Kuleana

“Perpetuate kuleana in ways that emphasize not ownership but caretaking”

Ok, so before I start with my opinions know this, that some of these stories involve people I know or traditions that are also passed down in my family. My family is from Hanalei, Kalihiwai and Kalihikai thats where they grew up and they are a combo of fishermen and kalo farmers, we call them mahia’i.

Growing up I have noticed a lack of respect towards other communitys and their iceboxes (this includes the land, a loi is a refrigerator if water temp is maintained correctly). Exploitation of the land and the sea is the norm with no thought of tomorrow. This mind set comes into constant conflict with those who seek to take care of places and areas that have and could still provide food. Ones values come into the drama of what and who is right. But I appreciate the quote above. It speaks volumes to the two mind sets and everything in between. Some times culture can stop progress, but many times the teachings that have been passed on when it comes to food are always about subsistence. Storys are lessons learned that are meant to be shared and reflected on continually, hence kauna, the deeper meanings to the story. So whats the kauna behind the statements and stories? In the words of Uncle Jerry Konanui “Our ancestors were very specific when it came to naming (or using their words) in relation to what was being observed.”