MAKUA O'O



Ha Kupuna ... exchanging the 'breath of life' between kupuna (elder)  and keiki (child)

  Makua o'o

Definition:  maturing adult; elder in training

Mahalo nui loa to Aunty Betty Kawohiolani Jenkins for nuturing and guiding me in the practice of the makua o'o; for passing to me the tools she learned from her kupuna

A story

Our faithful Subaru has logged thousands of miles since we picked her out in that Hilo car dealership lot in 2004.  Pete likes to tell the story, "Well, the odometer reads 80,000 but really she's got an additional x-thousand miles."  People look at him with that look, that sometimes jaw-dropped crease between the eyebrows, cock of the head, "Hah?"  "The odometer doesn't record the three ocean crossings between islands and between O'ahu and Washington since 2004."  "Oh," most people say with some degree of understanding.  We have criss-crossed the Pacific Ocean many times.  Between us there have been more than a dozen trips on air wa'a, not canoe.  When I arrived in Honolulu in 1994, I was home again after more than twenty-three years.  Life had changed and I was back to lick my wounds and begin again.  Ma and Dad had  passed into spirit, the old homestead was rented out, but the neighbor and old friend next door had a place for me.  I began healing there, and soon after Pete made the crossing from Wisconsion and joined me in Kuliouou Valley.
We would soon pack up and travel to Maui where we began our life together as a couple.  We lived and worked together in the hotel industry -- a new place for both of us, I worked as the hotel's training and Hawaiian culture wahine and Pete did the fix 'ems in the engineering department.  We had a lot of fun, made wonderful new friends and got to know one another.  Among the friends I met was a gracious kupuna (elder) named Aunty Betty Jenkins.  While I began creating the programs for Hawaiian Culture Education I brought with me that POI BOWL, my mother's bowl.  I knew I wanted to share the mana'o (the teachings) with the workers at the hotel, and knew also that I needed to ask permission to share.  My prayer was answered when Aunty Betty showed up for a Kupuna Workshop at the hotel.  I introduced myself, and we began to talkstory.  She was sharing Poi Bowl in the work she did, and was thrilled to hear my story of wanting to involve the traditions and in her permission-giving Aunty Betty also introduced me to the practices of Makua O'o ... a practice her momma had shared with her.  "No one else seems very interested, Mokihana.  You are, so you must be the one."

The practice of Makua O'o has become my foundational tool.  I live with them, write about them in columns, talk about them in story, share them on a blog and when I learn something new, like now, I pass them along with the workshop COUNT ON THE MOON.  The tools are basic life skill that can be used over time and with maturation the uses for them changes, and integrate.  We all have life crossings, criss-crossing and times of 'ole that seem at times to last too long. Offered here, you may see how useful they can be as you begin a new cyle of thirty days.  As Mahina begins her water-effecting movement the water within you may attract the o'o ... the maturing tool into your hand, into your everyday.  They are useful and adaptable o'o, see how they fit for your life and your Kuleana (area of responsibility).

The BASIC LIFE TOOLS Of Makua O'o

Keep a keen sense of observation … NOTICE

Listen … with your whole body … LISTEN RESPECTFULLY

Do your best in all things … BELIEVE YOUR BEST IS ENOUGH.

Know that wisdom is found in many places … SOFTEN THE GROUND OF YOUR BEING

Question for clarity when making decisions … ASK

Practice patience and endurance … TIMING IS DIVINE

Engage in good health practices … CARE

Feel the heartbeat of the culture … SENSE YOUR PLACE

Believe in Ke Akua, for this higher power makes all life possible … WE ARE NEVER ALONE

Copy and Print, or Cut and Paste this list of o'o for yourself. 

Let us know how you use it over time.  



We suggest that over the next week, and as you consider digest and be with the mana'o of the workshop thus far, lay out these o'o and review/meditate upon their meaning for you. 

How do these tools speak to you/your present life?  

During the 'Ole Moons coming in the next seven days-nights there will be time to do nothing/rest-nap/restore, replay Kumu John Keola Lake's 'oli E HO MAI daily, pray with him and feel the heartbeat of the Source.

This is the last new content session for this part of the Count On The Moon Workshop "'Ole Mahalo".  The sidebar of this blog will fill with Resources to further your study of the Kanaka.  Explore them. 

Your comments, questions and thoughts will fuel the future posts.  We look forward to that unfolding.  New content already prepared will show up periodically over the month, but the 'Ole Moons will be times of no new content.  We hope there is something here that nourishes you.  We mahalo all of you, and embrace your beauty and your courage, and look forward to more.  Let us know how we might serve your needs during the month, and take good care all the while.

A hui hou,

Mokihana and Pete

Photo Credit and Link:  The photograph above is taken from the site HA KUPUNA a program created at the University of Manoa on the island of O'ahu.  It's purpose and goals focus on the needs of the Hawaiian Kupuna Elders.