Hae Hawaii Ohana
Project

According to the late Pono Shim, well-respected kumu and beloved cultural practitioner of Hawaii, one interpretation of the word for “family” (ohana) is rooted in “hana.” Kahu Shim shared the teachings of Aunty Pilahi Paki, relaying that “hana,” commonly translated as “work,” can be better understood through a Hawaiian perspective as “a call to act or do something.” He broke down the components of the word, expaining:

When we “ha” (breathe), we “na” (release, or set free) through “akahai” (grace), leaving it better than we found it. “O” refers to “of,” or “eternal/eternity.” So, when we “na,” we unleash never-ending grace[...]

All the members of an ohana, hana forever. The concept is to honor each person’s hana. We have space for people to expand, recover, discover, innovate, and improve their hana. We honor and need each other’s hana—that’s ohana.

While today we tend to associate the word “ohana” with the nuclear family of the contemporary Western world, we know that for generations many of us choose our ohana through the work we do together, the dreams and love we share for our beloved nation, and our dedication to the values of pono and aloha.

We proudly stand together as ohana and hold our Hae Hawaii in defiance of erasure, and with respect for what we know to be true: We are not Americans!