Do you want to know how to stay calm in any situation? Have you ever had a bad day, where you feel down, but then you see someone you truly admire, and it turns that bad day right around? What is it about some people that changes the mood, the tone, and emotions of a circumstance? And how do some people have a “superpower” to help you regain focus on the things that matter most?
In Hawaii, there’s a word and a value that can help us be better as people, friends, and family members. It is one way we can show aloha to others.
‘Olu’olu.
‘Olu’olu Weather
What I love about the Hawaiian language is that one word is used for multiple purposes. The term ‘olu’olu is used to describe weather that is pleasant, refreshing, and mild. ‘Olu’olu is also used to describe someone who is friendly, happy, and gracious.
If you can imagine an ‘olu’olu kind of a day, what does that look like? We can learn so much from observing nature. I imagine a beautiful day as warm weather—not too hot, but not cold—with a gentle breeze. Hawaii has ‘olu’olu weather quite often.
Those who live in a spirit of ‘olu’olu are like nice weather: they’re not overbearing or too much. They know how to put out even the most heated arguments with tact and poise. They bring a refreshingly optimistic and hopeful attitude to any situation. Friendliness is a key trait. And they can make even the shyest person feel loved and welcome.
Can we each be a little more ‘olu’olu? In this article we’ll discuss how to be a more friendly and pleasant person. Because when we choose friendliness and kindness, we share aloha with the world.
The Woman Who Loved Everyone
I want to share about a recent experience that illustrates ‘olu’olu for me. She was the kind of person who taught me how to stay calm in any situation. My husband, baby, and I were on a 2-week trip in Nauvoo, Illinois for my husband’s work. During the winter months, Nauvoo is a ghost town, but there are old timers who live there.
I wish I could say I liked Nauvoo. It’s an interesting place with a lot of history. The view of the Mississippi river is absolutely gorgeous. The temple on the hill is quite beautiful.
But I didn’t like the place because of the people. When we attended the local church, the locals were older folks who either belittled us or acted as though they were entitled because of their age. In Hawaii, it’s important to respect your kupuna, but when you’re put down or bossed around because of your own young age, it’s really annoying. I thought it would get better but it didn’t… except for a few people.
The hosts of the inn we stayed at were truly some of the kindest, most generous people I’ve ever met. The wife’s name was Kristie and she was always so positive, generous, and friendly to everyone. She and her husband even invited us and the rest of the crew to their home to watch the Superbowl, where they fed us lots of food and showed us around. They didn’t even know us! As I watched this woman, I thought about the word ‘olu’olu.
It was absolutely refreshing to be around her. Her optimism, charisma, and pleasant nature were like a ray of sunshine in that old town. It dispelled the unpleasant taste that I got from the older folks who looked down at us. She was kind to everyone.
What I learned from her example
She didn’t judge.
She didn’t assume things.
This woman loved everyone and sought to be of service, instead of thinking about herself or her own comfort.
I am so grateful for her example and hope I can be more like her. Ever since the trip I’ve tried to be more optimistic and friendly with people, like those at check out lines. Even those at the airports, restaurants, and more that we’ve recently been at, I’ve tried to make more of an effort. Kristie’s refreshing kindness has a positive domino effect.
Is there someone in your life who is ‘olu’olu? What, about them, inspires you? How do they approach problems, situations, and relationships?
Do Good to Them That Hate You
One thing I learned from Kristie is that kindness helps everyone win. There were a few people at this event who were picky about the inn and food, but Kristie and her husband were always so professional, helpful, and—above all—kind.
It’s easy to want to defend ourselves when people blame us, get angry at us, or even hate us, but ‘olu’olu is about keeping calm, cool, and collected. It’s taking a higher road and turning the other cheek. ‘Olu’olu helps us do good to even those who hate us.
In Matthew 5:44, Jesus Christ invites us to “do good to them that hate you,” which seems backwards in our day. In our day, it’s a lot easier to backbite, gossip, and rant about things both in private and public, without regards to how the words or actions may hurt someone else.
But with ‘olu’olu, we refrain from participating in activities or things that degrade, harm, bully, or belittle others. Instead, we have compassion on others and turn the cheek to even those who hate us. This doesn’t mean we have to be best friends with those who are toxic, but we can still show kindness and courtesy.
Always Have Compassion
‘Olu’olu is much like manawale’a in that we should always give people the benefit of the doubt. We should always assume the best, because people really are good.
And beyond that, we should extend compassion.
When choosing a word for the year, my husband and I came up with “passion.” We wanted to have passion and drive for the work we’re doing. But as we’ve studied the word, we’ve found even more meaning.
“Compassion” means “with passion.” ‘Olu’olu invites us to always have compassion, which means to do things with passion. Two parables from the Bible can illustrate what compassion really looks like:
The Good Samaritan
Luke 10 tells the story of the Good Samaritan. This is a well known story where a man was traveling and was beaten and left for dead by thieves. A priest and other high ranking religious officials passed by the man. But the Samaritan, a man who was despised and discriminated against at the time, stopped to help.
Not only did the Samaritan tend to the man and his injuries, but he brought the man to an inn and paid enough for the man to stay there until he was well. Then he continued on his way, and the man who was injured probably never met the good Samaritan.
There are many people in our day and age who need help, who need compassion. Sometimes we might judge others and think, “Well, they brought this fate on his or her self.”
Maybe someone did make a choice that had negative consequences, but it’s not our place to judge. It’s our job to extend grace and compassion.
How often have we made a mistake and hoped that people would forgive us? That people wouldn’t judge but, instead, just love?
While it’s easy to think that others are the man who fell by the wayside, that man is all of us at some point or another.
If we want to be ‘olu’olu, we should seek to help and love, instead of ignore and judge.
The Prodigal Son
Luke 15 shares another well known parable of a father who had two sons. One asked for his inheritance then went and spent it on worldly pleasures. When that son was at his lowest point, he returned to his father’s house. The scriptures say that the father ran to his son, weeping and rejoicing that he had returned.
The compassion that the father showed exemplifies how we should receive others. We don’t have to cry and make a loud fanfare when others come to us for help or to change their ways, but we should be grateful and humbled to serve.
‘Olu’olu Suffers Long
1 Cor 13:4 talks about charity, and one attribute of charity is that it suffers long. This doesn’t mean that we should stay in abusive relationships or prolong pain caused by either ourselves or others. It means to have patience.
Ho’omanawanui, or ahonui, are the Hawaiian values about patience. Ho’omanawanui is to wait or get through a long time, or a long season. Patience is enduring well, whether for a few minutes or a few years.
‘Olu’olu encourages us to be patient, and to have more ho’omanawanui and ahonui. Instead of getting irritated or impatient with others or situations, we can choose to stay calm, extend grace, and have a cheerful attitude and countenance. Doesn’t that sound more refreshing than getting worked up?
When I think of ‘olu’olu, I think of the book called “You are Special,” where little dolls put stars or black dots on each other to reward or disdain each other. At some point in the book, the main character meets a doll who has no stars or black dots.
The reason is that nothing the others said or tried to do to her stuck, because she knew who she was, and that was enough.
We are like sponges, soaking in the judgments, praises, criticism, and comments from others. For many of us, hurtful words are so detrimental. But if we know who we are—who we truly are—what difference could it make for us? It could make a huge difference.
We wouldn’t let others negatively affect us, and we would treat others with kindness because we know who they really are too. As children of God, brothers and sisters, we can adopt and attitude of ‘olu’olu and be the kind of person that helps others see who they really are. We can help others focus on what matters most, and gain clarity and optimism.
Like the other Hawaiian values discussed on this blog, ‘olu’olu is an attitude. It’s choosing to see things with a bigger perspective and knowing that what we say, do, and how we act really makes a difference.
In Conclusion
I’m so grateful for the example of Kristie. She truly showed me the kind of person I want to be: pleasant, friendly, content. There is so much in this world to complain about, to view or be negative about, but with ‘olu’olu we can change that.
We can show a light to others, either about themselves or about the situation. We can help everyone feel welcomed and loved. Let’s be as refreshing as the perfect kind of weather.
I hope this article inspired you to be a little more ‘olu’olu in your life and interactions. As you take steps to have more compassion and be a little kinder, you will continue to share aloha with the world. Mahalo!
With aloha,
Leialoha
What are your thoughts?
Did you like this article? Is there someone in your life who is ‘olu’olu? What set them apart from others? Let us know in the comments, I always love hearing from you! Mahalo!
Save this for later!
Enjoyed this article? Pin this to return to it later!
Do you want to learn how to truly be generous? Manawale’a.
If you’ve been to Hawaii, did you feel a sense of generosity? Did it feel like there was an abundance… an abundance of love, kindness, mercy, and more?
Kindness and love, aloha, are the core of the Hawaiian culture. And generosity stems from aloha. In Hawaiian culture, it’s common to feed others who come to the house, to offer resources, or to even let someone merge in on a busy highway. This is generosity, showing a willingness to give more than is necessary or asked. Generosity is especially an important value in the Hawaiian culture.
Manawale’a is the Hawaiian word for “generosity,” and it is one way that we can show our aloha, love for others. Those who live in a spirit of manawale’a are generous, benevolent, and they give freely of their time, and resources. And beyond that, they give freely of love, forgiveness, and kindness in a world that is increasingly polarizing, critical, and unkind.
Manawale’a is literally a time of joy
When we break down the word, it looks like this:
Manawa – time, season, appointment
Le’a – joy
Quite literally, manawale’a means “time or season of joy.” How is generosity connected with a time of joy?
When we are generous, it is a joyful time. Have you ever served someone, only to find that you probably needed to serve more than they needed the service? Service fills our souls. Especially when we give with a willing heart, we fill the need that each of us has to love and be loved.
So how can we have seasons of joy, especially in times that we are struggling? Whether we’re struggling financially, physically, emotionally, or mentally, how can we create seasons or times of joy for ourselves and others? How can we be generous when we don’t “have enough?”
In this article we will explore manawale’a and how to be more generous, which means going against the grain of the natural man that is inclined to selfishness and pride.
Manawale’a is Charity
Charity is the pure love of Christ. It is aloha, loving without any conditions. When we choose generosity, we choose charity. The other way I want us to consider manawale’a is by donating to a charity. There are so many wonderful nonprofit organizations out there that are actually doing great work. Do we take the time to give? It’s easy to think that others are out there giving, so we don’t have to contribute.
But contrary to what people think, you can make a difference. Your generosity can change someone’s life for the better. Even if you never find out what exact difference you’re making, your generosity can bless someone who doesn’t have what you have.
A Recent Example
As an example, recently my husband and I have been wanting to do something more to help the O.U.R. (Operation Underground Railroad). They are an organization that finds and frees children from trafficking. When we first found out about this, we knew this was something we had to do. Child slavery—especially child sex slavery—is something we just cannot ignore.
But how could we do something, beyond giving a monthly donation or spreading the word, like how I’m doing in this article? Could we, possibly, leverage our skills to do more?
With that said, my husband and I are going to put together a fundraising obstacle course. We are in the process of finding sponsors to contribute funds for each of the obstacles, which my husband will build. We’ll leverage my skills in marketing, writing, and graphic design to get the word out. And then we’ll leverage our combined skills with our YouTube (Kanani Life) to spread the message about O.U.R.’s amazing work.
What if?
To say we are a little daunted by the work ahead is an understatement. There are so many questions and “what if’s” in our minds: What if people don’t want to help? What if nobody shows up? What if???
But then we think about who we are helping and why we want to do this. We feel so much charity and love for these children we’ve never met, but who are enduring agonizing, depraving, and the lowest of evils. And we are doing it for them. This is manawale’a.
When we commit to manawale’a, we expand our horizons and come up with creative ways to be generous. We aren’t content with saying, “Well I don’t have the means to donate” or “What difference would I make?” Instead, we ask, “What can I do? How can I help?”
If we truly want to become more generous, we have to be generous with ourselves. We have to adopt an abundance mindset so that the work we do will help and have an impact on others.
Then we have to believe in our vision, and know that generosity inspires everyone, and we’ll all rise and lift each other to truly help those in need.
Manawale’a doesn’t seek to be known
Generosity is best when it’s done from the heart. It’s easy to do things to get credit or accolades. In some church and family cultures, generosity might even be an “all show” thing. A person might give because they’re being watched by others.
Everyone wants credit, but true generosity is usually unknown to others… except God.
In the scriptures, we’re told to “do not alms before men” but to do good in secret, so that God the Father, who sees in secret, can reward us openly (Matthew 6:1). Have you ever felt good about doing service for someone, but nobody else knew about it?
Generosity doesn’t have bells and whistles each time it’s performed. Instead, it’s the quiet and small acts that we do that make all the difference.
I remember growing up on the Big Island of Hawaii and having lots of aunts (who weren’t related by blood) in my church who truly looked out for me. When I served an 18-month church mission in the Philippines, there was one aunt who sent me Big Island Candies around Christmas and Easter time. This meant the world to me. And the thing was… nobody knew she sent those chocolates. But it was her quiet and generous example that has inspired me to do the same… sending notes to people, PMs of encouragement, letters of congratulations, or even dropping food off at someone’s house. With manawale’a, the beneficiaries of our generosity don’t need to know that it’s us…. because when we serve, it’s out of love for God and our fellow men. And that, in itself, is an honor.
Be generous with others
If you’ve read my book, Aloha State of Mind, you know that growing up in Hawaii wasn’t all paradise. My family was really poor and emotionally and mentally, I was not in a good place. However, I decided to ho’omau, keep going, because things always get better. And they did.
But it was through other people and their generosity that gave me glimmers of hope.
As I was preparing for an 18-month church mission, I budgeted very strictly so I could provide for myself during and after the mission. There was a kind lady at my church who picked me up from my house and took me shopping to get supplies for the mission. We got everything I needed, from a suitcase and bedding, to toiletries and clothes. I am eternally grateful for angels on earth, who were so generous with me. Her example, and many other examples, continue to inspire me to this day.
Can you think of a time someone was generous with you, and how that affected your life? Didn’t that bring you joy?
God is generous
Something I truly believe is that when you are generous with others, God is generous with you. We read in the scriptures, time and again, how God wants to “open the windows of heaven” and pour out blessings that we won’t have room enough to receive it if we obey his commandments, if we give of ourselves to God and to others, if we truly love our neighbors as ourselves.
In James 1:4 it says that if we lack wisdom, we can ask God and he gives “liberally.” Doing something liberally means giving, using, or doing something in a generous amount. God gives liberally, even when we give him just a little.
If God gives liberally, can we do that for others? Or even ourselves?
There have been many instances in my life where I saw someone in need and thought twice about helping.
Are they really in need?
However, the times I did stop to help have changed me. It’s easy to think sometimes, “Well they did this to themselves.” Maybe a person did bring a burden on themselves, but it’s not our job to judge. It’s our job to love.
Isn’t that what aloha is? When we give generously to others, God gives generously to us, and this includes forgiveness, hope, and peace.
And this leads to the next point…
Give freely
This doesn’t mean just giving of your resources, but we can all do better at giving freely of time, forgiveness, kindness, and compassion.
Luke 23:34 talks about how Jesus, while on the cross, and being in extreme pain, forgave those who tormented him. He asked God the Father to forgive them too! What a perfect example of forgiveness. We are to forgive our loved ones, our enemies, and even those who sinned against us out of ignorance.
That means forgiving the person who rudely cut you off on the road, or the cashier who gave you an attitude, or the person who commented unkindly on your post. As I once wrote in Aloha State of Mind and the value of ha’aha’a, humility, we are not above anyone else.
So let’s give freely of forgiveness.
Social media and forgiveness
I want to share a personal example of this. Recently I felt as though I was being bullied on social media. As an author and creator who puts their work out into the world, this is expected. However, the unkindness came from other authors, and that was very hurtful for me. My first instinct was to let it go. This was the second time something like this had happened in this particular author group, and I didn’t want to stir the pot.
The second thing was a rush of emotions: anger, sadness, disappointment. I vented to a friend who validated my feelings and encouraged me to say something.
But I didn’t want to say something without first working through my emotions. Sometimes, on social media, it’s hard to read what people are saying, and I wanted to give people the benefit of the doubt.
That was probably one of the biggest lessons I learned in this: give people the benefit of the doubt. Assume that people are good.
It’s easy to think that everyone is out to get you, but people are good in general. I forgave all the people who participated in this post, and then I posted about my feelings and asked for professionalism and kindness going forward. Everyone was really nice, understanding, apologetic, and professional. I’m so grateful for forgiveness, and grateful that it’s something we can give freely.
I italicize “can” because not many people want to do it. It’s easier to stew, backbite, gossip, and wallow in self pity. But Jesus taught us the way: forgive.
Can we give freely of forgiveness so that we can live manawale’a and have more seasons of joy in our lives?
Manawale’a: a season of joy
As we give of ourselves, time, resources, and talents freely to others, we truly can become a source of hope and aloha. We can live in and create more seasons of joy for ourselves and others.
With manawale’a we give our lives purpose. So many people don’t know why they’re here or how they can get satisfaction out of life. It’s easy to go through the daily grind, thinking “I’m just one person, so what can I do?” But every person can make a difference. It just takes one step, one donation, one thought… generosity and benevolence is closer than we think.
As we live more with manawale’a, we can experience seasons of joy throughout our entire lives, and that truly makes all the difference.
I hope this article inspired you to be a little more generous with your thoughts, actions, words, talents, skills and resources.
🌺 With aloha always,
Lei
Did you enjoy this article?
What did you think? Was there something you were inspired or felt pressed to do because of this article? What does living with manawale’a look like for you? Let me know in the comments below. 🙂 Comments and word of mouth help me get my writing and work out to more people. Mahalo!
Iesu pū. This is the Hawaiian phrase meaning, “Jesus be with you.” How can we live so Jesus Christ is with us, and his light and love shines through us? As we invite Jesus Christ into our lives, we can have peace. Everything works out, because of Him. With Iesu pū, we remember Christ in all we do. We bless our lives and others through devoted discipleship.
“Iesu pū” was more commonly used by the islanders of Ni’ihau, according to one kumu, but we can each use it today.
To better understand Iesu pū, it’s important to look back at the history of Hawaii. When did Christian missionaries first come? And why? What inspired missionaries to travel all the way to Hawaii to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ? And how did Christianity influence the people of Hawaii?
The Introduction of Christianity in Hawaii
The ancient Hawaiians practiced a polytheistic religion, where gods and goddesses, as well as a strict kapu system, dictated everyday life. In 1820, however, Protestant missionaries arrived and brought the light of Jesus Christ. Not only did they bring the joy of the Gospel, but they were instrumental in teaching English and creating a written Hawaiian language. Many Hawaiians converted to Christianity, and the phrase “Iesu pū” was born.
Image from Wikipedia
A young man named Henry Opukahaia, the first Hawaiian Christian, is to be thanked for inspiring missionaries to travel to Hawaii.
Henry Opukahaia’s story
I personally find Henry’s story incredibly inspiring. His an example of how Jesus Christ can bring peace to our lives. From Henry’s memoir, I learned that Henry lived during a time of tribal warfare. A kumu (teacher) in the past said that this warfare was due to King Kamehameha the Great (the first) conquering the islands.
When Henry’s village lost the battle against the warring tribe, Henry, his parents, and infant brother, fled to safety. They hid in a cave for several days, and finally left to obtain water. The enemy ambushed them at the river.
Henry, only ten at the time, witnessed his parents murder, their bodies mutilated by the bayonets of the enemy. Henry placed his infant brother—not older than two or three months old—on his back and fled. He was pursued and a spear struck his brother, killing him. Henry was captured and forced to live with the family of the man who killed his parents.
Later, he crossed paths with his uncle, a kahuna (priest), who took Henry in and began raising and teaching him in the ways of a kahuna. Henry notes in his memoir that he had no desire to become a priest. The words of his memoir reflect how traumatized Henry was from his experiences. Henry stated that he had no desire to stay in Hawaii and felt deeply lonely, saying that he pitied himself as an orphan and missed his parents.
God doesn’t forget His children
God certainly had a plan for Henry. In one incidence, he and his aunt—someone he must have felt was his last family, besides his uncle—were captured by another warring tribe. They were locked in a cellar and Henry found a hole to escape. But he, again, witnessed the death of his aunt as the enemy threw her over the edge of a cliff. In a moment of desperation—possibly one of Henry’s lowest moments, he ran to the cliff to join her in death. But he was caught and his life continued.
At the age of sixteen, he swam out and boarded a ship in Hilo bay. He spent the night aboard speaking to the captain, wanting to leave with the ship. Henry said the captain was one of the kindest people he met. His uncle wouldn’t let Henry leave Hawaii, but Henry’s persistence—including swimming out to the ship the following day—won him his freedom. Henry joined the trading ship and eventually ended up in Connecticut.
Henry had no desire to return to Hawaii, even when presented with the offer. But he had a deep hunger to learn, and many noted how bright and intelligent he seemed, despite his inability to speak English yet. A scholar at Yale noticed Henry crying on the steps of one of the university buildings and asked what was wrong. Henry said that nobody would teach him English, and this scholar took Henry under his own wings, teaching him English.
Henry finds the light of Jesus Christ
Through a series of events—including crossing paths with many intelligent and religious people—Henry learned about God, heaven, and hell. He worried about his eternal salvation and would ask many people what to do to be saved. That was when the light of Christ entered Henry’s life.
After he learned about Jesus Christ through a Protestant leader, Henry deeply desired to return to Hawaii and spread the Gospel. He attended a missionary school and was admired by many of his teachers and fellow scholars. Henry translated the book of Genesis into Hawaiian, and wrote his memoir. At the young age of 26, however, Opukahaia caught an illness and passed away, never returning to Hawaii again.
He was buried in Connecticut, and the story could have ended there. But Opukahaia’s influence and love for Christ had impacted his fellow scholars and people around him. His memoir was published in a pamphlet and distributed to thousands of people across the United States. People were deeply moved by Henry’s story and especially his love for the Savior, the love that brought peace to a soul so pained and depressed from a life of hardships and trauma.
While many missionaries hadn’t gone abroad (as Hawaii was not a part of the United States at the time), Opukahaia’s memoir inspired people to travel across the ocean to preach the Gospel.
When missionaries arrived in Hawaii in 1820, the people were ready to hear about Jesus Christ. The centuries old kapu system had ended, due to King Kamehameha II (King Liholiho) and Queen Ka’ahumanu (the wife of King Kamehameha I). The people found themselves void of any religion and were ready to hear the word of God.
What we can learn from Henry Opukahaia
Iesu pu. Jesus Christ changed Henry’s life forever. His journey to finding the Savior shows us that God is mindful of all of us. Opukahaia had such a difficult life, yet found hope and peace, the greatest blessings he could have, before his early death. The love of Christ inspired Henry, who never wanted to return to Hawaii, to want to share the peace and hope he found with other Hawaiians.
We also learn that when we are devoted to Christ, we can inspire others to share their faith. Henry’s memoirs, distributed after his death, were pivotal to push Christian missions across the Pacific Ocean to Hawaii. If not for Opukahaia, it may have been a while before Christian missionaries came to Hawaii.
God knows what He is doing, and we can trust that He is mindful of us too. He provides a way for us to find the healing power of Jesus Christ, even when we don’t believe or are aware of it. Opukahaia truly had the love and light of Jesus Christ with him, and his example can inspire us to live “Iesu pu.”
Please feel free to share this as much as you’d like on social media or other forms of communication! 🙂
Jesus Christ is the reason for the season
I’m writing this article in the month of December, a time we celebrate Christmas. The birth of Jesus Christ is the reason for the season. It’s crazy how far our world has come from celebrating our Savior.
Instead of “Christmas,” many opt to saying X-mas. Instead of saying “Merry Christmas,” some people opt to say “Happy Holidays.” It’s really sad that the reason for the joyous season is being erased and silenced. Remember that Lucifer was disguised as an “angel of light.” Let’s not be deceived by the world, telling us to silence the true reason for our happiness and peace.
When we think of “Iesu pu,” it’s about having Jesus Christ with us always, including remembering Him always. And especially during a season that people get caught up in the “holiday rush,” it’s even more important to seek Him in all we do.
The Christmas spirit is also all about believing. It’s a wonderful time to reflect on the year and choose to believe that there’s good in the world like hope, love, compassion, forgiveness, and a chance to start new. All of it is possible because of Jesus Christ. Remember that with Jesus Christ, we can do all things (Philippians 4:13).
Watch “The Christ Child” to “Iesu pu” and get into the true Christmas spirit:
Jesus Christ makes us new
We don’t have to be the same person for the rest of our lives. We can start new.
With Jesus Christ, peace replaces guilt. Happiness replaces sorrow. Forgiveness replaces hurt.
When we live “Iesu pu,” we can become new creatures. There are so many examples–both in scripture and modern day–of people who changed their lives because of Jesus Christ. Even in today’s time we can find strong disciples of Jesus Christ.
Jonathon Isaac is an example of someone who is standing up for Jesus Christ. His faith in the Lord is easy to see, and it’s inspiring. None of us are ever too rich, poor, famous, or anything to share our love and testimony of Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ gives us reason to hope
Image from Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Have you ever hit a low point where you wonder what’s the point of anything? What’s the point of trying–in relationships, creative endeavors, life in general, etc?
Do we really have some purpose here? Does anything matter?
The answer is yes, and it’s because of Jesus Christ. Because of Him we have reason to hope.
It seems like every time we, as humans, hit hard and challenging times we may think it’s a punishment, or that we’re unworthy. We might think that everything is against us. But that’s simply not true.
Because of Jesus Christ, we know that there’s a way to feel peace in any of life’s storms. His atoning sacrifice makes it possible for us to repent and change our path. He also felt everything that we felt, so we can take comfort that even if nobody else understands, he understands completely and perfectly.
Hope also stems from knowing that we’re not alone. Discipleship and living faithfully isn’t easy. But it’s worth it. With Jesus Christ, we know we’re never alone.
Christ even tells to “be of good cheer.” Our Savior has already overcome the world, so let’s have faith in and trust that we can find peace and happiness in Him.
Check out this inspirational video about how Jesus Christ can help us:
Jesus is the light of the world
He ko’u kukui i ka Haku – The Lord is my light.
If you feel like you’re in a dark place, you can always turn to the Savior of the world. He is the light of the world. He is our light.
With “Iesu pu,” we can always have light, hope, and peace, even in our darkest moments.
Learning to believe again
Through this blog, social media, and my books, I’ve been humbled by the people who reach out saying that they’re grateful for the exploration of the Hawaiian culture while incorporating Christian values.
Of course there have also been those who told me that my work is “too religious” and that the Christian viewpoints are “too much.”
But for us Christians, we should never get discouraged. We should keep believing, and keep having faith because Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the light. When His light and goodness fill our lives, it doesn’t matter what other people say to or of us. It can still hurt when people say unkind things to us or try to question our faith. But we can feel confident that Jesus Christ understands and loves us, and that because of Him, anything is possible.
If you’ve lost your belief in Jesus Christ as your Savior, friend, help, and confidante, it’s never too late to turn back to Him. Nobody is ever too far or too lost to be found by Jesus Christ.
In Matthew 11, He tells us how we can come to him and find rest.
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest .
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart : and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light
For those of you who have reached out to me asking how to improve mental health, to find peace, to be happy again… Jesus Christ is the answer. Trust and have faith in Him, and, like Opukahaia and millions of other Christians, you can find the peace and hope you’re searching for.
A personal experience
My life has been blessed by wonderful Christians from various faiths. I’ve grown up in different places around the world, and I’m so grateful for the wonderful, faithful Christians I’ve met throughout life. The example that others have set for me, of praising and worshipping the Lord, have influenced me for good.
I’m also a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The gospel taught to me within the church has blessed my life forever. Jesus Christ truly is our hope. He gives us strength and peace in any life circumstance. My church community has taught and inspired me to live the Gospel faithfully. People of other faiths–my friends and acquaintances at school and in the community–have also played a role in strengthening my character to become more like Jesus Christ.
Recently I’ve been inspired by people who unapologetically share their faith. I make an effort to follow people who I admire on social media, and this usually results in people from different faiths. As the media works to erase Christianity, the acknowledgement of God, and religion, it can be disheartening for us Christians. It can also make it scary to post things on social media, for fear that others will unfollow or dislike it. However, when I see people praising the Lord through their work, I am in awe. We can all be better disciples by sharing our faith and testimony of the goodness of the Lord.
Iesu pu. May the light and love of Jesus Christ be with us and shine through us.
Though Hawaii and Hawaiians today come from many different beliefs and religions, the influence of Christianity on the Hawaiian people should be appreciated. Because of Christian missionaries, the Hawaiian people were able to have their language formally explored and written. With the Hawaiian language becoming more official, and the people turning to more western ways, the Hawaiians were able to set up their own government (a monarchy).
Many communities were built on shared religion and faith, including my own ancestors. On the North Shore of O’ahu live many members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. There’s a temple in Laie, Hawaii too. All of this was possible because of those who took the first step in coming to Hawaii, and the man (Henry Opukahaia) who inspired that.
I hope that by learning more about the history of Christianity in Hawaii, exploring Henry Opukahaia’s story, and reflecting on who Jesus Christ is, we can each devote ourselves to Him once more. Let’s be better disciples and followers of the Savior. “Iesu pu.” May Jesus be with you, and with each of us.
Did you like the exploration of this phrase “Iesu pu”? How has Jesus Christ influenced your life? Let us know in the comments below. We’d love to hear your mana’o. 🙂
“Noho” is the Hawaiian word meaning to “sit, be, act, or live.” It also literally means a chair… so where am I going with this value? I want to explore how the concept of “noho” can help us in our lives. A lot of people don’t know why they’re here, where they’re going, or how to grow and move on from the past. We live in a world where we’re constantly bombarded by distractions, from our phones and social media to work and the mundane of life. It’s easy to get caught up in a mindless routine or to feel that we have a purpose in one thing because it’s serving or benefiting others.
Yet there are too many people breaking down and having quarter life, midlife, or other life crises because they don’t know their purpose. Maybe they did, especially when they were children, but as they grew older, they lost a sense of wonder, creativity, and excitement for life.
Let’s face it. Life is hard. It wasn’t meant to be easy because we’re here to be tested, to prove to God that we’re ready and willing to make the sacrifices necessary to get back to Him. But we have to sacrifice laziness, apathy, discouragement, and other bad habits to become, to be present, and to be mindful. God has given us all the tools we need to succeed, but it’s up to us to take advantage of those tools or not.
Noho is a state of being
Some common ways to use the word noho is to attach another word to it, like “hau’oli.” Hau’oli means “happy” in Hawaiian so “noho hau’oli” means to “live happily.” Noho olu’olu means to live comfortably. Noho malie means to keep quiet or remain still. When I wanted to open an Etsy shop years ago, I actually wanted to call the shop “Noho Pono,” meaning to be in a state or position of goodness and righteousness. However, in a more literal sense, “noho pono” could also mean to sit nicely or correctly haha. “E noho pono” is the sort of thing a mother might say to a child who is sitting sloppily or inappropriately.
For the purpose of this article, I want to explore how noho can be used as a state of being in an attitude, literal place, or mindset. There’s a reason I called my debut novel “Aloha State of Mind.” It’s a mindset, a constant choice we make, instead of something that comes and goes after a trip to Hawaii. “Noho” reminds us to choose what we make of this life and who we want to be. As we dive into the meaning of this word, I encourage you to think about your state of mind.
Are you present, mindful, and in a state of “being” or “becoming” something?
To Be or Not to Be
A family member recently sent a picture of Hamlet holding a skull and it took me back to my high school and college days of analyzing Hamlet’s famous soliloquy. When Hamlet says “to be or not to be” he is at the absolute lowest point in his life. Unfortunately, Hamlet feels so low, he has contemplated suicide and wonders if there’s a purpose to all the things he’s dealt with (his father’s murder, his mother getting remarried, his uncle becoming king, etc). Is life worth it? he asks. If we’re all going to die and return to the dust, as the skull, what is the point of living? Does life have meaning?
The play answers some of these questions, and leaves the rest for us to decide. Is life worth it? The answer is a resounding YES! The answer is “TO BE.” Life is a gift, a time to be present, to live, to feel, and to be. It doesn’t mean that life is going to be easy. Hardships are a part of the plan, and if we can look at challenges in a healthier way, it’ll help us persevere, no matter what.
“Noho” is “to be, to live.” Another Hawaiian word, which is also commonly used for living, is “‘ola.” We use this word a lot to mean “life.” But it can also simply mean “to exist.”
With noho we choose “to be” instead of “to exist.” Instead of existing and letting the world make choices for us, we choose who we want to be. Nobody can force us to do anything, or to feel anything, including sadness, happiness, anger, and so forth.
“You Choose to Be Upset”
When I would get annoyed as a young girl, my dad said, “You choose to be upset.” It was annoying to hear at the time, but I knew he was right. Nobody forced me to get mad or irritated. Nobody could turn a switch on in my body and I had absolutely no choice but to be mad.
We always have a choice. That’s the beauty of this life. Are we going to choose “to be” what we want, and who God wants us to be? Or are we simply going to “exist,” and let life push us here and there?
I read a quote recently that said something along the lines of: The way we came into this world is less important than the way we will leave it.
Isn’t that true? While it’s easy to blame our circumstances on parents, family, socio-economic status, education, and more, it doesn’t really matter how we came into the world or what happens in the world around us. What matters is who we are when we leave. Are we becoming the people we want to be?
Save this image to share on social media!
We are forgetting who we are
“Noho” also reminds us that the purpose of life IS to live. It’s not just to do ONE thing our whole lives, go through the motions, and/or stop growing/progressing. It’s easy to get wrapped up in the routine of our lives.
Fathers can lose touch with a sense of wonder and creativity as they focus solely on working and providing for a family. A mother can feel like she lacks identity as she focuses only on nurturing and raising children. College and high school students feel a sense of worthlessness if they can’t keep up a certain image or grade. Employees and bosses fall into the trap of becoming workaholics because they don’t know what else to do with their time or attention. So how does a person live out their purpose, while living the value of noho, being and becoming?
I spoke recently with a friend of an 18-month old child. She said she was exhausted—she loved her child, but she also didn’t feel purposeful. Her entire life revolved around taking care of that child, which led her to a sort of quarter-life crisis. There’s nothing wrong with motherhood, homemaking, and nurturing children, but we all need balance.
Each of us are still humans, with the need to create, to do something that brings the “spark” in our lives. Whether that’s spending time with other people, doing a creative project, or making time for a hobby that brings joy.
Unfortunately, a lot of people forget what they liked to do because they’ve become so used to having one purpose.
We all need a purpose and a spark
In the Disney movie, Soul, it explores the purpose of life, vs the spark in life. This was not my favorite movie, but I loved the concept of purpose and spark. We need both components in life to be, not just to exist. We have to know that our purpose is to LIVE, first of all. AND we all need that thing (or a few things) that spark joy. That spark could be a hobby, spending time with family, a creative endeavor, a project, a lifelong dream… it could be anything. But we all need both.
With noho, instead of simply existing, we live with purpose and do the things that ignite us. That “spark” touches not only us, but the lives of those around us too. What a blessing it is to live with purpose and use our God-given gifts, talents, and “spark” to light the world!
If you want a more specific article on how to find something that you truly love and enjoy doing, check out this article I wrote on mine and my husband’s shared blog, Kanani Life:
Sometimes, when we have a hard time finding our purpose and spark, it’s because we’ve lost a sense of belonging. Discovering purpose and belonging is the point of my second self help book, You Belong: Conversations on Color, Culture, & Christianity. Read my book here: Amazon or other online stores.
Noho isn’t about just “sitting around”
Stillness is incredibly important. We live in a world inundated with noise and distractions. Our phones constantly buzz with notifications, and we’ve become almost enslaved to them. We need quiet time. Yet despite the way many of us complain about work, quiet quit, or go from one job to the next, we’re meant to work.
Hard work gives us a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment. It proves to us that we can provide for ourselves, which gives us confidence. Work can also provide purpose for some of us (though it shouldn’t be our entire purpose, as we’ve already discussed). So while it’s good to rest, as even God rested on the seventh day of creation, it’s also good to understand that work is part of life.
In the book of Genesis in the Holy Bible, when Adam and Eve were cast out from the garden of Eden, God told them that “by the sweat of they brow shalt thou eat bread all the days of they life.”
By the sweat of thy brows = work
All the days of thy life = work doesn’t end
Life isn’t easy for anyone, and we all have to work to some degree for our health, happiness, and security. It’s easy to think that once we hit retirement, there will be some magical button that makes us feel good or that we can finally rest. But we’re not meant to rest forever. Even God rested for one out of seven days.
A personal experience with noho
From personal experience, my husband and I have talked about how what we’re doing now are some of the things we want to do forever. I love writing, and I’m not planning to stop once I hit a certain age or a certain goal. I love learning and improving my craft, and then sharing my work with others (purpose + spark).
Likewise, my husband doesn’t want to stop learning once he builds a really cool thing or hits x-amount of subscribers on YouTube. His example of going for it in creative builds and projects has inspired others and fills him with a creative zest for life (again, purpose + spark). We should never stop learning, progressing, and growing. It’s what makes life interesting and fun.
At his current job, my husband actually works with a lot of men who have retired but returned to work because sitting around wasn’t working for them. We’re not meant to REST all the time.
Using noho in the Hawaiian language
Noho does mean chair. If you said something like “Aia ka noho i ka lumi kuke,” you’re saying “the chair is in the kitchen.” Noho really is a CHAIR.
But if you say “E noho aloha,” you’re saying to “be or live in a state of aloha” (“Noho aloha” basically means “aloha state of mind” haha). So while noho does literally mean a place to sit and rest, it also means a place of being and thinking.
Let’s not sit and rest forever, but understand that work is a part of life. We’re meant to keep being and becoming, not just to sit stagnant.
In Conclusion
Noho is a wonderful way to pause and look at who we are now, and where we’re going. It also helps us appreciate how far we’ve come. All of our journeys are different and wonderful. But if we can “be” present and mindful of where we are now, it will make all the difference for our lives and those around us.
I hope you can find joy as you contemplate this Hawaiian word and apply it into your life. It’s so important to look at hardships, work, and other facets of life in a healthier way, an aloha way.
E noho aloha!
✨ Sincerely,
Lei
P.S. If you’re looking for a social media place with good vibes, I’d love for you to follow on instagram or Pinterest. I share positive and Hawaii-related content in these spaces! 🌺
What do you think of noho?
In the comments below, I’d love to hear your thoughts on this concept. What does noho mean to you? What difference would it make in your life if you applied the concept of noho?
There are many land animal names in Hawaiian. Do you want to learn how to say “cat” in Hawaiian? Or maybe you want to learn how to say “dog” in Hawaiian? This article covers common land animal names and features some fun facts. I’ve been doing a lot of research for some upcoming books, as well as learning Hawaiian to be able to read and write it fluently. Some of these words have come up and I thought it’d be fun to share them with you!
If you’re wanting to learn some common animal names, this is your list! I hope you enjoy it, as well as some history behind each animal!
Dog
‘Īlio is the Hawaiian word for “dog.” It is pronounced ee-lee-oh. Did Hawaiians have dogs? In my research, I’ve discovered something called a “poi dog.”
The poi dog looks much like the white Target dog (White English Bull Terrier). The dog didn’t have much of a bridge in its nose because the Hawaiians would only feed it poi. Thus the dog’s snout adjusted to eat poi, instead of other things.
I’m not sure when these dogs were introduced, but it was much later in Hawaiian history. It’s hard to find research on poi dogs, and I only learned about them through some books I read, but maybe we’ll discover more about these dogs as we dive deeper into our Hawaiian history! (If you know anything about poi dogs, let us know in the comments. Mahalo!)
Cat – Pōpoki
Here’s one more of the most common land animal names in Hawaiian. The word for cat in Hawaiian is “popoki.” It is pronounced poh-poh-kee. There aren’t many “stray” animals in Hawaii besides cats. When I lived with my grandma in Laie on the North Shore of O’ahu, I remember many nights of hearing the cats screaming and clawing at each other. I hated these “cat fights” and wished to take care of the cats.
One time, there was a little gray kitten that was a stray. My cousins and I fed it, which kept it coming back to us. My uncle didn’t like that, so one night he threw the kitten over the fence and we never saw it again. 🙁
There are some cat shelters in Hawaii to help take care of the “stray cat” problem, as well as find homes for cats. There’s one on Lanai where you can visit the cat sanctuary and play with them!
The Hawaiian word for “chicken” is moa, pronounced moh-ah. If you’ve ever lived in the more rural parts of the islands, you’ll hear roosters doodling their heads off every morning.
The stray chickens and roosters used to be a problem in various parts of the islands, including the North Shore of O’ahu. However, the residents got together to take care of them. Whenever I’ve gone back to the North Shore, I hardly ever hear those roosters anymore.
When you visited Hawaii, did you hear the roosters in the morning?
Horse
This is one of my favorite land animal names in Hawaiian. The Hawaiian word for “horse” is lio, pronounced lee-oh. Horses have a wonderful history in Hawaii. Being from the Big Island, I was delighted to learn about the Paniolo culture found in Waimea, Hawaii. Paniolo is the Hawaiian cowboy, and the culture is still prominent in Waimea today!
Another neat story about the history of horses in Hawaii is that when Queen Liliuokalani rallied the support of her people, she rode on a horse to do so. After arriving on the various islands, she rode her horse to places and spoke to the people. I believe her connecting one-on-one with her people is a reason she was so loved. She fought against the annexation and tried to keep her people aware.
Many of Hawaii’s monarchy learned to ride horses and in the queen’s book, she talked about parades and festivals, where she and others rode their horses through the streets and waved to the citizens of Hawaii. You can get a glimpse of what this must have looked like by attending the Merrie Monarch parade! It features beautifully dressed men and women on horses that represent the islands and monarchs.
The Hawaiian word for “cow” is pipi, pronounced pee-pee. Technically, the word for “cow” is pipi wahine, which is a female cattle. However, using just the word “pipi” is common and acceptable.
Cows have long had a history in Hawaii. When they were introduced, they were allowed to roam freely, which caused problems for the natural habitations and environments. This is a huge reason that the Hawaiians hired ranchers from the mainland to come down and teach them how to herd and take care of the cows. And from that connection, the paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) culture was born.
There are cows all over Hawaii now, but are maintained by ranchers. Just be careful if you’re going on hikes where there are loose cows around. My husband and I went on a hike in Maui where the cows were not being watched by a rancher and one of the cows butted us with its head! It was quite scary so just be careful!
What other animals do you want to learn about?
I have enjoyed writing about these animals but would love to know if there are Hawaiian words you’d like to learn. The Hawaiian language is changing and evolving as more people learn it. It’s always fun to learn new words that were recently created (for everyday objects like a phone, computer, etc) but also old words that are still used. Let me know in the comments if there’s something you’d love to learn about the Hawaiian language. I love hearing from you. Mahalo!
If you liked this article, you might enjoy these ones too!
I wrote mostly about domestic animals in this article, but I also love supporting and being aware of wildlife.
I am a proud ambassador for Fahlo, which is a non-profit organization that sells bracelets to support wildlife conservation efforts for honu (turtles), mano (sharks), and more. Use my code LEIALOHA20 to get 20% off your next Fahlo purchase!
E komo mai! 🌺 I am the author of Aloha State of Mind, a self help book that teaches you how to create paradise wherever you are. My blog, Naturally Aloha, focuses on all things Hawaii: culture, values, food, lifestyle, and more. I hope my writing inspires you to carry aloha with you everywhere! Learn more…
Get my debut novel, “Aloha State of Mind”
Create paradise wherever you are with my debut novel, available for purchase on Amazon and more!
Check out my Hawaiian Epic Fantasy, “Rise of the Manō”
