`A`ohe hana nui ke alu `ia - No work is to large when done by all

Aloha e everyone!

The last week has been pretty amazing! My film, Aloha Life, received the Golden Kahuna for Best Hawaiian Film at the Honolulu International Film Festival. Many of us who worked on the film joined filmmakers from all over the world to celebrate the power and beauty of film. I was struck by how so many people use this medium in so many varied ways to translate their messages, their stories, and their passions.

I will be honest, I never dreamed of being able to share the Aloha Life on film. When the Brian Rusch, the director, first told me he wanted to make a film, I had no idea how we could accomplish it.. I mean A MOVIE!

After I meditated on it, I felt it was a way that I would be able to reach people throughout the world that I may never be able to otherwise. I sat down with Brian and we reviewed my writings and seminars. His goal was to make Aloha Life into a Docu-seminar. Bring in the beauty and power of Hawaii while also conveying the message of my ancestors.

When we started actual filming, I was amazed at the process. I am grateful to Brian for assembling such a hard working and knowledgeable crew. From our initial meetings to when I watched the first screening -- every person did their part to bring this project to the world. I know now to have faith in others. As we say in Hawai'i, `A`ohe hana nui ke alu `ia or No work is to large when done by all. I am eternally grateful to Anthony, Gabriela, Matt, Zack, Jason, Mariah, Bianca and most especially Brian for helping to make this dream come true.

Getting leid by a Hawaiian

One of the most well-known traditions in Hawai'i is that of being presented with a lei. While presenting someone with a lei is an age-old custom throughout the world, there is something about that garland in Hawai'i which evokes a sensuality and meaning that one can truly feel as being inherently "hawaiian".

I think that the reason the lei is so meaningful to us in Hawai'i is that for centuries, we were isolated from other cultures so the tradition took on a deeper significance than in other places. We have leis to mark milestones in our lives - leis of love, of welcoming, of sadness, of honor. We use them to mark those times in our lives that mark the passing of ages - births, graduations, weddings, deaths.

Hawaiian leis can be created out of various things. Some of the most spectacular are those that are meant to be lasting. These are created out of feathers, beads, shells and sometimes teeth. Historically they have been bestowed upon our ali'i or ruling class.

Most of us know now of the flower leis and more than likely are most familiar with those made of orchids or plumeria. These are newer flowers in the creation of leis. Historically, the meaning of each flower that goes into a lei has as much meaning as the lei itself. Each island has a flower that it is known for and that has a deep, long history. For example, the island of Keawe (aka Hawai'i's big island) is most noted for the Lehua flower that grows on the Ohia tree. Legend has it that the goddess Pele met a handsome warrior named Ohia and she wished to marry him. Unfortunately Ohia had already pledged his love to Lehua. Pele was furios that she would be refused so she turned Ohia into a twisted, gnarly tree. Lehua was devastated but the other gods took pity on her. They turned her into a blossom that grew on the Ohia tree so that the two lovers could be together for eternity. Quite a fiery love story, no?

Each of our Hawaiian flowers that goes into the making of our leis has an equally powerful meaning. My good friend, Ried Kapo Ku recently released a CD of Hawaiian chants and and the song Ka Haku Mele Aloha O Hawai'i explains each flower and its meaning to each Hawai'ian island.

Receiving a lei is an honored tradition. Leis are for men, women and children of all ages. In short, it is good to get leid by a Hawaiian!