Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Our Kupuna

Our elders. Our ancestors. Our kupuna.

In the Hawaiian Dictionary (Pukui and Elbert), one of the definitions of kupuna is "Starting point, source; growing."

I believe that we allow them to live again every time we sing a mele, every time we dance a hula. We breathe life into their words, illustrate them with a hula, share their manaʻo with the world again. It is a gift.

If we donʻt take time to honor the kupuna when we sing or dance, what are we doing? Just going thru the motions?

Respect. Respect. Respect.

Our source. We stand on their shoulders. We are here because of them.

Respect.

It all comes down to that simple word.

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