I saw this motto on a calendar with photographs of beautiful lei hulu (feather leis) hanging on the wall in the home of dear friends in Hawaii this past December. My friends were fellow haumana (students) of Papa Henry Auwae, the master herbalist and Native Hawaiian healer. 

 

The word "aloha" has many meanings beyond hello, goodbye and love.  It also means sweetheart, lover, loved one, beloved; compassion, mercy, sympathy, kindness, grace, charity; and more actively, to show kindness, mercy, charity and affection.

 

Aloha can best happen with an open heart. I noticed my heart opening when I was home this time.

 

My friends shared aloha with me by sheltering me in their home and helping to heal a bad head cold that I had.  They were my first stop after landing late one night on the Big Island, at the end of a long flight from Chicago.  I was initially going to stay with them one night, but because of my cold, I stayed three nights to fully recuperate. 

 

Their home, on the dry side of the island, is off of the Kawaihae Road which goes down to the ocean.  Papa Henry blessed the land where they built their house.  In the early morning, I walked outside to be surrounded by the elements, feel the place and ground myself on the 'aina(land).  Then I looked at the four great mountains surrounding the place and offered greetings.  I always look first for Mauna Kea - the slopes that I am most familiar with - then Mauna Loa, Hualalai and, finally, the Kohala Mountain with its beautiful pu'u (smaller hills).  The home sits on the slope of the Kohalas. 

 

I felt that I was not in lokahi - balance of body, mind and spirit.  I had first to rest and slow waaay down and be mindful of where I was and what I was doing.  This was a pleasure to do - like diving into a silent meditation retreat or just taking the time to notice and appreciate the beauty all around.  I rested my mind by walking slowly, not talking, just listening, seeing the plants grow wild outside, feeling the gentle breeze on my cheek, and noticing the wide sky and the unevenness of the ground underfoot. 

 

Ahhh.....beautiful uhaloa plants with their hairy leaves and subtly fragrant yellow flowers showed themselves here and there by the house.  Uhaloa is helpful for sore throats and runny sinus conditions among other things.  It is also the kinolau (plant form) of Kamapua'a, the Hawaiian Pig-God.

 

My friends prepared la'au (medicinal herbs) that they had gathered and made into tea. The la'au felt so, so good to me that I felt like eating the leaves.  My friends reminded me about the importance of pule(prayer) by their example - pule before drinking the la'au and pule before making the teas.  I could hear Papa Henry's words about healers needing to pule 24 hours a day. 

 

There are many variations of pule.  It is always an expression of gratitude  - for being alive, for the knowledge that comes from our teachers, for the knowledge within. Pule is for the plant that gives its healing properties to us, for the 'aina whence the la'au comes and from whom we get our strength.  It is for those who picked and prepared it and for the plant that gives its life for our health.

 

The practice of la'au lapa'au(healing with the Hawaiian medicinal plants) is about love.  It is about listening, preparation, respect, sacrifice and patience - the five expectations that Papa Henry had for his students.  I carry these expectations into my practice of hula and for my students.   

 

One must be able to hear what can't be heard: the quiet voice within, the soft gentle voices of nature and sometimes even through the loud voices of human nature.  Listening, respect, sacrifice and patience are all part of the preparation and practice of the dance.   If you do all of that very well, aloha naturally springs from it and suffuses the dance, your life.

 

Malama pono,

June Kaililani Tanoue
Kumu Hula

DeLacy Sarantos, at 76 years old, is the second oldest Halau student.  She was the very first student who came to the new beginner class almost seven years ago.

She loves dance and has studied both Bharatanatyam and Spanish/Flamenco off and on for over 20 years. Here's her hula story.

 

"I knew nothing about Hula until Ted, my husband, and I had a trip to Hawaii about 23 years ago.  He had a business meeting in Kona but we went a week early and stayed in Hilo, taking day trips around the big island.

 

Our first night, Ted turned on the television and they were showing the Merrie Monarch Festival.  We were both captivated, but it was the end of the festival so we could not go.

 

About 5 years later, we managed to get back to Hawaii, camping near Hilo, and attended several days of the festival and were especially enchanted with the Kahiko.

 

I wanted to learn it but the only class I could find in Chicago was one on Sundays at the Old Town School of Folk Music, which was not possible for me.  So I was thrilled to find the notice that you were teaching hula in Oak Park.  It has been about 18 years since I first saw hula, fell in love with it, and then was able to study it.

 

I love the chants, the music and the movements, especially the Kahiko, though I find it next to impossible to learn the chants!"

Last month's halau e-newsletter brought many responses including quite a few about hawks that follow. 

Here is a photograph that Bob Bowman sent from his yard in Kailua-Kona.  This hawk is looking at wild baby moa (chickens).

Mahalo for sharing 'Io. Such grace and strength. There are several experiences I also witnessed. One I'll share: Short Story!   Years ago me and Yvonne was looking at 'aina in the Honokaa area. Trying to locate corner pins on a lot was a chore but we eventually found all but one. As we was standing under this tree, we looked up and surprisingly noticed an 'Io perched on the branch. Being frustrated cause we couldn't find the 4th pin, I turned to Yvonne and said, "ask him/her". So she did, and 'Io answered with such a voice that somehow forced us to look at a particular spot. And guess what! Yes, there it was, the 4th pin amongst some little tall grass around it. SMILE!!!!!. We mahalo 'Io and was amazed for a while.  Papa [Henry] once said, "listen to what's not being said, and see what's not being shown!" I think I got a lifetime learning in both areas. Such discipline.             Keoki Carter, Ouli, HI 

 

Beautiful account, June, of your trip home and time with your mother.  Today my mother would have celebrated a birthday, 96th.  She died 3 years ago later in January.  Your story reminds me of being at the cemetery for my dad's burial and the strong, beautiful hawk that flew from the tree above his grave.  Thank you for sharing and for the peace with which you anoint us!                               Lois Rockhill, Muncie, IN 

 

Mahalo nui for sending this beautiful letter and your sharing of your ohana celebration over the holiday season.  As I was reading the part of your dancing to Waika, I myself could feel your motions and see the grace of the `io gliding gracefully in the mist of the clouds as the kipu`upu`u winds whistle by.                                       Ilima De La Cruz, Honolulu, HI

 

So glad you were able to get back home for awhile and sounds like your Mom is in good hands.  Being born under the Rat sign, circling hawks are tremendously exciting but also a little bit frightening.            Sterling Robbins, South Point, HI 

 

I was touched to read about your mother, your care for her, and how you danced. I have danced and sung in my mother's hospital room (in the past, she's home now), so it touched me to reach your words.  I think this must be a common shared experience that people don't talk about much. It's a beautiful thing to imagine all the women who have danced or sung for their mothers when they were ill. It's something lovely to do when you can't do anything else to make it better.
.                                        Julie Peterson, Chicago, IL

 

Lovely letter June.  It is filled with good energy that makes our one life strong and connected. Just wanted to tell you we had two sightings of large hawks late on the 31st of Dec. They were up on the Hornby Island Helliwell Bluffs, not far from where you gave the chant on your visit.  What an honor to see these strong and vigilant creatures.May 2011 be clear and fine for you, Joshin, and all those in your mandala.

                                   Pyx Sutherland, Hornby Island, BC

 

I always open your emails with such anticipation. I know that your words will inspire me, make me think deeply, and usually make me cry.  This email did all three. You especially hit a chord when speaking so lovingly about your mom and dad. My mom also is in a nursing home, having pretty advanced Alzheimer's. I, too, help to feed her, sing to her, and kiss her so much till we are both laughing. I have come to believe that these folks who have this disease are true angels on earth. It is very difficult to watch, but I hope to learn from this-patience, caring, understanding and above all, love. My dad passed away in July of 1995, and I still miss him so everyday. I pray to him for strength and guidance and know he helps me get through especially difficult times.  As I write, I am listening to Keola and Raiatea's album, and " our time for letting go" and " i kilohi aku au" ...weeping for the loss of parents, and weeping in gratitude for all they have given to me that continues to guide my life.  On the way back to NYC from a 2 week stay in Pennsylvania, I too saw an 'io, sitting in the medial strip of a 6 lane highway. Sitting proud and tall, not moving. I like your reference to seeing what is in-out of balance in our lives, and to listen to make it pono. This I will try to do.

                                              Patti Danko, NYC,NY