People have been asking for the Hawaiian values I was talking about so this is my attempt but they are hard to explain in English. Okay so while these aren’t all Hawaiian values these were the ones I felt like I knew the most and could describe the best. Most of these definitions I found online, I just added the background info and a little bit to the definitions.
Background info: Hawaiians have a very strong symbiotic relationship with the land (‘āina). Our creation legend is actually very similar to the beginning of the greeks. First there was chaos (I believe the name was Po?) and then came Papa and Wakea, the Earth and the Sky. Papa gave birth to the islands and the Stars. The Stars and the Sky have a child, but the child is a stillborn. They bury the child and with the mothers tears the first kalo plant grows (taro). The second child is Haloa aka man. So the reason we have these values and such is because there is this familial connection to the world around us. We take care of the ‘āina and it will provide for us. This symbiosis is the key to why these moral values mean so much. Like reason we value these things is basically because we owe the earth, our family, our ancestors, the plants, the animals, the ocean, the sky, we owe all of them for our existence and when you follow these values you are honoring them and all they have done for you. The english translations don’t really hold that same weight, they are just words, they don’t have the generations of meaning behind them.
ALOHA—
Aloha is a value, one of unconditional love. Aloha is the outpouring and receiving of the spirit.
This is so important, like it is so prevalent in Hawaii. I have never experienced a community be more loving.
HO‘OHANA—
The value of work: To work with intent and with purpose.
As in, don’t be lazy or half ass something for that won’t produce good products.
HO‘OMAU—
The value of perseverance. To persist, to continue, to perpetuate. Never give up.
HO‘OKIPA—
The value of hospitality, a hospitality of complete giving. Welcome guests and strangers with your spirit of Aloha.
We treat most people like family unless they have proven themselves to be rude or undeserving, that’s why tourism starting in Hawaii actually.
‘OHANA—
Those who are family, and those you choose to call your family. As a value, ‘Ohana is a human circle of complete Aloha.
Family doesn’t mean blood here. Like if someone has disrespected you and doesn’t act pono you don’t have to keep calling them family, however we give a lot of second chances. And almost all family friends are just family. Like I might not be related to them, but they are still family.
LŌKAHI—
The value of teamwork: Collaboration and cooperation. Harmony and unity. People who work together can achieve more.
KĀKOU—
The value of communication, for “All of us.” We are in this together.
Learn to speak the language of we.
Basically the hawaiian version of “we’re all in this together”
KULEANA—
One’s personal sense of responsibility. “I accept my responsibilities, and I will be held accountable.”
This one is super important. When someone says that something is your kuleana it means that this is very important. For example it is our kuleana to pick up litter. If we don’t then the land will suffer. However by just saying kuleana that second sentence is implied.
‘IKE LOA—
The value of learning. To know well. To seek knowledge and wisdom.
HA‘AHA‘A—
The value of humility. Be humble, be modest, and open your thoughts.
HO‘OHANOHANO—
To honor the dignity of others. Conduct yourself with distinction, and cultivate respectfulness.
This is why we call people older than us Aunty and Uncle, why we call our elders Tutu. Why you always bring food to someones house and offer to clean up.
MĀLAMA—
The value of stewardship. To take care of. To serve and to honor, to protect and care for.
MAHALO—
“Thank you”, as a way of living. Live in thankfulness for the richness that makes life so precious.
Granted we don’t say this as a moral value as much as the others, but it is still important. Like saying please is important, but if you don’t say thank you you are in huge trouble because you aren’t respecting those around you.
PONO—
The value of integrity, of rightness and balance. The feeling of contentment when all is good and all is right.
I don’t really like the way they defined this, it is so much more than that, but this one there really is no proper english equivalence. It’s like doing the right thing because it is right, because this is what is expected of you as a Hawaiian. I have a really hard time explaining it. To be pono is to do the right thing. but it’s more than that. it’s like with kuleana, you are pono because you do your kuleana. because to be pono is to respect all those who came before you and all those who come after you. If an aunty tells you that you aren’t being pono that stops most people in their tracks. it just holds so much meaning and I really can’t explain it better.
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