Ka Wehena: Pū‘olo
By Kumu Keala Ching
| He pū’olo waimaka kapa i ka lani Aia ka ha’i ‘ōuli, ke aloha pau’ole Aniani ho’i ke ala, kau ka maka i mua Ha’aha’a ke ola, ho’omalu ka ‘ike Hāmama ka pu’uwai, ho’owehe ke aloha Aia ke ola i ke ola Aia ke ola i ke ola He pū’olo makani puku kālina ho’i kau He pū’olo makamae lei hiwahiwa |
A blanket of rain fills the heavens A prediction of unprecedented love A clear path, seek it before you Humble thy life, bring peace upon thy sight The heart is open, for love undoes it all For life is what life is For life is what life is Indeed a stormy wind from within A precious gift of beloved lei |
Pū’olo, he mea i mālama ‘ia ai nā mea like ‘ole ka’apuni o ke ola. Mea mai kekahi, pehea i mālama ai ka lei hiwahiwa? E hana maila ka pū’olo kahi i mālama ai ka lei hiwahiwa. ‘O ka pū’olo kahi kupaianaha, like ho’i ka pū’olo waimaka ‘oe, ka pū’olo makani ‘oe, ka pū’olo makana ‘oe, ka pū’olo ‘ōiwi ‘oe, ka pū’olo mea’ai ‘oe a ka pū’olo ‘ike ‘oe mai nā kūpuna mai. Inā nānā ho’i ‘oe i loko o kou ola, aia ka pū’olo makamae kahi i ‘ike ai kou kuleana. ‘O kou mo’olelo kou mo’olelo a ‘o kou makana kupaianaha kou makana kupaianaha. Aia ke ola i ke Akua, hāhai me ka mana’o’i’o. E ola!
A bundle, utilized to care for all things that surrounds one’s life. One asks the question, how does one care for a precious lei? A bundle is created so that the precious lei is cared for. A bundle is an amazing creation, such as a metaphor for tears, a container for winds, a gift, a basket of ancestral bone, a bag of food or a gift of knowledge found within—given by your ancestors. If you look within your life, you will find a precious bundle filled with the knowledge of your responsibilities. Your story is your story, your miracle is your miracle. Your spirit is life, follow it with faith! Live it!
Pū’olo is a bundle of wonderful things given to each of us by the grace of the Higher Spirit. Nurture and open this pū’olo from within, seek to understand your pathway of life and live it as a precious gift of your past, present and future. Your life is your future, care for the present moment because what you do now will affect you in the near future. Enjoy and live your life as if it would end now! ❖
Contact Kumu Keala Ching at kumukeala@nawaiiwiola.org
Kumu Keala Ching
Kumu Keala Ching is a Hawaiian cultural educator, composer, song writer, and spiritual advisor to many Hawaiian organizations. He lives and breathes aloha into his Hawaiian heritage with his strong presence and great heart. Under the tutelage of Loea Frank Kawaikapuokalani Hewett, Kumu Keala spent many years learning and building his knowledge. He is fluent in the Hawaiian language, which he uses as the foundation for teaching all of his students. Kumu Keala lives in Kailua-Kona, where he is Kumu Hula for Ka Pa Hula Na Wai Iwi Ola (the ancient waters of life) and co-founder and executive director of Na Wai Iwi Ola (NWIO) Foundation.
