Hollywood has given sharks a bad rep over the years, and itās too bad because sharks play a huge role in the ocean system. Sharks are apex predators, meaning that theyāre at the top of the food chain. Their role ensures that the species below them donāt overpopulate and ultimately keep the life of the ocean balanced. Unfortunately, sharks are being harvested and hunted at unsustainable ratesāweāre talking millions of sharks killed a year. I hope that this article, with some punny lines and cultural insights from a Hawaiian perspective, can help all of us appreciate sharks a little more and do our part to protect them. š¦
The Shark in Hawaiian Culture
In Hawaii, the manÅ, shark, was hunted and used for jewelry, weapons, and other tools. Shark skin was used to make drums for hula dancing. Hawaiians exercised caution, especially when a specific area was known to have sharks. An old folktale said that if one placed a ti leaf in the water and it floated, it was safe to swim. If the ti leaf sank, it wasnāt safe.
The most commonly known representation of the manÅ in the Hawaiian culture includes the concept of the āaumakua. An āaumakua is deceased ancestor who takes the shape of a specific animal. It could be a pueo (owl), āio (hawk), moāo (gecko), naiāi (dolphin), manÅ, or any other kind of animal. The āaumakua wasnāt meant to be worshipped but rather honored and revered. Families would leave food for their āaumakua if the animal frequented their area. Sometimes āaumakua came to warn, protect, or guide their descendants to take the correct path. The manÅ is an āaumakua animal, which is why the Hawaiians were careful of which animals they hunted. It would be completely disrespectful to kill an āaumakua.
My Experience with Sharks
With that said, we can learn so much from the behavior and biology of sharks. Theyāre quite beautiful and magnificent creatures. One of the most common questions I get asked about Hawaii is, āAre there sharks in Hawaii?ā The answer is, yes, of course! There are sharks all throughout the ocean. But when we respect boundaries and take precautions, we can coexist. Iāve only seen sharks twice in my life, and I lived in Hawaii for a long time. And those times I saw the sharks were times I shouldnāt have been in the water anyways. However, I can say theyāre quite amazing creatures. Since leaving Hawaii, Iāve felt a desire to do my part in protecting sharks. Read to the end to know how you can help too! Without further adieu, here are 5 life lessons from a shark!
Five Life Lessons from a Shark
Know Your Place
Sharks know their place as apex predators, and theyāre not afraid to own that. Do we know our place? In our family, community, Country, and even the world? One value that can help us know our place, our purpose, and mission in life is kuleana, responsibility. Each of us a responsibility and a unique contribution to make in this world. Every life is precious and worthy, including yours!
Keep Swimming
Sharks continue to swim, no matter what. When life throws curveballs and challenges our way, how can we respond with grace and aloha? Instead of getting upset and angry about the scars, can we keep swimming? How much energy would we save if we chose to forgive, let go, and move forward?
Have a Sense of Curiosity
Sharks have a natural curiosity. They like to see what others are up to, and get a closer look. Are there things that we can be a little more curious about in life? When I think of curiosity, I think of the value of pa’a ka waha, which means to “close the mouth.” We spend too much time talking about ourselves. Why don’t we hand others the mic and see what they have to say? Be curious about their lives, and you’ll be surprised by the insights and lessons you learn.
Stay Sharp
Shark teeth are so fascinatingā¦ and sharp! Are we keeping our skills sharp, or are we choosing to let life slip through our fingers? A graphologist told me that Iām not a naturally organized person, but Iāve developed skills to become organized. This reminded me that too often we give up on certain skills because āit just doesnāt come naturallyā or āitās too hard.ā But the truth is: anyone can develop a skill if they practice and create a system that works to develop that skill.
So whether you want to be more organized, patient, motivated, or whatever else, remember that itās totally possible. Sharpen that skill, and it will eventually become a part of who you are and what you naturally do.
Do Fin-tastic Things
Lifeās too short to say, āI just canāt do thatā or āIām not ___ enoughā or āI canāt afford it.ā With the value of āike loa (seeing much), we can see endless possibilities ahead. We can hoāomau by creating solutions to our problems and do all the fin-tastic things we ever dreamed of.
Bonus: Be Jaw-some! š¦
How to Support Conservation Efforts for Sharks
Do you love sharks as much as I do? Want to support conservation efforts in a way thatās easy and fun? Fahlo is a wildlife conservation company that sells affordable, cute bracelets. Each bracelet comes with a shark that you can track. Fahlo sends the proceeds to conservation efforts that support and protect sharks, turtles, polar bears, and elephants. I love that I can wear a bracelet reminding me toĀ mÄlamaĀ the earth and its animals.
If you want to get your own bracelet, or, even better, gift a bracelet to a shark loving friend,Ā check out Fahlo.Ā Use my code LEIALOHA20 to get 20% off your order!
Any thoughts?
Did I forget any life lessons from a shark? Write your shark puns, lessons, and ideas in the comments! Mahalo!
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