with me, and sharing your sign.
It is a good feeling, yes you are right Kalahou, we seek protection and guidance from each other. We are all encouraged by each others stories and strength, and can shelter each other with kindness, fellow feeling and understanding in difficult times.
I have often though about the mystery of this communication, the worldwide web.
It is intriguing,
the Hawaiians
look to the stars as great navigators.
Here, our thoughts
travel from our fingertips
on the keyboard
to the far reaches
of the atmosphere
and back again
to this site.
What a amazing thing life is.
Mahalo Kalahou, I will miss you and await your next post
Malama pono
leafy
