Go to malama website:  http://malamahawaii.org/calendar.php

This weekend the Million Trees of Aloha and Caring For Our Beaches Project will kick off at the Honolulu Zoo. Join Community Leaders, Legislators and volunteers at 10am and get involved.  The goal is to plant one million trees throught the state of Hawaii buy October 2010, which is also Children and Youth Month.  Each hawaii resident, school, church, business, community organization and many others are encouraged to participate in the initiative by planting non-invasive trees, preferably native or food bearing, throughout the state.  Hawaii Residents are also being urged to clean up beaches throughout the state by picking up trash.

For more info contact Diana Okazaki at the Honolulu Zoological Society or make a commitment and see what others are doing- go to Kanu Hawaii website:  http://www.kanuhawaii.org/commit/details/?id=1267135151384776

Good afternoon everyone!

It is indeed an honor for me to be in your presence this afternoon. I welcome this opportunity to address this distinguished group of world leaders, diplomats, ambassadors, families, friends and my brothers and sisters all over the world. ALOHA!

I do have a brief protocol that I must do as a Hawaiian of the Polynesian Race and that is my right. And, as an American Citizen, I do have that right and that is to recognize my Higher Power and my ancestors and your ancestors too.

I want to express my greetings of ALOHA to God, my Heavenly Father, and Jesus, my Lord and Savior. I love you Heavenly Father and Jesus. And, to my ancestors, and all of your ancestors, I greet them with fond aloha and I love each one of them.

My name is Malia Craver. In Hawai`i, I am known as Aunty Malia to our kã puna, our elders, to our parents, our makua, and to our children, our kamali`i. It doesn’t matter what age it is. Even 90-year old people call me Aunty and that is okay with me. It is an endearing name that demonstrates respect for an older person. I am from Ho`okena, Kona, Hawai`i. Hawai`i is the biggest island, the largest and youngest island in the State of Hawai`i with three majestic mountains — Maunakea, Maunaloa, Hualalai, and the home of our great Hawaiian warrior chief called Kamehameha.

I want to talk and share with all of you about some relevant spiritual and cultural values of our beloved ancestors who are now sleeping beyond the thin veil that separates them from us. Yes, I have had many beautiful and memorable teachings of these basic values from my family and in our home since birth. My family was a great influence upon me and there have been other great teachers who taught me as well. Their wish was that I live a life grounded in cultural and spiritual values and good principles that would be reflective of their teachings and their love for me.

1. Ke kukui o ke ola, o ke Akua nÇ — The light of life is indeed God, my Heavenly Father.
“In the beginning was God. In Him was light and the light was the light of all people. The light shines in darkness, and the darkness comprehended it not.”
Each beautiful day as I was growing up in Ho`okena, Kona, Hawai`i, I was taught by my loving family that we do have a supreme God who loves you and I. If we know God, then we must know His son, Jesus Christ, who is our Lord and Savior. I was also reminded daily to walk closer with God and to communicate with Him through prayers in Jesus’ name. God is real. He lives and He is here with me and with those who believe in Him. My family also taught me that God is universal. God has many names in different nations and He is worshiped in different fashions. God is love and we love each of you from deep within. Peace begins with self.

2. LÇ kahi ka mana`o — be of one mind. To be unanimous in agreement, to bring harmony, peace and unity for people, families, friends and even our enemies, according to our wise and beloved ancestors in ancient times. Yes, our ancestors were people of wisdom, the “torches of wisdom.” I mean every ancestor of every ethnic race. They were all the torches of wisdom.
The principle of lÇ kahi is based on the connection with God, with each other, and nature to the fullest. This sacred relationship underscores the belief that WE are not the masters of the universe. We are an important element of a sacred relationship with God and nature. Our very existence depends on the harmony we strive to
maintain through love, honor, respect and reverence for one another. There is no end to this spiritual connection to God, ourselves and all of nature.

Each day, peace and harmony are key factors to this meaningful relationship with God and each other. This, to me, is truly the only way for you and I to live each day. You and I know that many of us are no longer on this beautiful and spiritual pathway of old. It was Heavenly Father or however you address God. It was Him who granted all of us these positive and workable principles of life.

Spirituality is truly a connection of God, ourselves, and nature from the beginning of time unto this present day.

3. Ka mana o loko — the power within us. We have received this power from the Higher Power.
I remember hearing this phrase often when I was growing up from my family, especially when I was a little naughty. My folks often told me to use that power within me to change my life for the betterment of others as well as myself. To do this, I needed to talk with our supreme God through daily prayers. This power can be yours if you have faith in your God.
They always reminded me that there are two pathways in our life. First, the pathway of God, and that is the pathway of light. Second, the pathway of darkness is of Satan or evil. Believe me, the power from within does work and you are in control of your life to make it beautiful and positive for yourself.

This is the same way with people also. There are some people who are presently walking upon God’s pathway because this is the way to gain peace. And yet, there are others who are comfortable strolling along the pathway of darkness.

Peace can be yours if you have a desire within to establish a loving relationship with your family, neighbors, friends and even your enemies. Make peace with them today. So let us, you and I, work on it now.

First, you and I do need to act lovingly with people at all times. Do not tell them that you are doing it. You just be it! This new spirit will be seen by this group and in time, they will tell you the changes that they have seen in you.

4. Aloha - love.

In our culture, there is a simple word that has great meaning and serves as a foundation for all that we believe in and sums up the soul of us as Hawaiians and you too. Aloha means love, affection, compassion, mercy, sympathy and kindness. Aloha means to be able to translate differences into uniqueness. Aloha means to be able to see and feel a person’s uniqueness, though they may present differences to you. It is that love, caring and spirituality that allows us to appreciate our differences as being unique and beautiful strengths that binds us rather than separates us.

We Hawaiians are a seafaring and spiritual people that have a tradition of island living. Our ancestors have traveled the vast Pacific Ocean with double-hulled canoes for thousands of miles, when the rest of the world continued to believe that the earth was flat.

Our unique island living and traditions have taught us the importance and value of learning to get along with each other. That is number one in our way of life. Long Ocean voyages, in a small canoe, demanded teamwork. Thus, living on an island that is relatively small in size and in the middle of the Pacific Ocean requires that we all learn to live in harmony with our God, our `~ ina or land, and with each other.

The world today is like an island. Technology, air transportation, and communication have brought the world’s different cultures to each other’s doorsteps. We must learn to appreciate each other’s uniqueness and learn to connect with each other through this term or word called the aloha spirit.

There is a proverb that says and I quote, “if there is righteousness in the heart, there is beauty in the character. If there is beauty in the character, there is love in the home. If there is love in the home, there is harmony in the nation. And if there is harmony in the nation, there is peace in the world.” Peace and love applies at home. People at peace, speak to each other, those in love communicate. Peace is forgetting a grievance; love means true forgiveness. People can exist in peace, and live together through love.

Mankind still faces the greatest challenge of all — to spread love and lasting peace throughout the world. The beginning of this great responsibility is not in the capitols of the world. It is in each human heart, you and I, how we each conduct our individual lives.

We all need to improve our relationships with one another. We all need to be aware of the urgent need to remember that we are all related. As people, we need to be needed, to serve and to give of ourselves to help others.

In closing, I would like to say that I am grateful for the time given me to share with you the wisdom of my kã puna, my ancestors. I strive to live my life by these teachings and I find that it has guided me well through the pathways of life. It has enabled me to appreciate myself as a Hawaiian and a member of the world’s family. Most important, it has helped me see the beauty, strength and uniqueness in others or my fellowman not only in Hawai`i but all over the world.

Let ALOHA be our guide. Do not be afraid to take the first step to reach out to others and share ALOHA or LOVE today with one another. Mahalo! ]]> http://www.lifeintheseislands.com/2009/05/12/aunty-malia-cravers-speech-at-the-united-nations/feed/ http://www.lifeintheseislands.com/2009/04/24/overwhelming-response/ http://www.lifeintheseislands.com/2009/04/24/overwhelming-response/#comments Fri, 24 Apr 2009 08:59:49 +0000 admin http://www.lifeintheseislands.com/?p=683 The premier of Life in these Islands received an overwhelming positive response and there are plans underway to re-air the show.  We are also in discussion about the release of a DVD and other initiatives that would help to further this vital conversation.  As this image from the program shows…we are all connected, when the circle is broken everyone is affected.  People feel the same everywhere, what can we do?  It is our hope that you will get involved and help to move Hawaii into the future.    Please join as a member of the website so that you will receive messages when we post so that we can keep the conversation going.  You can then pass these messages along to others that you know.  The people are the most vital part of this movement.

Here are some excerpts of responses we received:

Was so glad that a friend told me to DVR the show.  We stayed up late after putting both of our boys down and was worth every minute of sleep lost…ten fold.  My son attends Kanu O Ka Aina here on the big Island and every section of the show resonated with me and helped to stoke the fire of what we are cultivating in our children.
Mahalo, for taking the time, effort, and fiscal responsibility, to the share the words, feelings and opportunities for actions that so many are ready to hear all packaged in a format ready for the masses.
When will it air again?  I would love to make sure that everyone I know sees this and passes it along to someone else.  GREAT JOB!!

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Thank you SOOOOOO much for your hard work on this project, guys. It was deeply moving and motivating and, once again, I am realizing what an unreal treasure it is to call this place “home.” Shoots, even the commercials were fun!  What an uplifting and challenging 1.5 hours. Mahalo NUI LOA for all you’ve done. Can’t wait to see what is next.

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Just saw the hour and half presentation of Life In These Islands and was taken away by it. I am 72 years old and I feel as motivated as the younger generation that will lead us into the future. Now is the time, let’s roll. Imua Lanakila.

I was so impressed with the comments of those who spoke to the meaning of Aloha that I want to share it with my friends and family on the mainland so they can better understand the meaning of being part of this wonderful culture, place and respect for the aina and each other.  Much mahalo from a mainlander that wishes to embrace the true spirit of Aloha and spread the this most soft, spiritual and important message.  Mahalo for the effort of all in the making of this program.

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I was captivated by the “Life in These Islands” TV special I watched tonight . I feel that that topics and speakers would be a valuable voice to the children I teach.

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Wow, we loved watching this soon-to-be “award-winning” special, “Life in These Islands”!
Mahalo nui loa to all who were, and will be, instrumental in spreading the Aloha Spirit to
the world through this moving and powerful portrait you’ve Painted for us. Thank you for portraying the magic  of Hawaii’s diverse people, cultures, and souls so beautifully.

Can’t wait to share this in class with those who weren’t able to watch it tonight.

On this site you will find links to organizations and people that are already making a difference.  Get involved and do something. In the future we will launch an extended site that will include videos and other resources so that we can share what is happening with all of you.  Help us by becomeing a part of the ohana that will care for this place.

This is about living pono, with aloha and fulfilling our kuleana. Take the time to appreciate each other and this place, your family and think about your legacy.  This involves every part of our lives, let’s make sure we don’t lose what is special about Hawai’i.

Life in these Islands will premier Earthday April 22nd at 6:30 pm on KGMB 9 in Honolulu and will be streamed live over the internet.  This unique 90 minute presentation will follow the 6 o’clock news and reinforces KGMB’s commitment to Hawai’i and our future.  The program is hosted by actor Jason Scott Lee and Skylark Rossetti.  The station has been a tremendous partner in getting the program on the air and we especially want to thank station manager Rick Blangiardi for his aloha and commitment to this project.  This is a profound piece of television and we invite you to tune in or watch it streamed live on the internet.  Please email your friends and family as we journey together into the future.

The community has really rallied around the show as a number of people have been able to preview some of the segments.  This is an exciting time for our islands as we begin a conversation about where we are at today and where we want to go in the future.   The show captures the heartbeat of our islands and includes stories about encouraging things happening, music from some of our most loved entertainers and insights into who we are, where we come from and where we hope to go.

Hawai’i is more than a name, it is a “mission statement” about these islands and how we are supposed to treat each other, the land, and the sea.  Watch this beautiful statement by clicking on the video below.  This video shows us why Hawai’i is such a special place and considered by some to be heaven on earth.

Ramsay is Director of External Relations & Community Partnerships, School of Travel Industry Management University of Hawaii at Manoa and Chairman of the Board of Sustain Hawai’i

CLICK ON THE VIDEO BELOW TO WATCH

Click here to view the embedded video.

Pono’s Address to Senate

“Aloha and greetings to all of you, the theme of this Ho’omau address is Aloha, Kupuna, and Mana.  Allow me to preface this address with:  I believe this will be the greatest legislative session that Hawaii has ever seen and that decisions that will be made during this time will have world wide ramifications.

Ho’omau: persistence, perseverance

It was the year 1970, a Governor’s conference.  Where would we find ourselves, Hawaii, in the year 2000?  The emotions were high and hearts were heavy.  The Vietnam War, Civil Rights, Hawaiian Injustices, angst on our College Campuses, A kupuna walks on stage in a red mu’u mu’u and begins to address the crowd.  Her name is Pilahi Paki and if you’d like a chicken skin moment go to lifeintheseislands.com and listen to her full rendition of the meaning of “ALOHA”

Prior to her passing in 1985 Auntie Pilahi shared a prophetic word with my dad.  She said that she had been speaking to the spirit kupuna and learned that in the 21st century mankind would reach a significant crossroads, a choice of life or death and “Hawaiians have the power to save world culture”.

It is why my father wrote and got a law passed calling for our leaders to live ALOHA, for this is the time and we are the ones they’ve been waiting for!

A few months ago a friend was going to California to visit our children in School and I asked him to take some poi and kalua pig to my daughter.  So late one night as my wife slept, I prepared to ku’i.  I wiped down my board with water and began to pule, inviting Ke Akua to join me and blessing this time to make food.  I invited my dad and my grandparents, my aumakua-my angels, my aunts and uncles, my kupuna and I began to ku’i.  With every movement of my hands I prayed that this food would bless Chantele.  That it would help her to know that we love her and that she is special, that I would be the father that she needs me to be, that she would realize her gifts and her kuleana, that she would be safe and healthy.  That she would find her purpose and remember Akahai, Lokahi, Olu olu, Ha’a ha’a, and Ahonui.  I could have gone out and bought a bag of poi but it wouldn’t have had the dreams, hopes, and kuleana of me and my kupuna in it.  It wouldn’t have had our mana.  For at that moment it was the very reason for our entire combined existence.

In preparation for this address I was advised to go to someplace special and wait for the message and so on Sunday I ventured out at 6:30 am to Kaena Point.  It was perfect, the park was closed, so I would go in alone.  When I got to Kaena I sat down and began to call our kupuna.  I called Ke Akua and Jesus, Buddha, the prophet Muhammad, Lao Tse, Ghandi, Father Damien, Mother Marriane Cope, Kahu Akaka, Sue Wesselkemper, Jack Burns, Martin Luther King, Jack and Bobby Kennedy, Abraham Lincoln, Pauahi, Jack Hall, Charles Kendall, Harry Weinberg, Blackie Fujikawa, Mary Moon, Nelson Doi, Yukio Naito, Tadao Beppu, Jomo Holt, Epi Yadao, Bob Oshiro, Bob Nakasone, Mayor Baptiste, Larry Kuriyama, Auntie Nona, Auntie Healani Doane, Auntie Pilahi, Nana Veary, Tutu Pukui Auntie Edith, James Bacon, Kamehameha Nui, Hewahewa, Kekuhaupio, Naeole, Liliu, Kuhio, Lunalilo, Queen Emma, Kaiulani, Brudda Iz, Kui Lee, Don Ho, Gabby, Lisa Matsumoto, Alana Dung, Cyrus Belt, Charles Kenn, Bill Heen, Duke Kahanamoku, Eddie Aikau, George Helm, Auntie Gladys, Monsignor Kekumano, Papa Lyman, Papa Auwae, Paki, Baba Muktananda, Tanouye Roshi, Tutu Pele, Patsy Mink, Hiram Fong, Spark Matsunaga, Tommy Trask, John Bellinger, Mau Piailug, David Lyman, Iolani Luahine, George Holokai, Sun Tzu, Miyamoto Musashi, my grandparents, and my dad.

And I screamed “help, we need your help”.

There was a clear one voice, one mind, one heart:  “Quit putting money and power before people.  Take care of each other.  The paradigm has shifted and everything has gone back to zero.  Create the new paradigm.  The answers are in ALOHA.”

Last night as others celebrated the inauguration some friends and I united and I called the same kupuna to join us and we put all of our hopes, dreams, kuleana, mana, and ALOHA in this for all of you!

Ku Pa’a, E puka aku me kau mau makana!
Stand tall, emerge with your gifts!”

Pono Shim
January 21, 2009