Mana is the Hawaiian word for “energy and life source.” Everything has mana in it. In Western culture, mana compares with “vibe” or “spirit.” We gain mana by following and choosing light. We lose mana by allowing any form of darkness into our lives.
To help us understand thisa little deeper, we can see how people and places have powerfully positive or negative energy. For example, King Kamehameha the Great is someone with strong mana because he led armies to conquer and unify all the Hawaiian islands. His influence and power invoked strong mana, the kind of dark energy that stirs crippling fear amongst those around him. His character is recognized to this day–both for good and bad.
Some people have strong mana in a positive way. We all know those people who light up the room when they walk in. People are naturally attracted to them because of the light in their eyes, the purity in their countenance, and the aloha we feel from their hearts connecting with our own. That is positive mana.
More examples
Specific locations can also carry strong energy, such as the Kilauea volcanoor the top of Mauna Kea on the Big Island. Old legends tell of a white god visiting the people on Mauna Kea, and the spiritual experiences the people had, making it a sacred place. Particular forests and waterfalls in Hawaii carry special mana because of the nature and memories within them.
Some places have dark mana, like the Pali on O’ahu, due to the battle of Nu’uanu that took place on its cliff edge. When King Kamehameha the Great pursued the unification of the islands, he met great opposition on O’ahu. A bloody battle took place at the Pali, where almost a thousand men were pushed to the edge of the cliff, falling to their deaths.
I believe we can choose our mana by purposefully improving and becoming our best selves, and always choosing light and peace. We would do well to often check in on our mana, the spirit housed in our bodies, the invisible life within. What energy are we giving off? Do we have good or bad mana?
Avoid Bad Mana
When we choose maluhia (peace), we choose to avoid bad mana. It’s probably superstitious or old fashioned to believe in mana. Every time I bring up mana, people look at me like I’m crazy. And the reason is that mana isn’t seen, it’s felt.
With the value of ho’okipa,we learned that our homes contain the kind of mana that we allow into it. If we watch dark shows, movies, and entertainment, we open a door to let that energy into our homes. If we use bad language, waste time (especially since time is a gift), and constantly stress, that energy fills our homes.
Likewise, our bodies and spirits contain the kind of mana we allow into it. If we choose dark entertainment, make poor choices, and allow high emotions to rule our lives, our mana turns bad. But if we control ourselves, take responsibility, and entertain wholesome activities, our mana burns brightly, attracting and lifting all those around us.
We should actively seek good energy and avoid bad mana. For example, we can ask ourselves questions like:
What situations or people make me feel bad about myself?
After interacting with my friends, do I feel uplifted or bogged down?
How often do I leave a movie or location because of the bad energy surrounding it?
Are my daily activities adding darkness or light to my life?
I hope we frequently turn away from the things that bring darkness into our lives. As we learned with ponoand kupa’a, even if we stand alone in our decisions, it’s better to have light than darkness.
Everything we do determines who we are
I’m a firm believer that everything we’ve ever heard, watched, felt, or done has a huge impact on who we are today. We can’t always avoid the evils of the world, but we can choose how we react to them, as we learned with kuleana.
For example, if we hear something inappropriate or degrading, how do we react? Do we let our thoughts linger on it, allowing it to creep into who we are?
Are we mindful of the things being done or said around us, and how they impact us?
Do we remember maluhia, peace, and who we really want to be?
If we want to have good vibes, we need to let the good things into our life. Serving, praying, learning, and gaining knowledge are all ways to invite good vibes. Spending time with uplifting people, having meaningful conversations, and choosing calm instead of anger–all of these things bring aloha. Being a light, loving others without conditions, and withholding judgment also invite the spirit of maluhia into our lives.
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If we want to have good vibes, we need to let the good things into our life. Treasuring God’s word, serving, and praying are all ways to invite good energy. Being a light, loving others without conditions, and withholding judgment also invite the spirit of goodness and aloha into our lives.
I hope you’ll work to have good vibes. When you go to Hawaii or anywhere in nature, good mana is like kharma—it always comes back to you. 😉
✨ With joy & aloha,
Leialoha
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 mana?
In the comments below, I’d love to hear your thoughts on this concept. Do you believe in it or is it a little too much for you? 😉
The Hawaiian word, paulele, teaches us a valuable lesson: have faith, confidence, trust, and believe completely. From personal experience, the Hawaiians and locals I’ve met throughout my life in the islands were very spiritual people. Even if we didn’t worship at the same churches, there was still an invisible string of faith and love that connected us, much like aloha. In Hawaii, we feel a deep connection to the ‘aina, one another, and to God.
This article is my take on the word paulele based off my experience growing up in Hawaii and faith in God. In my personal opinion, paulele focuses on our relationship with God. Even in the Hawaiian dictionary, the definition of paulele references a bible verse where the word is used. It’s easy to credit miracles, positive experiences, and even overcoming challenges to ourselves, others, or “the universe,” but when we do that, we completely ignore the person who loves, created, and gifts us with this life: God.
Exercising paulele doesn’t come naturally, as we would rather believe in things we see before our eyes. But paulele helps us see the bigger picture, even if it’s not always the one we want or expect. It is faith and trust that God is there, he loves us, and things will work according to his plan, which is greater and better than our own.
Paulele also means having faith in Jesus Christ, the son of God. Everything that Jesus did for us and the life he exemplified would take up this entire article (and more!), so I can simply say that paulele is having faith in Christ too, not just anyone or anything, but in a Savior who can lift, help, comfort, and guide us.
The following are some ways we can live the value of paulele:
Paulele is faith in any of its forms
In the bible we read, Aʻole au i ʻike i ka paulele nui” Luka 7:9, which translates to, “I have not seen so great faith.” Faith has been described in many ways throughout scripture and its commentary: great faith, strong faith, beautiful faith, perfect faith, little faith, and so forth.
When the disciples feared the raging sea and awoke Jesus to calm the waters, the Savior asked, “Why are ye so fearful?” Faith, in any of its forms, drives out fear. What kind of faith do we strive for? When we think more about the value of paulele, we can make a clear decision of what kind of faith we want.
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Believe implicitly
The Hawaiian dictionary (this is the one I always use) states that paulele is to “believe implicitly.” Implicit means something implied or assumed without stating it. I love that with paulele, you can believe something but not have to state it, because that belief is manifest in your actions.
For example, when someone reads the scriptures, the word of God, they do it with the belief that they will gain something from it. I know that for me, sometimes I don’t get much out of my scripture studies. Maybe I was tired that morning or lacking focus, but I always feel better after I try.
When we believe, we try. And when we put forth even the smallest effort, God recognizes that and blesses us more than we deserve.
We can also believe implicitly when we work towards our goals. As a writer and new indie author, I have to constantly be a cheerleader for myself. It’s not easy, but when I pray about this path for me, I feel that I’m right on track. And I go forward with faith knowing that the journey might not be perfect, but I believe that it will be worth it. God will make things work out the way they should.
It’s not always easy to believe in things we can’t see, but because of our trust in God, we believe and step forward into the unknown. Our faith drives away fear. Even if we don’t know all the answers, make mistakes, or even fail at our efforts, our faith continues to push us forward, ignoring the negative voices.
Having faith in every season of life
With paulele, we have faith through any season of life: the good, the bad, and the ugly. Often we find ourselves on our knees in prayer when things aren’t going well. But what about when things are good? Do we take the time to remember his hand in our lives? Our faith truly shines when we love and trust God through both the ups and downs of life.
Mahalo ke Akuahelps us appreciate the moment, the miracles, and see the beauty and goodness in our lives.
Trust and believe, even when others don’t
It makes me sad to see people downplaying the importance of Jesus Christ. Even Christianity in general is seeing a decline. Our Savior, the most important person to have ever lived, wasn’t only mocked while he lived on the earth. He is continually mocked in the media, being “cancelled” by cancel culture, and the list could go on. And let’s not even mention the way people use his name and titles in vain.
However, those who live paulele trust and believe, even when others don’t. Even when society wants to get rid of Christianity and any of its references. We continue to believe and have faith in God and Jesus Christ. We continue to believe because we love God and Jesus, and we know that our personal conversion is more important than anything else. It can inspire us to do and be good, and when they have our back, how can we fail?
Paulele can be fun
I know that it can be difficult to pray and read scriptures everyday, so why not make it fun? Choosing topics and asking questions that interest me help make my studies meaningful and fun for me. I also like to use notebooks, pens, and colored pencils to highlight and annotate my scriptures and take notes. Bible and scripture study need not be boring. It can be an amazing experience.
Another thing is to join with other Christians in celebrating Christ. We don’t have to belong to the same religion. We all love Jesus, so let’s focus on that similarity between us. Talk with your friends about what they’ve been studying. Ask about their perspective on stories from Jesus’ life. Discover how Christ brings love and life to them.
Also feel free to watch uplifting content about Jesus that’s out there. I’ve really enjoyed watching “the Jesus show,” as people call it haha. I’m not into shows or series but “The Chosen” really inspires me and shows a fresh perspective on Jesus that I appreciate. The Bible videos also stick to actual passages of scripture from the bible and this definitely helps visual learners as they study the life of Christ.
Questions to reflect on paulele
Do I have faith? What is my form of faith?
Do I believe implicitly?
How do I feel about the world’s view on Christianity? Do I truly trust and believe in God and Jesus Christ?
How can I make growing my faith fun for me?
An article related to this one is the value of Mahalo. Feel free to check it out!
Let’s hear your take on this!
In the comments below, what is your take on paulele? What are some other ways you live the value of paulele?
The Hawaiian word “ahonui” means “patience, long suffering, and tolerance.” When broken down, the word gives us insight into how to exercise patience, even in unpleasant circumstances.
Aho means “breath or to breathe”
Nui means “big, large, long, or great.”
Divers and chanters hold their breath for long periods of time in order to perform well. It isn’t always comfortable to hold onto a long breath, but what about taking deep breaths? Taking deep breaths can actually help us exercise patience, see the bigger picture, and stay calm and cool, even in the most stressful situations.
We need patience every day of our lives, as we deal with other people, situations, and even ourselves. Patience helps us live aloha by helping us value and love ourselves and others more. Ahonui encourages us to take a deep breath before reacting.
Here are some practical ways to take the “long breath” and practice the virtue and value of ahonui.
Wait without getting frustrated
Patience is the ability to wait without getting angry or frustrated. It takes a great amount of self control to live the value of ahonui, but making a clear decision ahead of time should help. When emotional, stressful, or irritating circumstances happen—as they always will—let us carefully check our response.
Are we getting frustrated? Why?
What does the situation look from another person’s point of view? Maybe we’re waiting in a long line, dealing with a child’s tantrum, or sitting in traffic. What can we learn from this experience, and how can we do better next time?
Sometimes it’s helpful to talk out our impatience with others or write in a journal. Self reflection can reveal some of our deeper frustrations, the things at our core that trigger impatience at the surface.
Ahonui focuses on the bigger perspective
Sometimes we simply forget the bigger picture. With ahonui, we take a great breath to ‘ike loa, see much. What is our main goal?
The little bumps along the way are just that—bumps. We’ll get over them, even if it takes longer than we hoped. As we keep our eyes on the end goal, it helps us endure—even tolerate—any current inconveniences.
As a writer, I often feel impatient with how long it takes to write and publish a book. I sometimes compare myself to other published authors and feel like I’m behind. But when I focus on the bigger picture, I see that this is my journey, and ahonui is helping me get to where I want to go. As I continue my writing journey with care, ahonui encourages me to take a deep breath, appreciate the moment, and not get frustrated with inconveniences or the length of time it takes to write and publish.
Similarly, as creatives, employees, employers, parents, spouses, and in so many roles in our lives, we may feel impatient that things don’t go as quickly or smoothly as we like.
Yet with ahonui, we can breathe easier and even enjoy our time. With bumps and valleys to get through, our deep breaths can help us focus on the end goal. These inconveniences will pass, and our long suffering will be worth it in the end.
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Ahonui helps us find the root of the problem
Sometimes the problem isn’t the current problem in front of us that makes us impatient. Something deeper within us needs some attention and care. Are we taking care of ourselves?
When we’re tired, hungry, or stressed about something else, impatience rears its ugly head.
So what is happening deeper inside of us?
As mentioned earlier, talking to a friend or journaling helps us discover the deeper problem. We should also make sure we’re caring for the basics of our health: getting enough sleep, drinking enough water, not overbooking or overdoing it, maintaining healthy relationships, etc.
Know our triggers
Knowing our triggers also helps us deal with impatience. Sometimes past experiences emotionally and mentally scar us, and we should try to notice any patterns we see with our own impatience.
Does impatience usually happen in certain scenarios, places, or even with specific people?
For example, I get incredibly impatient from being on a boat. I’d only been on my grandpa’s boat once in Hawaii as a teenager, and the experience wasn’t terribly amazing. But when I moved to the mainland and married my husband, I quickly learned that his family loves boating. I began to realize how grumpy, angry, and—frankly—frustrated I felt after boating. I’m simply not a fan of the wind blowing my hair everywhere—especially when it starts to get cold—or being on a boat for a long time. So I had two decisions: I could learn to enjoy boating, or I could simply not go on the boat.
Finding the root of the problem helps us understand ourselves better and make clear decisions on how to navigate going forward. It shows aloha to ourselves—and others, as nobody wants to deal with a grumpy, frustrated person. 😛 But, even more than that, it helps us live the value of ahonui. Not only do we take a deep breath to gain clarity and evaluate the situation, but we learn how to more fully live with patience.
Ho’omanawanui, twin value to ahonui
Ho’omanawanui helps us bear through long seasons of our lives. Sometimes we have to suffer for a long time, and, as frustrating as it is, both ho’omanawanui and ahonui make us stronger people. Sometimes there is no end in sight, and long suffering begs us to take deep breaths and live in the now. Stay present, stay grounded, and remember that these values help us grow in the end.
Ahonui is truly a blessing. As we learn to take deep breaths in life, it can dazzle us with the lessons we’ve learned and the aloha that abounds. One thing I’ve learned with ahonui is to not take things too seriously. It’s ok to laugh, instead of lashing out in anger. Humor helps us find joy in life. If we take things too seriously, everything can frustrate us. So let us take deep breaths as we live, love, and laugh.
With aloha,
Lei
Let’s hear it from you!
What are your thoughts on the value of ahonui? Does patience come naturally for you? Do you have tips for those struggling with patience? Let us know in the comments! Mahalo for your help!
Po’okela is the Hawaiian word meaning “superior, best,” and “outstanding.” The value of po’okela teaches us to strive for excellence and do outstanding work. In Hawaii, most schools, churches, and community organizations, frequently refer to po’okela as a core value because it helps everyone in the group give 110%.
When we give our best, we feel our best. In all that we do, striving for excellence helps us honor and respect our creativity, gifts, and talents. It gives us a zest for life because we think “beyond” the box, not just “outside the box.” We use our unique personality and gifts to contribute in meaningful ways.
Because of po’okela, we go beyond the bare minimum. Doing that opens a space of aloha for others to do the same. When everyone strives for excellence, relationships are healthy, work environments and spaces function properly, and efficiency comes naturally.
Here are some other keys to living po’okela in our daily lives:
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Do outstanding work
Like ho’ohana, the value of po’okela encourages us to work hard and do meaningful work. But what if we took it a step further to do outstanding work?
Too often we limit ourselves because an idea of ours hasn’t been done yet. We feel scared or anxious that others will reject or mock our efforts.
But with po’okela, we focus on what we can control, and we make an effort to ignore the doubters, haters, and critics. Every person has a purpose here on this earth, and as we do outstanding work, that purpose becomes clearer and clearer.
One thing that most people (including myself) love about the Hawaiian culture is the constant attitude of giving and going above and beyond. Growing up, I truly treasured the times I went into the yard, picked some ti leaves, and made lei to celebrate a special event like graduation, the holidays, or just because someone shared good news. People always seemed incredibly thoughtful, and good news shared by one person was good news for every person. Leis, food, and hugs were always given quickly and without any second thoughts.
What if we extended this generosity and thoughtfulness into more than getting a gift for a friend? Can we exercise the value of po’okela more in our relationships?
Instead of scrolling through our phone as someone talks or turning on a tv show instead of interacting with a loved one, what if we gave others our full attention? How about going above and beyond in remembering details about others? Do we need to exercise more patience with family members? Extend forgiveness?
We should ask ourselves, on a weekly—if not daily—basis: How can I strive for excellence in my relationships?
Avoid Being Kapulu (sloppy)
Growing up, my parents ensured that my siblings and I strove for excellence. Because of this, they discouraged us to be kapulu (sloppy), pilau (dirty), or unorganized. But one thing my dad said that always stuck with me (for better or worse) was not to do things “half-okole.” Well, ‘okole means bottom, butt, etc so you get the idea haha.
Anyway, I grew up always thinking that. In everything I did, even in jobs I strongly disliked, I put in my best effort–not half, not a quarter, not even 75%, but my best. I have tried to avoid sloppiness, laziness, and apathy.
When we do quality work, we get quality outcomes. I didn’t have to work uncomfortable and tiring jobs too long, as my efforts led me to network with others who offered better jobs.
As I’m currently writing books and creating content, I always try to ask myself: Is this the best I can do?
Po’okela means “best, outstanding, greatest” and even “champion!” Similar to ‘imi ola, where our call is to seek the highest in life, po’okela teaches us to do our best, to strive for quality in all that we do.
It’s easy to get lazy at a job or in relationships, but po’okela encourages us to do better. In high school, my teachers, coaches, counselors, and even the school kahu (pastor) said this word all the time. They drilled it into us and it sure worked because even to this day, I remember how important it is to live the value of po’okela.
Give 110%
Similar to the value of laulima and ho’okipa, po’okela invites us to give 110%. Growing up in Hawaii, many local athletes would say, “I gave 110%.” This mindset always stuck with me. If we give 110%, how would our relationships, creative projects, career, schooling, or current season of life change?
Questions to help us live po’okela:
1. Is there a project you’re currently working on? How can you put excellence and quality into it? Quality and excellence usually happen when we set time aside for our work, eliminate distractions, and have fun! Create that space for yourself so that you can do your best work!
2. Is there a relationship (especially those with a spouse or kids) that is at mediocre quality? What is something you can do to make it better? (Check out the blog for inspiration, or check out the 5 Hawaiian Days to Wellness Course) Do something fun and make meaningful memories!
3. Are you striving for excellence in your career, school, or your current season in life (parenting, service, volunteer work, etc)?
Whenever we slump into laziness or sloppiness we really do ourselves a disservice. It’s ok to take breaks and not do everything perfect, but it’s also important to honor ourselves with the quality of work that we do, in whatever season of life we might be in.
So I hope this is an amazing spring season for you as we all strive to live po’okela.
With aloha always,
Leialoha
Your turn!
How do you live the value of po’okela? Please let us know in the comments!
Congratulations on your choice to learn the Hawaiian language! Over the years, interest has sparked in the Hawaiian language and now there are some fun apps, websites, videos, and books to help people learn the Hawaiian language. As someone from Hawaii, I’ve finally made the decision to officially learn the Hawaiian Language and speak it more fluently (I’ve always understood more of it than I could speak it). I took two years of Hawaiian language in high school and one semester in college, so I was able to evaluate these resources based on my own knowledge and personal preference.
Most of these resources I use (or have used in the past), meaning that I wouldn’t recommend something that doesn’t work! One or more of these should help you, especially if you are only beginning your Hawaiian language journey. Even better, some of them are free! I also added some ideas for intermediate and advanced Hawaiian language speakers.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you decide to purchase any of these resources, I earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Read more about it here.
Hawaiian Language Apps
Duolingo – Hawaiian Language
This FREE app has always been an amazing language learning tool. With the friendly face of the owl and only 15 minutes a day, Duolingo is a fantastic resource. As someone who is a little more advanced, it’s nice to be able to “test out” of some of the courses on Duolingo and skip ahead. There are ads after each lesson with the option of upgrading to Premium for a fee. I love the community page too, where I connect with my family to keep accountable and challenge one another.
Another FREE app, Drop allows 5 minutes sessions of language learning a day. You can get extra time by upgrading to Premium. I’ve only used this app for a short time but I really enjoy dragging and dropping things. It sort of relaxes my brain, like I’m playing a game instead of “learning a language.” I also loved the wide range of vocabulary and selection of scenarios (health, finance, travel, animals, time, etc).
My Hawaiian language teacher in college used these very videos to teach us! They are super informative, easy to watch, and they go at a really comfortable pace. For beginners, it’s nice to learn grammar structure and words. For intermediate and advanced, it’s nice to use these videos to review.
What better way to learn Hawaiian from the locals themselves? Lokelani and Ka’analike are so fun, warm, and quick as they teach the Hawaiian language. Though they have few videos up, so I hope they keep going!
A dictionary always comes in handy when learning a new language! This dictionary trumps all the rest, as it was compiled by two of Hawaii’s greatest historians and recorders, Mary Kawena Pukui and Samuel H. Elbert. With this Hawaiian dictionary, there’s really no need to find or get any others. Of course it might not have updated terminology like kamipuela (computer), but it’s pretty complete.
I’m not impressed with the selection of Hawaiian language learning books
To be completely honest, there are Hawaiian grammar and language learning books out there but I’ve never really found one that was helpful for me. Many of them say “beginner,” but have vague concepts and usually share more vocab words than any grammar techniques. So I can’t really recommend any books, but if I do find some that are helpful, I’ll be sure to come back and update this! And if you have any suggestions, leave them in the comments below for me and others to check out!
Books Translated into the Hawaiian Language
This is a brilliant idea for intermediate and advanced Hawaiian language speakers. Some popular titles have been translated into the Hawaiian language, and a side-by-side read of these books with the English versions can really help. Reading my scriptures in a different language has always helped me learn languages faster too(side note: I used to speak and read Japanese, and am fluent in Tagalog)!
Harry Potter & The Sorcerer’s Stone
What better way to learn Hawaiian than by reading Harry Potter? I was so excited to find out that this was translated into the Hawaiian language. I’m eager to get my hands on a copy! Get the Hawaiian version of the book here.
The Adventures of Alice in Wonderland
This book was translated by the same person who translated Harry Potter. As not everything translates perfectly, he took some liberties in his version. I look forward to reading this! Get the Hawaiian version of the book here.
Other General Resources
I haven’t tried any of these, but I thought it might be worth mentioning, especially since we all learn differently than one another!
‘Olelo Online
I didn’t really dig into this website, but it does look like it has a lot of content along with downloadable PDFs, structured lessons, and more. Check out ‘Olelo Online here.
italki
The idea is that you can speak with a native speaker on this website. However, when I checked there weren’t any native Hawaiian speakers. So this might be a good resource for advanced and fluent Hawaiian speakers to use their skills to help others trying to learn. Check out italki here.
Fluent in 3 Months
I haven’t personally tried this but the idea does intrigue me. Someone can hold a 30 minute conversation in another language in only 3 months? Tell me more. 🙂 If I do take this course, I will come back and update this! Check out Fluent in 3 Months here.
That’s a wrap, for now! I hope one or more of these resources will help you get started on your Hawaiian language journey. If there are any resources that you’ve absolutely loved or found helpful on your Hawaiian language journey, please share by commenting below. We’d all be grateful for your kokua!
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…
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