Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 38, Number 10, 1 October 2021 — Nānā I Ke Kumu, Helu 'Ekolu: Look to the Source [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Nānā I Ke Kumu, Helu 'Ekolu: Look to the Source

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By Pālama Lee Lili'uokalani Trust (LT) believes every Hawaiian child has the inherent right to live an abundant and culturally informed life whieh is poetically captured in our Strategic Plan's vision, e nā kamalei lupalupa, or thriving Hawaiian children. To illuminate the vibrant culture of the Hawaiian people, LT published Nānā I Ke Kumu, Helu Ekolu or volume III in October 2020 whh Hawaiian authors, Lynette and Likeke Pagalinawan, Dennis Kauahi, and Valli Kalei Kanuha. The book brings forward into modern consciousness the Hawaiian prayers and practices of our kūpuna, "as cultural handles for families to use to deal with Hawaiian problems" a saying of whieh Aunty Lynette and Unele Likeke Paglinawan often remind us. For four years, the authors met monthly with LT staff to discuss the cultural issues and solutions they were experiencing while working with beneficiary 'ohana throughout the pae 'āina. Over time, the types of cultural issues brought to the authors shaped the focus of the chapters of Nānā I Ke Kumu, Helu 'Ekolu.

'Ekolu or volume III does not stand alone. It is part of a series first published in the 1970s with authors such as Mary Kawena Puku'i, Dr. E.W. Haertig, and Catherine Lee. Intended to bring forward traditional cultural knowledge and practices to help our Hawaiian people, in retrospect 'Ekahi and 'Elua (volumes I and II) achieved mueh more. They were part of a larger social movement in the Hawaiian community toward ea, or .

self-determination. In the 1970s as well as today, many healing therapies offered to 'ohana are based on Euro-American values and principles. While they are helpful to many, the worth and utility of Hawaiian cultural healing practices, such as ho'oponopono, are of equal, if not more valuable, in dealing with 'ohana issues within a Hawaiian context. In 'Ekolu, for the first time the volumes contain original artwork. Poet, artist and activist Imaikalani Kalahele created one-of-a-kind images and poetry. Like an art gallery, his pieces are curated from cover to cover. Nānā I Ke Kumu, Look to the Source. Our kūpuna knew Hawaiian ways of being, doing, and knowing are curative. LT believes this and ensures every LT program and service that touches the lives of our kamali'i is culturally resonant to promote nā kamalei lupalupa. In the next two issues of Ka Wai Ola, LT spotlights Alaula, Hekili, and Naupaka, a cultural group for keikikāne, kaikamahine, and māhū (November) and the practice of Ho'opono (December). ■

Pālama Lee's kūpuna eome from Kamalō, Molokai and LLaupō and Lahaina, Maui. He has been been blessed to workfor theLili'uokalani Trust ( LT)for the past io years and is presently the Director ofResearch and Evaluation. His workfocuses on illuminating the wellbeing ofour lāhui. He received his MSW and Ph.D. at UH Mānoa.

a gift to the Gods is a gift to man and the gift of man must be a gift to the Land