 Welcome to today's episode of Perspectives on Global Justice with guest, Hercules Hohui. This is your host, Beatrice Cantelmo. What is the true essence of Aloha, and what can the world learn from Aloha's spirit and Kuliana, and how do they benefit from it? Today we will discuss the true essence of Aloha, and what is Gaya Kaur and Kuliana, and what it has to do with it. And I cannot think of a better person to have this conversation with than you. Uncle, uncle, uncle. My Aloha with you comes from my kumo, you know, who taught me. I'm going to say something really that Aloha for me, growing up in the United States, I was colonized with this Aloha, this drawn out thing. It doesn't feel right. It was a tourist thing, and it was all about the money, it was all about, until I learned the essence, the true essence, and where Aloha is from, then I can appreciate it, and I love it. So, my kumu enti fe uera, who is sick right now, but has taught me all I know, and for 24 years I have been her student, and practicing, or not practicing. Practicing to live Aloha, and ho mao kya Aloha, means to perpetuate the practice of Aloha. So, my perpetuation right now is to perpetuate what she taught me, start off with protocol. So, Ehomai is done all the time. It asks for the things from above to come, and the huna, the underlining messages, or it says huna noe hao in the dictionary, it says revealing the lies, the hidden lies, is what it says in the pukui, and I'm like, oh that's deep. And so, mine, I'm going to start off with protocol, and that's what I do everywhere I go, even when I did the men's march back in the 90s, 2000 with Mayor Harris, but yeah, I did this out front with everybody, but to start off by really, that's my pule, or my prayer to Kya Kua. Aloha, Aloha will grow. Aloha, Aloha. What the world means, we know. It's inside out, not outside in. So don't hold back, just let it go. Aloha. Aloha, that is a way more powerful way to share Aloha than the Aloha. Oh, definitely. Because Aloha is stressed that way, because the essence of Aloha is his name, and how did it come about? When Kya Kua said that he was going to make man, he would grab the lepo, or the dirt, even ha, and he was nose to nose with Adam, and that was the beginning of humanity, where the Aloha, the ha, the breath of light, and that's why they say Aloha flows both ways. Aloha is always in and out, in and out. Some people, they say it's Aloha, but all they do is think, think, think. Aloha flows. Yes. And I think for our viewers who are from Hawaii, and even those who are from Hawaii really need to learn more, have a deeper immersion of what the meaning of Aloha means, with the chanting, is it correct to say that what you just did was an Aloha prayer chant? Yeah, it's a prayer to ask for all of the things from above to come down, and to reveal all the hidden secrets, lies, or anything that you're going to take about. And then the second one I did, and it's a protocol for communities in schools of Hawaii, incorporated, it's part of our protocol. We do it everywhere we go. That was given by our Nitenapokaa, written for Families of Domestic Violence, and that one is asking Kiakua to grant us ike ike knowledge, ahonui, patience, and lahi aloha, compassion, so that we may celebrate life. Right. So, yes. Can you imagine if we greeted each other all over the world that way? And that's why we do, when you go to New Zealand, anywhere in the Polynesian family, that's why they greet each other, aloh ike aloh, face to face, share the breath of life. That honors God, and that is the essence of Aloha, to honor him. Aloha is not a word, it's a way of life. It continues to flow through you. So, let's talk a little bit about this flow of life manifested in Hawaii, and also in all the spheres of the world where Hawaii has not reached yet. So, where do you see aloha? I see aloha as far as Tanzania. Africa. Yes, aloha is all over the world, it's in different form, different words, but the true essence of it is all over the world, because when he created humanity, he created everybody the same. So, when the blood quantum came up for the Hawaiian people, that was done by people. That wasn't God's, it wasn't that. And so, in Hawaii, where are the areas where you see the aloha flow stuck? Oh, that's definitely something I want to hear. Okay, and this is truthful. Aloha stops when you on the east side of the island, until you get past Hawaii Kai, and then you get into God's country, then you get a little bit of aloha over there, a lot of aloha. But I think the west side of the island is, and even downtown Honolulu, you know, we took our children to Cades and Shoots one day, that's on Bishop Street, and we went to hand out lathes, and all the kids were giving out lathes, and saying, aloha, aloha, that was our day. And some of the people would not take the layoff and give it back. Really? And the kids were crying. They were hurt, they came up to uncle Rockham, they came in the lay back, they don't like the lathes. I said, that's okay, it's a different culture down here. That's why to expose children that grow up in that lifestyle to the opposite side of it is really strengthening for them. It's a hope for our kids to see reality. Right. When you reach downtown Honolulu, the aloha stopped. You know, there is a little bit, but when the kids are crying because they get in their lathes back, that's like, oh my gosh. Oh, they couldn't even pass the lay because people wouldn't take it. To our viewers who don't know the tradition of the lay, what does the lay signify for aloha in the people of Hawaii? You know, why and people and people of Polynesian cultures share the lay? So all the different lathes have different meanings and stuff, but I think the answer to that one for all people around the world to really envision how aloha is a lay around the world. We have Nale aloha foundation created that lay. Their emblem is a lay around their office, beautiful. But lathes are meant to aloha people. Back then, the flower lathes were very much part of the culture. And of course, they got money from it. But the essence of the lay is to honor people, just honor them with the aina. And when you sew it yourself, your mana or your energy is in that lay. So all the kupunas down at the airport, when they're sewing their lathes, they're so beautiful, go down there and see it. And they're like, hey, you know, it's always aloha. So much aloha there. It's what you're wearing, a type of light. Yes, this is my, well, it's a puka shell and it was, for me, it's part of the ocean. So we are part of the ocean. Yes, we are. Yes, we are, all of us. And we all come from that, you know, the vai aloha. But this represents the bone of the people, the eevee. These are the eevees of whoever lived in here before. That's their bone. That's their structure that keeps them outside safe. So yeah. So for me, Hawaiian jewelry is all I wear, except for these. These are meant, this is from Canada and this one is from Australia. Okay. Two very important people in my life. So you're honoring the importance of their culture and also the Hawaiian culture. Yes. And I am a brand new baby in the Hawaiian culture because, like I said earlier, I grew up colonized and I was, we were told not to speak Hawaiian and when we go church, not to speak English. So, you know, I'm so confused. I was, I was confused as a boy coming up in this world. And it wasn't until after having the keiki and getting all the different experiences of the life from Hotel Street to Waikiki, all that craziness. I ran across a, I became a single father and I had two kids and I was a six month old and a five year old. And my 15 year old was pregnant and she was with her boyfriend's family. And then my girlfriend decided to leave. So there you are. She was like six months old and I'm like, Oh my God. So we don't hear from her for seven months. It's nothing. And then I know she's in prison. So I take my aloha was, Oh my God, I got a, these kids got to know their mom. So my six months old, when she went to the prison, she screamed and kicked and punch, but she wanted nothing to do with her mom, but it had to be, but she had that deprivation of not having come. So to show the aloha, the true essence is coming to say, This is your mom, mommy. And, and through all the visits she finally, you know, was comfortable. And so a lot comes in all kinds of forms. And mine was learning to love our keiki and then learning to aloha everybody. Yeah. And not judge anyone. So the Bible tells us all this stuff. Yeah. In the Bible, yeah, it gives us direction. And so aloha ike aloh to be face to face with someone. And in why am I wherever I go in why am I everyone I see down there. aloha ike aloh. Yeah. It's the honey, you know, face to face. We share the heart. And it's like everywhere in why I'm not. Yeah. And in why Manalo Manalo also. Yeah. And I have to say, you know, some of my family, they're not too, uh, on that stuff. They don't really practice it. But my thing, they're exposed to it. Yeah. Because you're on the living bottom. So it's, it's, it's to honor, honor God. And it's like, every time we do that, it's honoring. And that is the true essence of life. Yeah. So let's take one minute break and we'll be right back. Oh, already. How are you? This is Winston Welch. I am your host of Out and About where every other week, Mondays at three, we explore a variety of topics in our city, state, nation and world and events, organizations, the people that fuel them. It's a really interesting show. We welcome you to tune in and we welcome your suggestions for shows. Um, you got a lot of them out there and we have an awesome studio here where we can get your ideas out as well. So I look forward to you tuning in every other week where we've got some great guests and great topics. You're going to learn a lot. You're going to come away inspired like I do. So I'll see you every other week here at three o'clock on Monday afternoon. Aloha. Hey, Aloha. My name is Andrew Lanning. I'm the host of Security Matters Hawaii airing every Wednesday here on Think Tech Hawaii live from the studios. I'll bring you guests. I'll bring you information about the things in security that matter to keeping you safe, your co-workers safe, your family safe, to keep our community safe. We want to teach you about those things in our industry that, you know, may be a little outside of your experience. So please join me because security matters. Aloha. Welcome back to Perspectives on Global Justice. Think Tech Hawaii. This is your host Beatrice and I'm here with Uncle Hercules Huihui. What does Huihui mean? Huihui is like a gathering or a clan. So it's a large Huihui. So you have a double Huihui. Yes. We actually, it's amazing on how I meet all my cousins because there were two brothers and they had like 21 kids. Oh my goodness. So that's big That's a big, our last night, the guy looked at my shirt. He goes, oh, all right, I've been talking to me for a while. He goes, Huihui, that's your family. I go, yeah. He goes, oh, wait a minute. So he calls my cousin and he goes, I guess somebody for you to talk to or talk to. I go, hello. He goes, who's this? I go, Hercules Huihui. Oh, Uncle. I'm like, oh my God. And I never met this kid until today. I went to the park and he was there and I met him. And he goes, oh, yeah. And it's like, so it's a history. That's really amazing. One of the first memories I have of you was at the state capitol and it was a legislative session. And there you came with this big smile and just your presence. And I said, I have to know this man just because of all the kindness that emanated from you. And then six months later, I learned that you did Santa, you know, like a Hawaiian style Santa Claus, you know, during the holidays. And we had a gathering at the house lesson camp many a night. And I did not know if we were going to have Santa for the children. And I talked to you and I said, I have no money to offer you. But it was really an amazing event because so many people came together to make it happen for the children and the families. And everybody gave a little bit of what they had. And there you came. And it was so hot. But I remember you stayed until it was super dark. And the kids came. They each sat on your lap and they got a gift. But they were enchanted with Santa and a Hawaiian image of Santa. It was just so sweet. And the rest is history. I have so much respect and I value so much. And I don't say that to you as often as I should. But what you said earlier in the show really struck me, the fact that Aloha gets a bit of stock or stops in Honolulu. And because this program talks about social justice and perspectives on, you know, global justice and social justice, I want to talk about Native Hawaiian indigenous people's rights. And I know one of the things I think that anchors me in Hawaii. And I didn't even know I was going to come to Hawaii to live. I was supposed to be here for a month to help a friend of mine. She was not well. And I thought, oh, I can just bring her lumpy couch for a month. And then off, you know, I go. It's been four and a half years. Oh my goodness. But I think that part of what kept me Hawaii, one was really this amazing mana, the energy and wanting to learn. And I think it's the place where you truly feel humble in relationship to the universe. I mean, we are here. We are in the middle of the Pacific, one of the most remote places on earth. And you have this amazing, you know, majestic energy of ocean and of mountains. And one another, there's something very special here. And like I have to understand this better in this lifetime. So I kind of adopted Hawaii, hoping that Hawaii maybe someday will adopt me. But I'm off the tangent. But back into that tangent, one of the things I realized very early on is that for as blessed as Hawaii is and its people, the dynamic of who has power and money and who does not and how that dictates the lives of so many people and how that impacts native Hawaiians is something very difficult to understand for me personally, but also to, you know, it's there is a disconnect there. Yes. And I wonder if you could talk a little bit about that disconnect. And what is your wish for our government and for the people of Hawaii who does not understand aloha, but only understands aloha. And as we move forward to 2019 and we talk about recognition, value and respect of native Hawaiians, rights to pride, cultural identity and culture and tradition, the desire to protect their land and to reclaim land, their natural resources, and the ability to really live sustainable lives. I know that's a very deep reflection here, but I cannot think of someone to have this exchange. It's like for me myself. It's kind of a new thing. The Renaissance came and I went the other way. You know, they were fighting, they were going to the Ilani Palace. They were doing all that and I was too busy being an American, you know, doing everything from dealing drugs, taking drugs, you know, the trafficking world down in hotels. I mean, all of that stuff was part of my life until I came upon this organization called Communities in Schools. And my kumoa, if it were, sat me down. Set the record straight. Yeah, it's like, and then she gave me the values. Malama, Kuliana, Laulima, Kupa'a, Lokahi. So let's talk about these values just a little bit. Okay, so Malama is to really deeply care about a person placed on a thing. If you say you care about the Aina, Malama Aina, and you walk it down the street and you pass rubbish or you walk over rubbish, then that's not Malama. Yeah, you're not Malama Aina. You know, so Malama is true, deep care. So if your Malama people placed on a thing, it sets, it should set your Kuliana, how to take care of that person placed on a thing. So the privilege and the responsibility. It's part of that Chayango, the Hawaiians, Malama, Set the Kuliana. Then together, Laulima, we were hand in hand to create Lokahi harmony. And it all stems from Kupa'a, your mission. What is your mission? So we have to pick that mission and be mission-driven. And so people like Leon Tsu, Uncle Philip, Dr. Kionisai, those are the people that I'm focusing on now. People that really Malama, the poe, the people of Hawaii, because they are the foot soldiers, they're out there and they keep going to Geneva, and they go all over the world and they find people out there that back up what happened to Hawaii and the return of our Aina. But it's so far gone. I mean, people think they'll never be the Hawaiian kingdom again. But Hawaiian kingdom never ended. We still have treaties around the world. When Bill Clinton wrote that thing at the Apology Bill and they put Kingdom of Hawaii, Hawaiian kingdom, the kingdom, they go Kingdom of Hawaii. So it became of that, that name went Kingdom of Hawaii. Do you think he did that on purpose? I'm not sure. Should we ask? That is a question. Was that an intentional, a mindful way? Because you said you were apologizing to the Hawaiian kingdom, or the Kingdom of Hawaii, when in essence you should have been apologizing to the Hawaiian kingdom. And so there's two different entities. I mean, there's two different things. Oh my god. So for me, I think looking at people that are doing things for Hawaii, and for myself, that's why I'm so wrapped up in feeding what's going to happen with legislation and how did all this become? And it was people in power and people making decisions, people writing what it is today. So we need Hawaiians to get into there and write what needs to be. Right. So I can't believe how close we are to the end of our program. So I hope that this is a warm up for many older returns that you can bring to us. You know, the viewers and our Ohana here think that Hawaii. But I want to end this program with one question to you. As we are about to start Hawaiians 2019 legislative session next week, what are the messages that you would like to give to our legislative representatives and to the people of Hawaii, and especially the native Hawaiians? So we think of Malama, Kuliana, and what was the third part of the, I'm learning. Kuliana, Laulima. Laulima, Kupa'a'i in the middle, and loka'i is the whole thing. How do we get loka'i? How do we get loka'i? So thinking about that, you know, that message to our representatives, not just here in Hawaii, but also out there in Washington D.C., we have the amazing Hinoro, we have Ryan Schatz at Case Now, and Tosigaba, and then we talk about Aloha Malama. I know a lot of people, what I want to see in 2019 is stop and listen. Yeah? O'olohe, to the message of the Aina. Our Aina is hurting people, and we have to come together to stop the Aina from hurting. Yeah? No, can't fit 8 million people on this island. They're trying to turn this into Anara, New York. Ah, ole. This is a precious place. This is a sacred land. Yeah? O'olohe, Kupa'a'i in the middle of New Jesus Christ. Yeah, prepare to rate the land righteousness to Kiakua, Jesus Christ. So a lot of you guys got to really dig deeper, and it flows like this, and like that. Yeah? And it goes in that circle. So start one circle for yourself, and try to line up with Kiakua, because he's the only one that can change things. He brings people from death. He levels armies. Yeah? Against armies. He does everything. So my hope is that everybody turn to the Wanchu sauce, which is I'ol, a Wanchu God, and he will lead us. Because without him involved in the Hawaiian movement, yeah? Not going to happen. Because our ancestors would leave that way. It was Aloe Kealo all the time, asking God for all everything, and just taking care of the Aina. Yeah? Our Ahapua'as were very well kept, and no waste, and all that stuff. And I know there's progress, and I know there's plenty people that want to be rich and have the money. Yeah? No need money to be rich. Be rich in the spirit of Kiakua. Because money cannot buy you the kingdom of heaven. Yeah? Aloha. Aloha. And Aloha actually appears in the Bible, the rewritten Sanskrit Bible. Yeah? Where Yahweh appears in the Bible? Over here again. Aloha. Every place where you can. So it is his name, and it is his glory, and we give, we lift him up to him. I mean that's, that's my Aloha, who are these Aina that I live on. Thank you. You're welcome. Aho'iho. Aho'iho. Malamapono. Chillig here. Ah, awesome. Malandui. It's awesome.