Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 40, Number 10, 1 October 2023 — ”Mōhala i ka Wai ka Maka o ka Pua” [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

”Mōhala i ka Wai ka Maka o ka Pua”

LAMAKU HO'OKIPA V ^ A BEACON OF HOSPITALITY "

Unfolded by the water are the faces of the flowers. -'Ōlelo No'eau #2178

By Hi'ilani Shibata NaHHA woulel like to share an article from one of our Lamakū Ho'okipa, our Beacons of Hospitality, who are making a positive impact through the value of mālama and as a contributing member ofthe Native Hawaiian community. CCA \ ohala i ka wai ka maka \ /I o ka pua" conveys the .X. ▼ idea that water is the essential catalyst for life and growth. Just as water nurtures and sustains the blossoming of flowers so, too, does it nurture and sustain our people. This wisdom resonates deeply, as our islands' very existence depends on the abundance and purity of wai (fresh water). It is a reminder of the profound connection between the aina (the land; that whieh feeds) and the people. Water is more than just a physical necessity; it is a spiritual force. Native Hawaiians have a rich tradition of connecting with the spiritual world through water. Sacred sites often revolve around water sources, such as ponds and springs, where rituals and ceremonies are performed to seek blessings and guidance from our ancestors and gods. Water, in this eontext, is seen as a bridge between the earthly and the divine. Furthermore, water is an integral part of Hawaiian storytelling and mythology. Many legends and chants highlight the transformative power of water. Water is depicted as a life-giv-ing force eapahle of shaping the landscape and the destiny of the islands. The islands' names, themselves, often contain references to water, emphasizing its fundamental role in Native Hawaiian identity and cultural heritage. The olelo no'eau "Mōhala i ka wai ka maka o ka pua," not only teaches us about the physical necessity of water but also about the importance of nurturing and preserving the cultural and spiritual roots that bind Native Hawaiians to their land and traditions. It serves as a reminder of the respon-

sibility we all share in protecting and sustaining our environment to ensure our water resources continue to thrive for future generations. E ho'i i ka wai, let us all eall for the return of the wai, the water, the abundance, the blood of the aina to all of our sacred places, including Lahaina (orthography and pronunciation vary) so that our Hawai'i thrives with us as it's caretaker. E ola Hawai'i! ■ Hi'iMni Shibata has spent Mst Mst 25 years in both formal and informal education. She has a BA in 'ōlelo Hawai'i from UH and is a K-5 educator at Ka Waihona o ka Na'auao teaching sustainability through cultural practices and executing this curriculum in 'ōlelo Hawai'i. Hi'iMni is graduate of NaHHA's OM Hawai'i program, a ho'oponopono practitioner, and the voice behind Ka Mahina Project whieh shares daily mana'o through intentional reflection guided by the cicles of the moon. A sought after keynote speaker, cultural educator and active Native Hawaiian community member, Hi'iMni continues to raise her chiMren in the Mnguage, vaMes and traditions ofher Native Hawaiian heritage.

For Howoiions, woter is o life-giving force eopohle of shoping the londscope ond the destiny of the islonds. - Courtesy Photo