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. 🙂
Want to support wildlife conservation efforts? Here’s a fun and easy way!
In Hawaii, we believe that when you care for the land, it cares for you. The phrase we use is “mālama ka ‘aina.” The word mālama, which means “to care for and protect,” is a word and value that inspires us to care for the world around us… And that includes all of God’s amazing creations: the animals, the plants, the trees, the ocean, etc.
While we can and should do our part to become more eco-friendly, there are other ways we can support conservation efforts, and I think I found the perfect, FUN thing: Fahlo bracelets.
Fahlo is a company that partners with wildlife conservation efforts so you can track a real animal. With each bracelet purchased, you are supporting wildlife, on land and sea. The company has four animal bracelets to choose from: turtles, sharks, polar bears, or elephants.
And the best part? Each bracelet comes with an animal to track. You can download the Fahlo app (on Apple or Google Play) and see where your animal is in the world. I love this, as I feel a special connection to the turtles I’m tracking.
How do Fahlo bracelets raise awareness?
I get compliments on my bracelets all the time!
Have you ever worn a piece of jewelry and someone says, “I love that!” or “How cute!” — How many times has someone told me this about my bracelets? Too many to count! When people comment about the bracelets in real life or on social media, I love sharing about how the bracelets support sea turtles. That’s the beauty of these bracelets. With this jewelry, you can share about the wildlife you’re supporting and show them the animal you’re tracking! What better way to raise awareness about wildlife conservation efforts?
These bracelets also make amazing gifts. Imagine gifting a loved one a bracelet that not only supports a wildlife conservation effort, but comes with an animal to track? It’s so fun to see where your animal is. I love checking in with my turtles!
Use my link or use code LEIALOHA20 to get 20% off your Fahlo order!
Do the tracking methods hurt the animals?
I asked this question right off the bat. I wanted to know if the tracking is safe for the animals. Are the devices, attached to the animals, hurting them? I’d feel horrible if they did, so don’t worry. I looked into this too. Here’s the rundown on each animal:
Sea turtle tracking:
The sea turtle bracelets are my favorite!
Depending on the type of sea turtle, most trackers are placed on the turtle’s back using a resin or non-heat epoxy, which won’t hurt the turtle. These materials wear down after about a year and then fall off. For loggerhead turtles, the tracker must be attached to the dorsal ridge. So far the transmitter hasn’t seemed to affect the turtle’s travels or behavior. Find out more about turtle tracking here.
Shark tracking:
The tracking devices are placed next to or through the dorsal fin. The website says that the sharks don’t react, as the dorsal fin has no nerve endings. So, as far as we know, the device isn’t harming the shark, nor does it mess with their senses and behavior. The tags wear down over time. Another method they use is an acoustic tag, which they implant in the shark’s body cavity. The device lasts up to 10 years and shows no side effects. Find out more about shark tracking here.
Polar bear tracking:
A collar, made of flexible, synthetic material is placed around the polar bear’s neck. I felt worried about this but the more I read about it, the more I realized how important the data is for our understanding of polar bears, and what we can do to protect them. Find out more about polar bear tracking here.
Elephant tracking:
Like the polar bears, the elephants are tracked using collars. The website didn’t say much about how they apply the collars to the elephants, but the collars have incredible benefits. One of the benefits is that one of the algorithms of the tracker checks for unnatural movement, which can warn if an elephant is potentially in danger by poachers. The tracker informs local wildlife management and enforcement, who can respond much more quickly than if the elephants didn’t have the collars. Find out more about elephant tracking here.
Is Fahlo a scam?
I know. I asked this question too, and I’ve done all the research. When I went to each wildlife conservation website, they confirmed their partnership with Fahlo… which means, the money you spend on your bracelet IS going to that wildlife conservancy! So is Fahlo a scam? No, it’s legit. 🙂
What are the bracelets made of?
I did a little more digging on this one and had an awesome contact to let me know the details. You will receive your bracelet in a compostable brown bag. The bracelet itself is made of crushed stone. The main charm is made of plastic and produced in China by a family-owned business. The bracelets are shipped from Dallas, Texas.
What size does the bracelet come in?
The bracelets are one-size-fits-all. But… I have tiny wrists so I actually cut my bracelet and re-strung them with three less beads. My sister got some for her daughters and they didn’t mind the bracelets being a little bigger. It’s just a matter of preference. 🙂
Want a bracelet to support wildlife conservation?
I have turtle bracelets and aim to get some shark bracelets soon. I love wearing my bracelets and get compliments on them all the time. If you want to take the dip and get some Fahlo bracelets for yourself, use my link or use code LEIALOHA20 to get 20% off your Fahlo order!
In conclusion, MAHALO for your efforts to mālama ka ‘aina. I truly believe that when we make an effort to connect with earth and the animals, it can bless our lives in amazing and beautiful ways. Let me know in the comments if you have any questions. Or if you got a bracelet, let me know which one you got! Are you a shark, turtle, polar bear, or elephant kind of person? I’d love to know!
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 ‘ohana means family. The word is familiar to most people but seemed to be made popular by Disney’s “Lilo & Stitch,” where the characters quote, “‘Ohana means family. Family means no one gets left behind.”
This is indeed true of families, but there is a deeper meaning to the word and spirit of ‘ohana. It’s more than just inclusion or not being forgotten. It’s about fostering loving and lasting relationships with those of our blood-relatives, as well as our brothers and sisters in the human family.
The Polynesian culture deeply values ‘ohana, and family ties are more important than anything else—more important than money, than fame, than material things. A brother would sacrifice anything for a brother, a parent for a child, a sister for a sister… Family ties are so important.
Generations before are also deeply important. We find our sense of place by knowing who our ancestors were, and what they sacrificed for us.
So how do we implement the value of ‘ohana into our lives? What if we come from broken families, or if we’ve never felt the ties to loved ones?
Queen Lili’uokalani’s ‘Ohana
Those who have studied the life of Hawaii’s last monarch, Queen Lili’uokalani know that she was a hanai, adopted, daughter to Abner Paki and Laura Konia. In her own bibliography, the queen notes how this was the common practice of ancient Hawaii.
It was a custom that the firstborn in the family went to one of the parent’s siblings. This may seem odd to western culture, and the queen acknowledges this.
Why would anyone give their firstborn to a sibling to raise? we wonder.
It was the concept of ‘ohana… that we are all connected, and sharing families helps avoid pilikia, trouble or offense. It requires trust and confidence in your family to give your firstborn to a sibling.
If it was so important to the ancient Hawaiians to give their firstborn children to another for care, what does that mean for us today?
‘Ohana connects us, no matter what
Certainly, none of us are expected to give our firstborn children to a sibling!
But what if, instead of giving up a firstborn child, we give more love and friendship to our families?
If we granted them a little more trust or, at least, the benefit of the doubt, would that change the dynamic?
Would things change if we loved and had confidence in our families enough to support them? What if we forgave them willingly and openly?
The spirit of ‘ohana is that we are deeply connected: by our heritage, our shared blood, and our family ties. We came to this earth at this time, together, and we can be together even after this life.
The spirit of ‘ohana is that we support our blood ‘ohana as well as those not related to us. After all, we are all God’s children so every person we pass is a brother and sister. So we do well to one another, love one another, and care for one another—physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
How else can we live the spirit of ‘ohana?
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Reach out to ‘ohana
It seems to me that most families are not very open with one another. As the world advances in technology and resources, people grow further and further apart.
Take the time to reach out to your family members. Let them know you’re there. Even if you don’t agree on things, such as religion, politics, finances, etc do what you can to preserve the relationship. You’ll find that deep relationships, where differences are discussed in a mature and meaningful way, can last forever. And you might find that you have more in common than you realized.
Seek understanding
We all come from families of every shape and size, and it’s important to seek understanding in each interaction. Families mold the way we see the world, and it’s important to understand, for yourself and others, how families have shaped us. Most times we seek understanding by being better listeners. Read more about how to do that here:
Some of us come from families where abuse, in all its degrading forms, was common in the home. Have the courage to recognize the abuse, then make a decision to break the cycle. Many cycles of abuse are generational, meaning they pass from one generation to another.
It’s usually caused by the beliefs of ‘ohana members past, and their beliefs do not need to be yours. Notice your thoughts and feelings towards other and your family, and make the commitment to break any cycles that have repeated itself in your family.
For those coming from broken families
One of the hardest things for me in moving to the mainland was the constant stereotype that Polynesian families are strong and close. Most Polynesian families have strong ties and healthy relationships, but not all.
When my parents got divorced, I felt estranged from my dad and his family. I felt disenchanted by my grandparents, who had played such little roles in my life. So when people on the mainland assumed that, because I was Hawaiian, my family was strongly knit together, it hurt.
No family is perfect, but I did crave the strong bonds I saw in other families. It made my heart happy to see siblings that cheered one another on, and parents who genuinely listened and supported their kids.
Take heart 💙
So if you come from a broken family, take heart. You can still value ‘ohana and keep the spirit of it in your life.
The spirit of ‘ohana is that every person is a part of the family, and every person has something they can contribute.
I believe that God compensates for the things we lack. For example, I never really had a strong emotional bond with either of my parents. Their way of coping with things was to stuff it down. Later in life, I met amazing women who were mother figures in my life. I never quite had a father figure, so I turned to God for that, because he is the father of our spirits, and he is perfect. Take hope, knowing that God compensates for the lack in your life.
There is hope for a better ‘ohana for everyone in this world. My hope came when I got married, knowing that I was starting my own ‘ohana. My hope came in knowing that I’m the one breaking the cycle of abuse so that generations after me will always have reason to hope.
So hold onto that hope, no matter what your ‘ohana looks like right now. And remember, you are a part of one big ‘ohana too!
With joy and aloha,
Leialoha
P.S. If you’re new here, check out my free mini course, 5 Hawaiian Days to Wellness, complete with Hawaiian values, challenges, and encouragement!
Mālama is the Hawaiian word “to care for and protect.” You’ll commonly hear the word mālama associated with the phrase, “Mālama ka ‘aina,” meaning to take care of the land.
Hawaiians, to this day, love, preserve, and protect the land. It is the source of our living. If we take care of it, it will take care of us.
The word mālama can be used in other ways too. If you’re in Hawaii and are saying goodbye to someone, they might tell you, “Mālama pono” meaning to “watch out” or “be careful.”
Another common phrase is “Mālama Honua” which means to take care of the earth. When we protect the planet, we keep it well for future generations.
Mālama can also mean tending to others. Those who live the value of mālama have a bigger perspective. They see that every person suffers from something and needs nurturing and love. These attributes may come naturally to some of us, but, for others, these are skills that take time and practice to develop.
When we mālama, see the needs of others, the world, and ourselves, and we respond responsibly.
Like many of the other Hawaiian values, we can implement the value of mālama in our lives through service, protecting, and nurturing. An interesting thing about mālama is that when we care for others, we actually provide healing for ourselves too.
It’s an interesting paradox, but makes sense. After all, Christ said that “…whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it” (Luke 9:24).
When we actively seek opportunities to care for others, we find ourselves, as well as purpose and meaning in our lives.
Here are other ways to live the value of mālama.
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Mālama is Selfless Service
When I was about 16 years old, I remember being hungry a lot because we lived in poverty. For many nights, mom put random things together for dinner. She stretched out the budget by making things homemade, and we usually ate every last crumb of our meals.
We were faithful church members and made friendships with a lot of people there. One of the friendships was with full filipino aunty Fabi, who just married full Mexican Uncle Al. They invited us to their house and whenever they did, there was guaranteed to be a lot of food.
Uncle Al made delicious, authentic Mexican food, and Aunty Fabi made mouth-watering, authentic Filipino food. Both were expert cooks.
“You eat like birds,” Uncle Al teased when our stomachs filled up fast at his house. There were five of us, but we barely made a dent to the tray of enchiladas. Our stomachs were small.
Uncle Al and Aunt Fabi exemplified mālama to me. They served and cared for us, when our own parents couldn’t do that for us: Emotionally, Uncle Al would crack jokes to make us laugh; Physically, they both fed us; and mentally, they genuinely asked about our school activities and whereabouts.
Mālama gives all… there’s no holding back.
One day, my older sister complained there was no food in the house. She was the most vocal of the siblings, brave enough to argue back with dad. I think God sent angels to help us because several hours later, Uncle Al showed up with a huge tray of enchiladas.
Mālama. Care. Tend. Protect. Preserve. Uncle Al and Aunt Fabi probably had no idea what a difference they made… they were just doing their best to care for others. When we live with an attitude of mālama, we can spread aloha in so many ways… ways that we didn’t even know were possible.
Honor yourself and others
Mālama means to take care of yourself too. If you don’t take care of your emotional, physical, and spiritual needs, it is difficult to serve others. Honor your personal dignity by trying self care activities and refueling your spirit.
You honor others when you seek self improvement and try to become your best self.
Mālama ka ‘aina
Take care of the land. As I said earlier, when you take care of the land, it takes care of you. In the Hawaiian saying, “Nana i ke kumu” we learn to look to the land as a source of knowledge, inspiration, and physical nourishment.
When we care for and respect the land and its creatures, it does the same for us. It teaches us valuable life lessons and provides peace.
I have learned many things from observing God’s creations, especially the sea turtles in Hilo. During a trying time in my life, I sat at the beach every morning, watching the sea turtles swim in from the ocean. Their gracious presence, wise eyes, and kind spirits taught me a lot of life lessons.
From interacting with and caring for God’s creations, I felt nurtured and refreshed in return.
If you want to support wildlife conservation efforts, I highly encourage you to check out Fahlo. When you buy a bracelet from Fahlo, you support a wildlife conservation cause (depending on which animal bracelet you get!) and then receive your very own animal to track! I absolutely love my turtle bracelets, which reminds me to malama the earth. 🙂
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Mālama inspires us to protect the innocent
There are a lot of terrible things going on in the world today, whether we want to turn a blind eye to it or not: human trafficking, racism, abortion, abuse, poverty, starvation, etc.
We can’t do everything for everyone, but we can support causes we feel passionately about, whether that’s through raising awareness, educating ourselves, or volunteering time, money, or resources.
When we protect the innocent, we honor the value of human life. We live a pono life, restoring balance in the world.
Watch this video to learn more about why we should fight against abortion: 2,363
Also please consider donating to help end child trafficking: O.U.R.
Mālama is loving aloha
Mālama is an inspiring Hawaiian value that, when practiced, can bring a lot of joy. I’m sure Uncle Al and Aunt Fabi found joy in serving our family. Their food, made with love, brought us joy too.
Can you imagine what the world would be like if we all cared for one another a little more? If we served a little more? It doesn’t even have to be huge. Even just having a lighthearted conversation with a cashier, a smile to a stranger, or a quiet service to a family member can foster the value of mālama in our homes and lives.
When we learn to mālama, we invite the constant flow of aloha, love, into our lives, thereby creating paradise right where we are.
With aloha,
Leialoha
If you want to bring more aloha into your home, check out my free ebook: Bringing Aloha Home
It’s your turn!
If you have any other ideas on how to implement the value of mālama, let me know in the comments below! 🙂
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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