n. Obstacle, obstruction.

Change is in the air.

We collectively strive to protect our mauna — Mauna Kea, Haleakalā, and all the ʻāina that our indigenous people worldwide want to protect.  Something is in the air. There is a movement to save our Mauna a Wākea from further desecration. That movement deserves a much longer post. Click here to access more information.

Collective efforts to prevent the building of TMT (Thirty Meter Telescope) on the top of our sacred mountain is just one ālaina that we must overcome.  We are at one alo pali (face of a cliff), we must climb it successfully, only to be met by another. Must be similar to what Naeʻole encountered when escaping the Kohala warriors with an infant Kamehameha Paiʻea to protect. One ālaina after another.

It reminds me of the epic journey of Hiʻiaka to fetch Pele’s dream lover, Lohiʻau.  During her travels from Halemaʻumaʻu to Kauaʻi, she encountered many ālaina, some big, some small.  In all her efforts, she inevitably would call upon the aid of her kūpuna, ‘ohana, and higher powers to kōkua, to give her the strength that she would need to overcome.  And sure enough, they would come through for her.

I think that is what will help us to overcome our ālaina, as individuals, as a people.  We always seek the guidance, strength, and wisdom of our ʻaumākua and our kūpuna. We look to our ‘ohana for their unconditional support.  We seek the assistance of higher powers.  The ālaina are out there to enhance our abilities to face challenges and become stronger for our future generations.

Copyright: 2015 – Liana Iaea Honda. All rights reserved. All versions of He Momi e Lei ai”, in its entirety, past and present, is the property of L. K. I. Honda. Reproduction and use of any kind other than the sharing of this website is prohibited. Alteration to the original content in any form is prohibited in every and any instance, and use in any other variant is prohibited without written consent of the author. Adress inquiries to: hemomi [at] gmail.com. Definitions and wise sayings are from: Hawaiian Dictionary by Pukui and Elbert, 1986. ʻŌlelo Noʻeau – Hawaiian Proverbs & Poetical Sayings by Mary Kawena Pukui, 1983.