Hawaii Island 2011 Jul–Aug,  Ka Wehena,  Kumu Keala Ching,  Spirit

Ka Wehena: Pū‘olo

July-Aug ʻ11 - Life in Spirit - Puolo2By 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
Pō’ina‘ole maila ka moemoeā, Aia i mua
Na ke ala i hō’ike ‘ia ai ke ola
Mālama ke kanaka, ho’omalu ka ‘āina
Maka’āinana o ke Akua, he ola
Aia ke ola i ke ola
Aia ke ola i ke ola

He pū’olo makamae lei hiwahiwa
Kau i ka poli, ha’uha’u ka ‘i’ini
Mai ka pu’uwai, makana ‘ia mai
Nānā i ke alo, aia ke ala, Nānā
Nānā i loko, aia ka wailua, Nānā
Aia ke ola i ke ola
Aia ke ola i ke ola

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
Never forgetting the dream, it’s here
It is the pathway that reveals the life
Care for people, honor the land
Life, the nurturer of lands of the Higher Spirit
For life is what life is
For life is what life is

A precious gift of beloved lei
When placed near, one sobs with affection
From the heart gifted forever
Seek your image, there is the path, seek it
Seek within, there is the spirit, seek it
For life is what life is
For life is what life is

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 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.