Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 6, Number 2, 1 February 1989 — OHA Kupuna Take "Pulama" Theme To Lanakila [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

OHA Kupuna Take "Pulama" Theme To Lanakila

It was a morning that said being Hawaiian was special. Pulama, "Cherish the light of the people" was the theme of a presentation by OHA's kupuna trio to members and guests of the Lanakila Senior Center Hawaiian club. The hour-long program was presented January 17 at the Lanakila Center as a club activity in honor of the Chinese bicentennial.

Although they had to condense the program from its usually longer version, OHA kupuna, Betty Kawohi'okalani Jenkins, Maile Lum Ho Vargo, and Ulunui'okamamalu Garmon, more than met the challenge. Introduced by club president lrene Wai, OHA's kupuna greeted members and guests with a musieal medley and Betty Jenkins explained their theme,"Pulama." Lama refers to a native hardwood tree and its meaning of light. Pu means "together." Not only did the wonderful music and poetry of the kupuna delight all, but club members in their turn enlivened the program. Nani Chow shared a hula to "Kaulana Na Pua," Annie K. Palakilo gave a personal mini-lesson in the art of leimaking from yarn and straws.

Auntie 'Ulu Garmon's creation chant told of the relationship of the sky-father, Wakea, and earthmother, Papa. It described the trials and tribulations of the eouple, due to Wakea's romantic philanderings whieh resulted in Papa walking out on him although eventually she did eome back. The eouple weathered the storm and the happy result of the love story was the birth of the many different islands, although not all of them by Papa. The lovely mele, "Pohaku" written by Maile Lum Ho Vargo broughf home Jenkins' words: "Through the cultural transmission of mana'o of

the kupuna we know that being keiki o ka 'aina is more than a poetic phrase to be taken lightly."

Jenkins explained that to study your name and its meaning is an important part of Hawaiian culture. In fact, the meaning of the names of OHA's kupuna inspired OHA's Education Division secretary Nadine Malilay to design a lau (quilt pattern) in whieh the kupuna names and what they represent are shown. Named for 'Ulunui'okamamalu Kanakaole Garmon, and depicted in the lau are the leaves of the 'ulu (breadfruit) tree with its not yet matured fruit, symbolic of spiritual, cultural, emohonal, and nhvsical qrowth vet to be experienced.

Maile, the native twining vine with its shiny fragrant leaves, encircles the 'ulu and honors Maile Kamai'alaupala'okekuahiwi'okapiko'omauna-loa Lum Ho Vargo. Growing in Hawaii's forests, the maile is recognized as belonging to Laka, goddess of the hula and is representative of poetry, rhythm and cadence.

The lau is called Kawohi'okalani after OHA's community kupuna coordinator Betty Ellis Jenkins whose Hawaiian name is interpreted as one who assumes a role of an alaka'i, (leader) directing and turning something toward its appointed or intended mark or qoal.

Discussing Hawaiian spiritual relations, the kupuna explained that "lokahi" (unity and harmony) is the balance that humans have with God, themselves, fellow humans, and with the 'aina (land). The other god-spirit gives us our powers of empathy and emotional response, a coordination of mind and heart, and is (not surprisingly) called, "Aloha." The deeper, more meaningful use of the word refers to learning what is not said, seeing what cannot be seen and knowing the unknowable. To these spiritual beliefs, lokahi and aloha, add 'ohana. Derived from the word 'oha, it is an offshoot of the kalo, sacred source of life for the

Hawaiian. OHA is also the acronym for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Jenkins explaining that pohaku (stones) symbolize our relationship with all God-created things, allowing us to identify with and tap into energy, strength, power, support and courage. Pohaku symbolizes the plaee Hawaiians have the world, emphasizing both uniqueness and unity. It is this combination that causes the lessons learned from pohaku to have cultural meaninq.

From the pohaku adz, pahenee and artistry; from pohaku 'ulumaika, skills, leisure and aeeuracy; from pohaku imu, health and well being, rewards obtained from the values of preparation, process, and eomplehon of tasks. The lessons of pohaku eonhnue to enrich our lives. Any club or organization desiring to have OHA kupuna present a program may eall the OHA Kupuna Coordinator Mrs. Betty Jenkins at 6379118, or the OHA Education Division at 946-2642.

Club member Nani Chow dances to "Kaulana Na Pua", translated by Betty Jenkins behind her.

OHA's Kupuna trio lead members of the Lanakila Senior Center Hawaiian Club in song. In background, from left to right, are Maile Lum Ho Vargo, Ulu Garmon, and Betty Jenkins, at microphone.