On "Being Hawaiian"

by U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka

Children at Kamahameha Schools have been guided in acceptable personal and social behaviour by an excellent list of 19 points developed by U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka when he was a teacher there many years ago. These guidelines are still in use today. We are honored to have Senator Danny's permission as well as Alan's, to share them here, as we move toward the Holiday season.

While Senator Danny's guidelines are titled "On Being Hawaiian", he points out that while "Natural Reality" mandates Hawaiian blood, "Reality by Agreement" is more important. "In living, it is more meaningful to be Hawaiian by practicing the Hawaiian Code of Being & Doing, (regardless of ethnicity) than by blood". ALL of us, children and adults alike, would stand very tall indeed, "being Hawaiian" in these ways. The Senator explains that the concepts of what it means to be "Hawaiian" were "learned from four kupunas (Hawaiian sages), Kawena Pukui, Pilahi Paki, Margaret Starkey and Hannah Veary."

First of all, the goal is "Being Aloha". Before a person can HAVE aloha, one has to DO aloha; before one can DO aloha, one has to BE aloha. Each person has a choice to be or not be.

"Being Aloha" means being:

Akahai' - kind and tender.
Lokahi' - helpful & cooperative & harmonious.
Olu'olu' - agreeable & pleasant.
Ha'aha'a - humble & modest
Ahonui'- patient & persevering.

On Giving Assistance To Others
"Assist another anonymously and don't brag about assisting another; don't push another down to pull yourself up. Have the sensitivity and awareness to assist another before being asked. For example, if a person needs food, feed him without putting him through the shame or embarrassment of having to beg or ask for food. After assisting a person, thank the person for allowing you the privilege of assisting, and thereby experiencing good feeling for yourself."

On Interacting With Others
"If a person injures or insults you, you have a duty to forgive the person. Once you forgive, never raise the issue again. If you injure or insult another, you have a duty to apologize, and never injure or insult the person again. Do not make an agreement you cannot keep. If you must break the agreement, first get the person's permission. Before judging another, judge yourself. Your viewpoint or opinion of another is a reflection of yourself."

On Personal Behaviour
"Be considerate, sincere and humble and respect and harmonize with nature. Daily respect and give thanks to the gifts of "Ha" (Divine Source) viz., persons, places, things, events, choices and experiences. Accept yourself the way you are and are not. All persons are constantly changing at different speeds."

On Learning
"Learn by paying close attention and observing accurately with your senses and intuition. Be patient and give time to "kuka kuka" (talk story) with another, especially the elderly and children. When a person shares anything with you, show your respect and gratitude by accepting at least a little bit. Do not be greedy, and always thank the person for such kindness."

On Creating Aloha In Yourself
"Daily spend time in silence with "Ha". Before starting any project or attempting to resolve a problem, create a context of "Aloha". Be like water, soft and persevering. The tree which is strong and flexible lives longest. The physical universe is kumu loa (great teacher)."

We wish you a Holiday season filled with the Aloha spirit.

HSGA * HAWAIIAN STEEL GUITAR ASSOCIATION
KAMAKA TOM, President
45-600 KAMEHAMEHA HWY * KANEOHE, HI * 96744
PHONE/FAX (808) 235-4742
EMAIL: hsga@lava.net

Homepage URL: www.hsga.org (hsga@lava.net)
Last updated: 07/23/02 by Gerald Ross (gbross@umich.edu)