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. 🙂
Which Hawaiian treats are you craving? It’s hard not to drool a little when you see pictures of li hing gummy bears or sour worms. Or chi chi dango mochi, kulolo, or chocolate haupia pie. Hawaiian treats are seriously the best!
But if you’ve moved to the mainland, like me, you might realize that in order to get some Hawaiian treats, you sometimes have to go to Asian markets or other speciality stores because the local markets don’t have specific ingredients. Don’t worry. I’ve created this list of easy Hawaiian trets to help you satisfy that island sweet tooth. A few of the following items on the list may require some assistance from your island friends and family (or you can order items online), but most of these are treats you can make from items at your local grocery store. Enjoy!
Pineapple Upside Down Cake
I’m not sure if this counts as actually Hawaiian treats but it was my dad’s favorite so I always assumed it’s a Hawaii thing. Anyway, you can easily get a can of pineapple at your local supermarket, as well as the other ingredients like yellow cake mix, maraschino cherries, butter, and brown sugar. There are numerous recipes online but my favorite is the one where you don’t use a recipe and just pack that brown sugar and sugar on the bottom of the cake pan! Cheehoo!
Li Hing Mui Gummy Bears (or Worms or Watermelon)
You might need someone to send up a bag of li hing mui, but once you get your hands on it, the world of sweetness is yours! Sprinkle li hing mui on gummy bears, sour watermelons, sour worms, or even pineapple to make your own Hawaiian treats at home!
Haupia Chocolate Pie
This is surprisingly easy to make, especially if you’ve learned to do it from scratch. I like to buy the premade graham cracker crusts and make my own haupia, which is composed of coconut milk, corn starch, and sugar. The chocolate pudding mix is a breeze to make. Put that on top with some whip cream and you’re good to go. It might not taste exactly like Ted’s Bakery, but hey, it is good enough. 🙂
Guava and Lilikoi Juice
Did you know that you can find Guava juice at your local grocery store? It isn’t Hawaiian Sun brand–and it doesn’t really taste like Hawaiian Sun brand–but it’s guava and it’s good enough. I’ve also found Welch’s Passion Fruit drink, which tastes like heaven! (Disclaimer: My local grocery store is different from yours so it’s totally dependent on the location and availability! I wish you luck in finding tropical juice at your store though!).
Mochi
If you can find a box of mochi powder at your local supermarket, take advantage of it. There are numerous recipes online that will satisfy your mochi cravings. Chi chi dango can be made in the microwave while coconut mochi could be baked in the oven. If you’re ambitious like me, you might even try making mochi ice cream during the summer!
Cocoa Rice
This is super easy to make, and it tastes just like camping trips at the beach. Remember when all your family was there and they made cocoa rice cause it fed the army? There are some really great recipes online if you never learned how to make this warm island dessert from your kupuna. Can you smell the cocoa rice, coupled with the salty sea mist? Ono. 🙂
Tapioca Pudding
Mom makes cold tapioca pudding, kind of like halo-halo. Make the tapioca, add a can of coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, a can of fruit cocktail, a can of mandarin oranges, and, if you’re lucky like me, a can of lychee will do just the trick!
King’s Hawaiian Sweet Bread
Most stores carry this, but you’re probably going to have to pay the price for it. I can say, however, that it is worth it to buy, especially if you’re craving it. I can’t count how many times I walked past it in the store and thought to myself, Come on Lei, just get it. So just reward yourself sometimes! King’s Hawaiian Sweet bread never disappoints and tastes just like home!
Pani Popo
I absolutely love pani popo. When I lived in the Philippines, I’d take advantage of making this, because it was so easy to make and tasted just like home. Also, if you’re not into making rolls (like me), then you can buy rolls ready-to-make (in the freezer section) or use sweet rolls (King’s Hawaiian can even work for this but if you’re like me, you’d rather save that to eat by itself).
Fruit
If you’re absolutely dying for the sweet island flavor, then just buy some tropical fruit. I’ve found it so helpful (emotionally, mentally, and physically) to reward myself with some local fruits. They’re probably going to be expensive, which is why I call it a reward, but you should treat yourself to a mango here and there, or, if you’re ambitious, a pineapple. If you don’t have either of those things at your local supermarket, then try sprinkling some li hing mui on your apples or oranges. That always brings the taste of home back.
Dried Tropical Fruit
Dried mango is one of my favorites, especially because there’s usually an option for this anywhere you go.
Bananas
If you have some bananas, there are numerous ways to prepare them and satisfy cravings. If you’re Hawaiian, banana bread tastes so much like family. If you’re Filipino, make some banana lumpia (although you might have a tad bit of difficulty finding the wraps). If you’re Samoan, make suafa’i by boiling them, adding some tapioca and coconut milk, and sticking it in the oven (I LOVED when my mom made this–can you taste it now? Mmmmm). And if you just want to feel like a surfer, then make some banana pancakes and sing Jack Johnson’s “Banana Pancakes.”
Don’t get discouraged if you want Hawaiian desserts but moved away from Hawaii 🙂
There are so many delicious local foods you can make while on the mainland. I know that when I first moved, I felt like I had access to nothing. But, as I learned where to look (besides the Asian aisle–did you know they have coconut milk in the baking aisle?) and to keep an eye out for local goods, I’ve really enjoyed experimenting and learning to make the foods my mom used to make. Sure we might not have bubble tea, although I will say my sister ordered some of those items from Amazon and mastered it–so it is possible!–but we still can satisfy our inner local cravings using the goods we got!
Let’s hear from you!
Is there a snack or dessert that satisfies your sweet tooth craving? Is there a recipe you tried that really worked for you? Share in the comments below!
Hawaii locals are a unique bunch of people. Hawaii locals come from all kinds of backgrounds and ethnicity, not just Hawaiian. I grew up in Hawaii, and my parents are both Hawaiian, so the culture, customs, and etiquette of Hawaii were a part of my everyday life. I actually lived in the mainland until nine years of age, but my parents, Hawaii locals themselves, raised us in the way they’d been raised: we took our shoes off when entering the house, waited politely for the host to eat before digging in, shared food (or didn’t share food if we didn’t have enough for everyone), and so forth.
When we finally moved back to Hawaii, I learned even more from the locals themselves: how to go with the flow, not to stress too much over outward appearances, to be clean, generous, and more. Since moving back to the mainland, I thought it’d be fun to write a list of the funny things Hawaii locals do, as a result of growing up and/or living in the islands.
This article was written for my retired blog but I thought it’d be fun to re-use it here! I hope you enjoy this list and that something here makes you smile!
We wash our hair everyday
And I might just add that we shower everyday too. Since experiencing winters and dry environments in the mainland, I understand why people don’t wash their hair everyday. But growing up in Hawaii, it was a must to wash your hair every. single. day. It was a necessity and maybe just a natural part of growing up on a humid, wet island.
We wash our dishes by hand
When I moved into an apartment in Utah, I was shocked that my roommates used the dishwasher to wash a few mere dishes. Why not just do it by hand if you only have a few plates and cups? When my family did have a dishwasher in our home, I don’t remember using it much. If we did use it, it was usually for after big family events or when we had lots of guests over.
We wait for the hostess to eat before digging in
Not all locals do this, but I know this is something I’ve learned growing up. You don’t dig into the food until the wife of the head of house takes a bite. This might be something passed down from my Chinese heritage, but I remember this one incident where I went to a party and an aunty got mad at some girls for digging in before she, the hostess, had even gotten food and sat down herself. Yikes! Just a tip for the mainlanders… if you go to a local person’s house for dinner, do yourself a favor and wait til the hostess sits down and eats. I know she’ll say, “Eat, eat, eat!” but use your discernment. I always wait out of respect because the host deserves to eat too!
We take our slippers/shoes off at the door
I can’t even explain how weird it feels to wear shoes in a house, especially when the house has carpet….
We wear slippers and socks TOGETHER
And speaking of slippers, why not keep your socks on when you wear them? Sure you might have to make your socks look like tabis, but who cares? Slippers and socks are a comfy combination.
We always offer food to visitors
“Are you hungry? No? I’ll make you something…” Locals love food, and it’s shame if we can’t offer you something, even if it’s a glass of juice. If you drop in unexpectedly, we’ll still ask you if you’re interested in eating something. We don’t care if you might be standing at the door and ready to leave. We just love food, and we have to offer some, just in case. Nobody leaves our home hungry.
We won’t eat something in front of you if we don’t have enough to share
And, speaking of food, if we’ve brought a snack of some sort and you’re with us, we’ll only bring it out if we have enough to share. It’s really rude to eat something in front of another person and not offer. This includes if we’re in big groups. We’ll only buss out the snacks if we know everyone can get a piece. Otherwise, we’ll save our snack and eat it privately later.
We will pack up leftover food for you to take home
Whether it’s a party, a family dinner, or just stopping by, don’t be surprised when we buss out the ziploc bags to package things to go, or just give you the rest of the food. Just take it. We won’t be satisfied unless you do.
We appreciate food by making noises
And I don’t mean body noises, but I mean “Mmmmmmm…” We love complimenting and appreciating food with words and noises of affirmation like “Mmm…” and “Yum…” and “Ohhhh this is SO ono.” Some locals even dance a little when they eat–not dramatically though, just swaying back and forth–but we like to show our appreciation with noises of approval. Get used to it cause we love food. 🙂
We flash our headlights to warn other cars of cops up ahead
It’s an unspoken rule (but I guess it is spoken cause I just wrote about it), but on highways or going down busier streets in Hawaii, if someone coming towards you flashes their highlights once at you, it’s not a cause to get mad. In fact, locals are so grateful when this happens, because it means there’s a cop up ahead. Not that we’re speeders, but it’s just us being good neighbors. I’ve never experienced this on the mainland. I did it once and wondered to myself if the oncoming driver knew what that meant. And, tbh, there might be a lot of reasons people might not do it on the mainland, but Hawaii is small enough that we can keep other cars on the lookout.
We wave a lot when we’re driving
We are so used to sticking our hands out the window and throwing shakas, or waving just to anyone from behind the wheel (whether it’s an incoming car or a pedestrian crossing in front). I always feel weird when I wave to a pedestrian and they look at me like I’m crazy… but hey, gotta keep the aloha spirit alive. And it’s the best when they smile and wave back. 🙂
It’s so fun to be from Hawaii
There are probably more things that you thought of as you read this. While these differences in lifestyles aren’t bad things, they’re funny to think about. To be honest, locals will adapt to the lifestyle of wherever they live. Just don’t be surprised if any of these things pop around once in a while. Is there something you thought of that Hawaii locals do differently from mainlanders or other cultures/lifestyles?
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”
