Iesu pū. This is the Hawaiian phrase meaning, “Jesus be with you.” How can we live so Jesus Christ is with us, and his light and love shines through us? As we invite Jesus Christ into our lives, we can have peace. Everything works out, because of Him. With Iesu pū, we remember Christ in all we do. We bless our lives and others through devoted discipleship.
“Iesu pū” was more commonly used by the islanders of Ni’ihau, according to one kumu, but we can each use it today.
To better understand Iesu pū, it’s important to look back at the history of Hawaii. When did Christian missionaries first come? And why? What inspired missionaries to travel all the way to Hawaii to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ? And how did Christianity influence the people of Hawaii?
The Introduction of Christianity in Hawaii
The ancient Hawaiians practiced a polytheistic religion, where gods and goddesses, as well as a strict kapu system, dictated everyday life. In 1820, however, Protestant missionaries arrived and brought the light of Jesus Christ. Not only did they bring the joy of the Gospel, but they were instrumental in teaching English and creating a written Hawaiian language. Many Hawaiians converted to Christianity, and the phrase “Iesu pū” was born.
Image from Wikipedia
A young man named Henry Opukahaia, the first Hawaiian Christian, is to be thanked for inspiring missionaries to travel to Hawaii.
Henry Opukahaia’s story
I personally find Henry’s story incredibly inspiring. His an example of how Jesus Christ can bring peace to our lives. From Henry’s memoir, I learned that Henry lived during a time of tribal warfare. A kumu (teacher) in the past said that this warfare was due to King Kamehameha the Great (the first) conquering the islands.
When Henry’s village lost the battle against the warring tribe, Henry, his parents, and infant brother, fled to safety. They hid in a cave for several days, and finally left to obtain water. The enemy ambushed them at the river.
Henry, only ten at the time, witnessed his parents murder, their bodies mutilated by the bayonets of the enemy. Henry placed his infant brother—not older than two or three months old—on his back and fled. He was pursued and a spear struck his brother, killing him. Henry was captured and forced to live with the family of the man who killed his parents.
Later, he crossed paths with his uncle, a kahuna (priest), who took Henry in and began raising and teaching him in the ways of a kahuna. Henry notes in his memoir that he had no desire to become a priest. The words of his memoir reflect how traumatized Henry was from his experiences. Henry stated that he had no desire to stay in Hawaii and felt deeply lonely, saying that he pitied himself as an orphan and missed his parents.
God doesn’t forget His children
God certainly had a plan for Henry. In one incidence, he and his aunt—someone he must have felt was his last family, besides his uncle—were captured by another warring tribe. They were locked in a cellar and Henry found a hole to escape. But he, again, witnessed the death of his aunt as the enemy threw her over the edge of a cliff. In a moment of desperation—possibly one of Henry’s lowest moments, he ran to the cliff to join her in death. But he was caught and his life continued.
At the age of sixteen, he swam out and boarded a ship in Hilo bay. He spent the night aboard speaking to the captain, wanting to leave with the ship. Henry said the captain was one of the kindest people he met. His uncle wouldn’t let Henry leave Hawaii, but Henry’s persistence—including swimming out to the ship the following day—won him his freedom. Henry joined the trading ship and eventually ended up in Connecticut.
Henry had no desire to return to Hawaii, even when presented with the offer. But he had a deep hunger to learn, and many noted how bright and intelligent he seemed, despite his inability to speak English yet. A scholar at Yale noticed Henry crying on the steps of one of the university buildings and asked what was wrong. Henry said that nobody would teach him English, and this scholar took Henry under his own wings, teaching him English.
Henry finds the light of Jesus Christ
Through a series of events—including crossing paths with many intelligent and religious people—Henry learned about God, heaven, and hell. He worried about his eternal salvation and would ask many people what to do to be saved. That was when the light of Christ entered Henry’s life.
After he learned about Jesus Christ through a Protestant leader, Henry deeply desired to return to Hawaii and spread the Gospel. He attended a missionary school and was admired by many of his teachers and fellow scholars. Henry translated the book of Genesis into Hawaiian, and wrote his memoir. At the young age of 26, however, Opukahaia caught an illness and passed away, never returning to Hawaii again.
He was buried in Connecticut, and the story could have ended there. But Opukahaia’s influence and love for Christ had impacted his fellow scholars and people around him. His memoir was published in a pamphlet and distributed to thousands of people across the United States. People were deeply moved by Henry’s story and especially his love for the Savior, the love that brought peace to a soul so pained and depressed from a life of hardships and trauma.
While many missionaries hadn’t gone abroad (as Hawaii was not a part of the United States at the time), Opukahaia’s memoir inspired people to travel across the ocean to preach the Gospel.
When missionaries arrived in Hawaii in 1820, the people were ready to hear about Jesus Christ. The centuries old kapu system had ended, due to King Kamehameha II (King Liholiho) and Queen Ka’ahumanu (the wife of King Kamehameha I). The people found themselves void of any religion and were ready to hear the word of God.
What we can learn from Henry Opukahaia
Iesu pu. Jesus Christ changed Henry’s life forever. His journey to finding the Savior shows us that God is mindful of all of us. Opukahaia had such a difficult life, yet found hope and peace, the greatest blessings he could have, before his early death. The love of Christ inspired Henry, who never wanted to return to Hawaii, to want to share the peace and hope he found with other Hawaiians.
We also learn that when we are devoted to Christ, we can inspire others to share their faith. Henry’s memoirs, distributed after his death, were pivotal to push Christian missions across the Pacific Ocean to Hawaii. If not for Opukahaia, it may have been a while before Christian missionaries came to Hawaii.
God knows what He is doing, and we can trust that He is mindful of us too. He provides a way for us to find the healing power of Jesus Christ, even when we don’t believe or are aware of it. Opukahaia truly had the love and light of Jesus Christ with him, and his example can inspire us to live “Iesu pu.”
Please feel free to share this as much as you’d like on social media or other forms of communication! 🙂
Jesus Christ is the reason for the season
I’m writing this article in the month of December, a time we celebrate Christmas. The birth of Jesus Christ is the reason for the season. It’s crazy how far our world has come from celebrating our Savior.
Instead of “Christmas,” many opt to saying X-mas. Instead of saying “Merry Christmas,” some people opt to say “Happy Holidays.” It’s really sad that the reason for the joyous season is being erased and silenced. Remember that Lucifer was disguised as an “angel of light.” Let’s not be deceived by the world, telling us to silence the true reason for our happiness and peace.
When we think of “Iesu pu,” it’s about having Jesus Christ with us always, including remembering Him always. And especially during a season that people get caught up in the “holiday rush,” it’s even more important to seek Him in all we do.
The Christmas spirit is also all about believing. It’s a wonderful time to reflect on the year and choose to believe that there’s good in the world like hope, love, compassion, forgiveness, and a chance to start new. All of it is possible because of Jesus Christ. Remember that with Jesus Christ, we can do all things (Philippians 4:13).
Watch “The Christ Child” to “Iesu pu” and get into the true Christmas spirit:
Jesus Christ makes us new
We don’t have to be the same person for the rest of our lives. We can start new.
With Jesus Christ, peace replaces guilt. Happiness replaces sorrow. Forgiveness replaces hurt.
When we live “Iesu pu,” we can become new creatures. There are so many examples–both in scripture and modern day–of people who changed their lives because of Jesus Christ. Even in today’s time we can find strong disciples of Jesus Christ.
Jonathon Isaac is an example of someone who is standing up for Jesus Christ. His faith in the Lord is easy to see, and it’s inspiring. None of us are ever too rich, poor, famous, or anything to share our love and testimony of Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ gives us reason to hope
Image from Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Have you ever hit a low point where you wonder what’s the point of anything? What’s the point of trying–in relationships, creative endeavors, life in general, etc?
Do we really have some purpose here? Does anything matter?
The answer is yes, and it’s because of Jesus Christ. Because of Him we have reason to hope.
It seems like every time we, as humans, hit hard and challenging times we may think it’s a punishment, or that we’re unworthy. We might think that everything is against us. But that’s simply not true.
Because of Jesus Christ, we know that there’s a way to feel peace in any of life’s storms. His atoning sacrifice makes it possible for us to repent and change our path. He also felt everything that we felt, so we can take comfort that even if nobody else understands, he understands completely and perfectly.
Hope also stems from knowing that we’re not alone. Discipleship and living faithfully isn’t easy. But it’s worth it. With Jesus Christ, we know we’re never alone.
Christ even tells to “be of good cheer.” Our Savior has already overcome the world, so let’s have faith in and trust that we can find peace and happiness in Him.
Check out this inspirational video about how Jesus Christ can help us:
Jesus is the light of the world
He ko’u kukui i ka Haku – The Lord is my light.
If you feel like you’re in a dark place, you can always turn to the Savior of the world. He is the light of the world. He is our light.
With “Iesu pu,” we can always have light, hope, and peace, even in our darkest moments.
Learning to believe again
Through this blog, social media, and my books, I’ve been humbled by the people who reach out saying that they’re grateful for the exploration of the Hawaiian culture while incorporating Christian values.
Of course there have also been those who told me that my work is “too religious” and that the Christian viewpoints are “too much.”
But for us Christians, we should never get discouraged. We should keep believing, and keep having faith because Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the light. When His light and goodness fill our lives, it doesn’t matter what other people say to or of us. It can still hurt when people say unkind things to us or try to question our faith. But we can feel confident that Jesus Christ understands and loves us, and that because of Him, anything is possible.
If you’ve lost your belief in Jesus Christ as your Savior, friend, help, and confidante, it’s never too late to turn back to Him. Nobody is ever too far or too lost to be found by Jesus Christ.
In Matthew 11, He tells us how we can come to him and find rest.
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest .
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart : and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light
For those of you who have reached out to me asking how to improve mental health, to find peace, to be happy again… Jesus Christ is the answer. Trust and have faith in Him, and, like Opukahaia and millions of other Christians, you can find the peace and hope you’re searching for.
A personal experience
My life has been blessed by wonderful Christians from various faiths. I’ve grown up in different places around the world, and I’m so grateful for the wonderful, faithful Christians I’ve met throughout life. The example that others have set for me, of praising and worshipping the Lord, have influenced me for good.
I’m also a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The gospel taught to me within the church has blessed my life forever. Jesus Christ truly is our hope. He gives us strength and peace in any life circumstance. My church community has taught and inspired me to live the Gospel faithfully. People of other faiths–my friends and acquaintances at school and in the community–have also played a role in strengthening my character to become more like Jesus Christ.
Recently I’ve been inspired by people who unapologetically share their faith. I make an effort to follow people who I admire on social media, and this usually results in people from different faiths. As the media works to erase Christianity, the acknowledgement of God, and religion, it can be disheartening for us Christians. It can also make it scary to post things on social media, for fear that others will unfollow or dislike it. However, when I see people praising the Lord through their work, I am in awe. We can all be better disciples by sharing our faith and testimony of the goodness of the Lord.
Iesu pu. May the light and love of Jesus Christ be with us and shine through us.
Though Hawaii and Hawaiians today come from many different beliefs and religions, the influence of Christianity on the Hawaiian people should be appreciated. Because of Christian missionaries, the Hawaiian people were able to have their language formally explored and written. With the Hawaiian language becoming more official, and the people turning to more western ways, the Hawaiians were able to set up their own government (a monarchy).
Many communities were built on shared religion and faith, including my own ancestors. On the North Shore of O’ahu live many members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. There’s a temple in Laie, Hawaii too. All of this was possible because of those who took the first step in coming to Hawaii, and the man (Henry Opukahaia) who inspired that.
I hope that by learning more about the history of Christianity in Hawaii, exploring Henry Opukahaia’s story, and reflecting on who Jesus Christ is, we can each devote ourselves to Him once more. Let’s be better disciples and followers of the Savior. “Iesu pu.” May Jesus be with you, and with each of us.
Did you like the exploration of this phrase “Iesu pu”? How has Jesus Christ influenced your life? Let us know in the comments below. We’d love to hear your mana’o. 🙂
“Noho” is the Hawaiian word meaning to “sit, be, act, or live.” It also literally means a chair… so where am I going with this value? I want to explore how the concept of “noho” can help us in our lives. A lot of people don’t know why they’re here, where they’re going, or how to grow and move on from the past. We live in a world where we’re constantly bombarded by distractions, from our phones and social media to work and the mundane of life. It’s easy to get caught up in a mindless routine or to feel that we have a purpose in one thing because it’s serving or benefiting others.
Yet there are too many people breaking down and having quarter life, midlife, or other life crises because they don’t know their purpose. Maybe they did, especially when they were children, but as they grew older, they lost a sense of wonder, creativity, and excitement for life.
Let’s face it. Life is hard. It wasn’t meant to be easy because we’re here to be tested, to prove to God that we’re ready and willing to make the sacrifices necessary to get back to Him. But we have to sacrifice laziness, apathy, discouragement, and other bad habits to become, to be present, and to be mindful. God has given us all the tools we need to succeed, but it’s up to us to take advantage of those tools or not.
Noho is a state of being
Some common ways to use the word noho is to attach another word to it, like “hau’oli.” Hau’oli means “happy” in Hawaiian so “noho hau’oli” means to “live happily.” Noho olu’olu means to live comfortably. Noho malie means to keep quiet or remain still. When I wanted to open an Etsy shop years ago, I actually wanted to call the shop “Noho Pono,” meaning to be in a state or position of goodness and righteousness. However, in a more literal sense, “noho pono” could also mean to sit nicely or correctly haha. “E noho pono” is the sort of thing a mother might say to a child who is sitting sloppily or inappropriately.
For the purpose of this article, I want to explore how noho can be used as a state of being in an attitude, literal place, or mindset. There’s a reason I called my debut novel “Aloha State of Mind.” It’s a mindset, a constant choice we make, instead of something that comes and goes after a trip to Hawaii. “Noho” reminds us to choose what we make of this life and who we want to be. As we dive into the meaning of this word, I encourage you to think about your state of mind.
Are you present, mindful, and in a state of “being” or “becoming” something?
To Be or Not to Be
A family member recently sent a picture of Hamlet holding a skull and it took me back to my high school and college days of analyzing Hamlet’s famous soliloquy. When Hamlet says “to be or not to be” he is at the absolute lowest point in his life. Unfortunately, Hamlet feels so low, he has contemplated suicide and wonders if there’s a purpose to all the things he’s dealt with (his father’s murder, his mother getting remarried, his uncle becoming king, etc). Is life worth it? he asks. If we’re all going to die and return to the dust, as the skull, what is the point of living? Does life have meaning?
The play answers some of these questions, and leaves the rest for us to decide. Is life worth it? The answer is a resounding YES! The answer is “TO BE.” Life is a gift, a time to be present, to live, to feel, and to be. It doesn’t mean that life is going to be easy. Hardships are a part of the plan, and if we can look at challenges in a healthier way, it’ll help us persevere, no matter what.
“Noho” is “to be, to live.” Another Hawaiian word, which is also commonly used for living, is “‘ola.” We use this word a lot to mean “life.” But it can also simply mean “to exist.”
With noho we choose “to be” instead of “to exist.” Instead of existing and letting the world make choices for us, we choose who we want to be. Nobody can force us to do anything, or to feel anything, including sadness, happiness, anger, and so forth.
“You Choose to Be Upset”
When I would get annoyed as a young girl, my dad said, “You choose to be upset.” It was annoying to hear at the time, but I knew he was right. Nobody forced me to get mad or irritated. Nobody could turn a switch on in my body and I had absolutely no choice but to be mad.
We always have a choice. That’s the beauty of this life. Are we going to choose “to be” what we want, and who God wants us to be? Or are we simply going to “exist,” and let life push us here and there?
I read a quote recently that said something along the lines of: The way we came into this world is less important than the way we will leave it.
Isn’t that true? While it’s easy to blame our circumstances on parents, family, socio-economic status, education, and more, it doesn’t really matter how we came into the world or what happens in the world around us. What matters is who we are when we leave. Are we becoming the people we want to be?
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We are forgetting who we are
“Noho” also reminds us that the purpose of life IS to live. It’s not just to do ONE thing our whole lives, go through the motions, and/or stop growing/progressing. It’s easy to get wrapped up in the routine of our lives.
Fathers can lose touch with a sense of wonder and creativity as they focus solely on working and providing for a family. A mother can feel like she lacks identity as she focuses only on nurturing and raising children. College and high school students feel a sense of worthlessness if they can’t keep up a certain image or grade. Employees and bosses fall into the trap of becoming workaholics because they don’t know what else to do with their time or attention. So how does a person live out their purpose, while living the value of noho, being and becoming?
I spoke recently with a friend of an 18-month old child. She said she was exhausted—she loved her child, but she also didn’t feel purposeful. Her entire life revolved around taking care of that child, which led her to a sort of quarter-life crisis. There’s nothing wrong with motherhood, homemaking, and nurturing children, but we all need balance.
Each of us are still humans, with the need to create, to do something that brings the “spark” in our lives. Whether that’s spending time with other people, doing a creative project, or making time for a hobby that brings joy.
Unfortunately, a lot of people forget what they liked to do because they’ve become so used to having one purpose.
We all need a purpose and a spark
In the Disney movie, Soul, it explores the purpose of life, vs the spark in life. This was not my favorite movie, but I loved the concept of purpose and spark. We need both components in life to be, not just to exist. We have to know that our purpose is to LIVE, first of all. AND we all need that thing (or a few things) that spark joy. That spark could be a hobby, spending time with family, a creative endeavor, a project, a lifelong dream… it could be anything. But we all need both.
With noho, instead of simply existing, we live with purpose and do the things that ignite us. That “spark” touches not only us, but the lives of those around us too. What a blessing it is to live with purpose and use our God-given gifts, talents, and “spark” to light the world!
If you want a more specific article on how to find something that you truly love and enjoy doing, check out this article I wrote on mine and my husband’s shared blog, Kanani Life:
Sometimes, when we have a hard time finding our purpose and spark, it’s because we’ve lost a sense of belonging. Discovering purpose and belonging is the point of my second self help book, You Belong: Conversations on Color, Culture, & Christianity. Read my book here: Amazon or other online stores.
Noho isn’t about just “sitting around”
Stillness is incredibly important. We live in a world inundated with noise and distractions. Our phones constantly buzz with notifications, and we’ve become almost enslaved to them. We need quiet time. Yet despite the way many of us complain about work, quiet quit, or go from one job to the next, we’re meant to work.
Hard work gives us a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment. It proves to us that we can provide for ourselves, which gives us confidence. Work can also provide purpose for some of us (though it shouldn’t be our entire purpose, as we’ve already discussed). So while it’s good to rest, as even God rested on the seventh day of creation, it’s also good to understand that work is part of life.
In the book of Genesis in the Holy Bible, when Adam and Eve were cast out from the garden of Eden, God told them that “by the sweat of they brow shalt thou eat bread all the days of they life.”
By the sweat of thy brows = work
All the days of thy life = work doesn’t end
Life isn’t easy for anyone, and we all have to work to some degree for our health, happiness, and security. It’s easy to think that once we hit retirement, there will be some magical button that makes us feel good or that we can finally rest. But we’re not meant to rest forever. Even God rested for one out of seven days.
A personal experience with noho
From personal experience, my husband and I have talked about how what we’re doing now are some of the things we want to do forever. I love writing, and I’m not planning to stop once I hit a certain age or a certain goal. I love learning and improving my craft, and then sharing my work with others (purpose + spark).
Likewise, my husband doesn’t want to stop learning once he builds a really cool thing or hits x-amount of subscribers on YouTube. His example of going for it in creative builds and projects has inspired others and fills him with a creative zest for life (again, purpose + spark). We should never stop learning, progressing, and growing. It’s what makes life interesting and fun.
At his current job, my husband actually works with a lot of men who have retired but returned to work because sitting around wasn’t working for them. We’re not meant to REST all the time.
Using noho in the Hawaiian language
Noho does mean chair. If you said something like “Aia ka noho i ka lumi kuke,” you’re saying “the chair is in the kitchen.” Noho really is a CHAIR.
But if you say “E noho aloha,” you’re saying to “be or live in a state of aloha” (“Noho aloha” basically means “aloha state of mind” haha). So while noho does literally mean a place to sit and rest, it also means a place of being and thinking.
Let’s not sit and rest forever, but understand that work is a part of life. We’re meant to keep being and becoming, not just to sit stagnant.
In Conclusion
Noho is a wonderful way to pause and look at who we are now, and where we’re going. It also helps us appreciate how far we’ve come. All of our journeys are different and wonderful. But if we can “be” present and mindful of where we are now, it will make all the difference for our lives and those around us.
I hope you can find joy as you contemplate this Hawaiian word and apply it into your life. It’s so important to look at hardships, work, and other facets of life in a healthier way, an aloha way.
E noho aloha!
✨ Sincerely,
Lei
P.S. If you’re looking for a social media place with good vibes, I’d love for you to follow on instagram or Pinterest. I share positive and Hawaii-related content in these spaces! 🌺
What do you think of noho?
In the comments below, I’d love to hear your thoughts on this concept. What does noho mean to you? What difference would it make in your life if you applied the concept of noho?
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? 😉
Kuleana is the Hawaiian word meaning “responsibility.” Kuleana encourages to be accountable for all that we do. It is the “ability to respond” to whatever is happening.
Those who live the value of kuleana know that their happiness is dependent on what happens inside of them, not outside. They choose how they react to circumstances, not let the circumstances determine how they feel.
When we live with kuleana, we do our part to take care of ourselves, our communities, and the environment.
Kuleana means we all have a responsibility
I went to a high school summer program called Na Pua No’eau, and learned how to sail the wa’a, the Hawaiian canoe. The theme of this program was “He Kuleana Ko Kakou,” meaning that “We all have a responsibility.”
They taught us how we have a responsibility to become our best selves—in order to better society—to develop our creative abilities, to preserve our heritage and culture, and to take care of the earth.
Each day our group leaders reminded us of the theme, and it’s stuck with me ever since. Every person has something to contribute for the betterment of society, for taking care of the earth, and even for preserving heritage.
When we look at our kuleana in the facets of our life, we might see that there’s a lot of work to be done.
Kuleana is a strength
Some people think that self help/improvement is for the weak… when, truly, it is for everyone. We ALL can improve. It is our kuleana. Some people think that since somebody else is doing the business, creative project, volunteer work, or service they like, there’s not enough room for them. But there is an abundance of resources and audiences for everyone. We EACH have a contribution to make to this world. Kuleana is recognizing that it’s truly up to YOU whether you succeed or not. Kuleana is taking responsibility to improve ourselves so we can reach our goals and live up to our divine potential.
Here are some of the responsibilities we have:
We have a kuleana to God, through being pono and right. We take accountability and exercise faith by relying on his son, Jesus Christ.
We have a kuleana to others, through service, supporting important causes, and protecting the innocent.
We have a kuleana to ourselves, by becoming our best selves, improving, and giving ourselves credit.
We have a kuleana to take care of the earth.Malama ka ‘aina is one of Hawaii’s most used Hawaiian phrases. If we don’t take care of it, who will?
Does kuleana feel overwhelming? It might, for some. For those who are seeking daily improvement, however, this may feel familiar.
We ALL have the gift of agency, meaning that we can all create what we want from this life. But it’s our kuleana to use our agency for good.
What are some ways you can implement the value of kuleana in your life? Here are some suggestions.
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Kuleana helps us control what we can
I’m writing this article from my home as COVID-19 sweeps through the nation. It’s scared so many people, and left us feeling uncertain and scared. It’s made me feel pretty out of control… I miss my freedom of doing what I want when I want.
But this is where kuleana comes in. I have the ability to respond. And I choose to respond with optimism.
I’ve used this time to create new content and write my book.
Control what you can control, which is YOU, and let the rest go. That is the essence of kuleana.
Be accountable
Sometimes, in life, we just need someone to talk to and remind us of who we are and what we truly want. I find I take more responsibility for myself when I tell someone the things I’m doing.
My husband listens when I share insights, or process things that happened. When we talk to people and share our thoughts and aspirations, we become accountable.
We don’t go talking to just anyone though… find someone who you trust. If you struggle with trust, take it to God. In the end, we will all be accountable to him anyways.
Be kind to yourself
I used to get upset at myself when I couldn’t get everything done on my list. Kuleana is all about looking at the big picture, figuring out the most important things, and then taking responsibility to get the most important things done.
Too many people spend their lives being “busy,” but not really completing the most important things they wanted to do: spending time with family, serving more, creating something, etc.
Be kind to yourself when you fall short, but be willing to change and improve to do the things that matter most.
He kuleana ko kakou. We all have a responsibility. I hope you’ll take advantage of knowing that you are a part of the bigger picture. You matter. And you have the ability to respond in order to make your life better and happier!
With aloha and joy,
Leialoha
Let’s hear from you!
What is your kuleana in life? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
It is knowing that there is a God, whom we owe everything to. I heard someone once say that “It would be disrespectful to God if I were ungrateful.” Mahalo is recognizing + trusting in God, that his plan and ways are greater than our own. It is knowing that he, as the creator, has given us all these things and supports us, even from one breath to another.
When it rains, as it frequently does in Hawaii, our hearts are always full of gratitude. As the sun shines, we are grateful. When we go to the beach and swim, feel the warmth of the waves, and interact with the sea animals, our hearts are full of gratitude. When we go to the mountains and hear the birds sing, the wind whistle through the trees, and the lava flowing continuously, we are grateful.
Mahalo ke Akua. Thanks be to God.
Swimming in the middle of the ocean
When I was about 16 years old, I went to a summer program called Na Pua No’eau. There were different groups in this program but my group was especially meaningful to me, because I love the ocean. We learned how to man and sail the wa’a, the Hawaiian canoe. We learned the basics of reading the stars, how to tie the knots, and how to show respect to the canoe, the ocean, and to one another.
One day, we sailed out past Hilo bay. I was so excited for this, because we’d only stayed in the bay to practice sailing, and I knew it was nothing like being out in the great wide ocean.
As we broke free of the Hilo bay wall, the ocean loomed for miles: deep, blue, wise. We sailed quite a ways, the view of Hilo bayfront looking like a postcard in the distance.
Our captain let us take a jump in the water, which we willingly did to cool off. As I floated in the middle of the ocean, knowing the water went down for miles below me and around me, I realized how tiny I was. What mother Teresa said was true, that we are just “a drop in the ocean.”
Who knew what creatures lurked in the water beneath me, or how deep it went? The water was an intense dark blue, and when I turned my body to look out at the horizon, it stretched on forever.
I felt so vulnerable. So small. My body totally exposed in this sea of unknown, my legs dangling into the unknown. It was terrifying. And, yet… so humbling.
Even though I was this tiny human being—that was so fragile physically and emotionally, that could be swallowed up in this deep blue by the water or by some creature, that I was just one person in a world of billions of people—I still mattered.
The Great Paradox
That is the great paradox… that even though we are “nothing” in comparison to the grandeur and glory of all God’s creations, we are still everything to him. We are still his greatest and grandest creation.
This perspective changed my life. God has given us everything, and yet we are nothing. God loves us with all he has, and yet we only give him back a portion of our thanks and gratitude.
To complete the quote by Mother Teresa, she said: “We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.”
We all matter. And, most importantly, we matter to God. Of all the things he’s given us, our time and life here is a precious gift.
We are each a part of the picture.
We all have a contribution to make.
We’re all needed.
Knowing this changed my heart. Mahalo ke Akua. Thanks be to God for all the life he gives us—the world around us, people, and even the magnificence of our own bodies. When we realize how tiny and seemingly insignificant we are in the world, we learn the value of mahalo.
Here are some other ways to live mahalo.
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Go out in nature
Nature is one of the world’s greatest teachers. There is no rebellion in the spirit of nature and animals. As a young adult returning to the Big Island, I used to swim laps at my favorite beach every morning, sometimes passing turtles.
The turtles taught me many valuable lessons… not that they did anything special, but their spirits were special. Their behavior, their grace, their patience taught me things I needed to do and change in my life.
Let the stars, the trees, the moon, the animals, and the sun—let nature—teach you.
Have an attitude of gratitude
It’s so easy to look at your life and see the things you lack. If someone else has a product or “thing” then we seem to immediately want that. We grow sad when we can’t get the things we want, when, really, we should be looking at what we do have.
One of the best things I’ve done for myself, especially growing up in poverty and experiencing abuse, was to look at the things I did have: I didn’t have money or control over my family situation, but I had creativity, a good brain, and the value of ho’ohana, doing meaningful work. I was so grateful for those things I had—though not physical “things.” This attitude of gratitude helped me get out of my darkest times.
Encourage selflessness in your life
I watched a video once that said ingratitude is a result of selfishness: We think we deserve more. We think we’re better than others. We think others don’t deserve what they have.
What if, instead of thinking only of ourselves, we thought more of others?
How can I serve them?
How can I be happy for them?
When we focus on service, our lives become more joyful. Serving helps us be grateful for the things we do have: our knowledge, our life, our people.
Mahalo ke Akua – Thanks be to God
Saying a prayer of thanks, and then showing our appreciation to God through our actions are powerful ways to live mahalo. Thanks be to God for the wonderful opportunity we have to live each day.
I know sometimes it’s hard to find something to be grateful for. Sometimes we think we have to dig deep to find gratitude. But it can become habitual, and the more grateful we are, the more blessings and miracles we see.
I created this Mahalo ke Akua gratitude journal to inspire you to write and reflect daily on the things you’re grateful for. With practice, this book can blossom your gratitude into a beautiful habit, a habit that no longer requires a book to record!
Mahalo for being here!
There are so many ways to implement the value of mahalo in your life. I’m sure if you’ve visited Hawaii, it feels good when people tell you mahalo. You feel appreciated. You feel seen.
Let’s give our thanks to God by living an attitude of gratitude for ourselves and all around us. We can do this!
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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