Laulima: Many Hands Make Light Work

Laulima is the Hawaiian word meaning “many hands” cooperating, and working together.

“Lau” means – much or very many

“Lima” means – hand

As one of Hawaii’s core values, laulima encourages us to work together for a greater cause. Laulima helps us visualize the image of “many hands.”

Something I always say is that every person has a contribution to make. Laulima deeply reminds us of this truth.

Every person has something to offer. Our differences can compliment one another, and make us all stronger.

The value of laulima is similar to the Hawaiian value, lōkahi, which means unity, oneness, and harmony.

However, laulima gives us the visual insight into the life of ancient Hawaii. It reminds us that universal values are timeless–the community and goodness within it is not lost.

While the ancient Hawaiians built unity, we, too, can build unity in our own communities.

Laulima and Ancient Hawaiian Communities

In ancient Hawaii, people lived in little communities. The communities survived and thrived off the contribution of each member, from the fishers, to the weavers, and farmers. Most of the people lived in ahapua’a, which followed a river that exited into the sea. The fishers traded with the farmers upstream, and the way of life was so well-organized that the ancient Hawaiians had more time for leisure activities like hula dancing and tapa-cloth making.

A tradition of laulima that started much later on the islands is the hukilau, where members of the community cast a giant net into the sea. The net required everyone to pull it in.

“Two, three, huki!” the community chanted in unison.

When the net finally dragged onto the shore, the leaders divided the fish amongst the families.

It brought a sense of community. It reminded us that “we are all in this together.”

Thinking about ancient Hawaiian communities makes me wonder how we can foster this sense of community in our own cities, churches, neighborhoods, and even our workplaces.

The funny thing is… I’m writing this article during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are all separated in our homes, and can’t go out unless we absolutely need to.

But there is a sense of community in the fact that the whole world is going through this together.

Here’s the key to laulima: When we share experiences, we grow stronger together.

People are stepping up from all over the world to sew masks, donate goods, and support essential workers. Acts of kindness are being done all over the world. For once, we are putting aside our differences to put our hands together (metaphorically, of course) for good.

How can we keep this spirit of laulima alive, even after the pandemic is over?

Or have you ever gone to an amazing camp, retreat, or conference where you felt unified with others? How can we keep that spirit even after those moments where we felt united?

How did the ancient Hawaiians keep the spirit of laulima, even when they didn’t hold a hukilau?

We share experiences.

Every life is different, but we all still experience grief, sorrow, and pain. We experience regret, guilt, and resent. We also experience peace, happiness, and joy.

In one way or another, we can all connect and relate to one another.

We can share our stories. When we share in the emotions and feelings of others, we become a little closer, a little more united.

Even if we don’t agree with someone on a political, financial, or religious view, we can still be a part of the community. We can still be civil and loving, even amidst our differences. This is the value of aloha.

Just as we put our hands together to solve a common problem (the pandemic), we can do it again.

We can fight hunger, corrupt systems, poverty, abortion, racism, and so many other terrible things happening in the world.

Share joyful experiences too

Not all experiences need be sad to foster laulima!

My dad abused us, and my parent’s divorce took painfully long. My siblings and I went through the wringer (mentally, emotionally, physically) because of it.

Here’s the thing though…

We share in the difficulties of our experiences, but we also CREATE new experiences–joyful ones!

People get jealous because of the fun events my siblings and I plan, which create new, joyful memories for us together. For example, one year I put together a Harry Potter party and my siblings fully stepped up to the occasion, even dressing up for it! For Thanksgiving or Chinese New Year, we all put our hands together to bring food and celebrate.

When we create these meaningful experiences, we create joyful memories. We foster the spirit of lokahi and laulima.

The world needs the spirit of laulima more than ever before. What are some ways you can live the value of laulima in your life? In your family, community, church, school, and so forth?