Wednesday, December 31, 2008

MAKUA O`O ... Elder in Training


Photo Credit: Chris Kawika Brown

Basic Life Tools
of a Makua o`o


(Elder in training)


Makua is the Hawaiian word for adult. O`o refers to the digging tool used to loosen unwanted weeds, move heavy objects or make holes for planting. Together the words makua and o`o combine to describe the man or woman who consciously uses the basic life tools (listed below)digging through life, loosening weeds, and hardened beliefs, moving back into the flow and making room for new growth in tutelage with a kupuna or elder skilled with these life tools herself/himself. The life of a makua o`o is a commitment to life in harmony with the philosophy and practice of care that is the essence of “malama `aina” -- to care for that which nourishes you. This commitment is spiritual at its core, and practical in application. It is a life of faith and daily practice. I am grateful to Aunty Betty Kawohiokalani Jenkins for opening the door to my apprentice as makua o`o. I am not sure this apprecticeship ever ends. I share this post with all our visitors, regular readers, family and friends with thanks to all of you for joining us in our journey to build VARDOFORTWO. We wish you all a new year of love, support, caring and authenticity. We are all elders in training, look around ... so many digging sticks, so many spirits being human.

HAUOLI MAKAHIKI HOU!

Mokihana and Pete



1. Keep a keen sense of observation … NOTICE

2. Listen … with your whole body … LISTEN RESPECTFULLY

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

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

5. Question for clarity when making decisions … ASK

6. Practice patience and endurance … TIMING IS DIVINE

7. Engage in good health practices … CARE

8. Feel the heartbeat of the culture … MAKE TIME FOR LOVE

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

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oooo, familiar mountains!

I know and love the concept of o'o well. I live in O'okala, so I have the sense of o'o as PLACE. And our heavy o'o tool is the most valuable in our gardening and our landscape work, fencing and other projects. So the energy of the o'o is deep in my being, and I appreciate this post very much! I need to apply makua o'o to my being, to my growth. Mahalo Mokihana for this thought, this seed of knowledge.

HAUOLI MAKAHIKI HOU, MOKIHANA AND PETE!! This is the year for the VARDOFORTWO dream to come true, and that's a very good thing.

Aloha pumehana & honi honi,
Susie xoxo

Mokihana Calizar said...

Susie ... they are your pu`u e ka mauna! Yes, you would feel the mana of that o`o and it is so comforting to hear you drawing on the spirit of those teachings. With the challenges of Multiple Chemical Sensitivities it is valuable to keep the makua close to the tools, hands-on the o`o, heart close to akua. I have loved this apprenticeship, and this post gives me a way to spread the mana`o.

I know you appreciate the whole package ((aloha)). Mokihana

Anonymous said...

Thank you for these words Mokihana, they reverberate deeply, bringing back the memories that were struggling to return.

May 2009 bring you much peace and good fortune, and may the winds be good.

Mokihana Calizar said...

Linda, You're welcome. You take care and be well in the new year with peace and health steady companions. Ah, and the winds clear and clean.
Aloha, Mokihana