nvs. Good will, good disposition, generosity, grace; kind, humane, gracious, benevolent, beneficent, obliging. Nā lā o ka lokomaikaʻi, days of grace [time allotted for paying a bill].

Yesterday’s word, loko ʻino (bad inside, evil), necessitated an off setting opposite. I don’t want the bad juju around me for more than a day. So today’s “momi” is lokomaikaʻi – good inside, goodness. Some smart, no? Loko – inside. maikaʻi – good. When you are good inside, you surely are gracious, benevolent, kind, full of grace. I bet you know at least a handful of people who fit this description. I am going to say you probably have an overflowing handful of people that you know personally and maybe even a bunch that you don’t know personally but you know because they were/are famous — Mother Theresa. Gandhi. Princess Pauahi.

I do believe, now more than ever, that there are way more people in this world who are lokomaikaʻi rather than loko ʻino. Look around at the person who has no qualms reaching out to the homeless or those in need. Lokomaikaʻi. Think of the people paying it forward in the Starbucks line. Surely that is evidence of lokomaikaʻi. How about those who donate money to their favorite charities. Or pick up the rubbish they see on the ground. All of those acts are acts of lokomaikaʻi. They show the generosity and grace of mankind.

Those who are steadfast in protecting our sacred mauna. Lokomaikaʻi. Not going to work. Sleeping in the freezing cold with no access to the comforts of home. Away from family. Lokomaikaʻi. Whether you agree or not about the #aoletmt movement, know that those who want to protect our ʻāina, are doing it because of the goodness of their insides. They feel and believe so strongly in the sacredness of Maunakea as the piko of Hawaiʻi, as the child of Papa and Wākea, that they will protect her to no end.

How do you show lokomaikaʻi to those who need it most? How do you exhibit lokomaikaʻi to the ʻāina and to the kai? How do you make this space in time and place a better place through your words and actions?

ʻAʻohe lokomaikaʻi nele i ka pānaʻi – No deed has ever lacked a reward (and the best reward is the intrinsic joy of making this world a better place rather than fortune and fame).

He lokomaikaʻi ka manu o Kaiona – The bird of Kaiona is kind (said of one who helps a lost person find his way home).

Make an effort today and everyday to be lokomaikaʻi in a way that is quite different than your usual self. We get comfy in being kind in the same way everyday (smiling to all, giving a hug, greeting with eye contact) but try something different (feed the homeless, buy a meal for someone who needs it, go pick up some litter on the street, donate to a worthy cause).

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.