Aloha & Welcome

Aloha & welcome to the Ola Lokahi blog!  I hope you enJOY my “talk story,” helpful hints, and guest blogs.  Ola Lokahi (and it’s branch, Warriors Living Well) was co-created by Susan Pualani Alden.

This mission of Ola Lokahi is to assist in planetary healing by empowering people to heal, awaken, and discover new pathways of inspiration.  “Ola lokahi” refers to the the sacred connection that exist among all that surrounds us.  The words may be Hawaiian, but the concept is one that is central to traditional native cultures throughout the world.  Understanding the essence and deep meaning of ola lokahi can be helpful to anyone, anytime – from the doing the most mundane daily tasks to making crucial life decisions.  As we embrace ola lokahi, we naturally flow into a life of greater peace, joy, and harmony.  To read more about Ola Lokahi and why I chose it to represent my work, click here.

In sharing my thoughts with you, I hope to honor the wisdom that has been shared with me. From time to time, I like to share my limited knowledge of the exquisite Hawaiian language, because I believe it carries a depth of meaning, wisdom, and vibration that often surpasses the English language.  Please know I do so with sincere love and respect for ‘olelo Hawai’i.  (Kahako/macrons have been omitted only because I’ve not figured out how to do them on Word Press.  Because of this, I recognize there may be confusion for Hawaiian speakers).  I openly invite guidance/constructive critique, and sharing via the comment boxes beneath individual posts.

With never-ending gratitude to my teachers, mentors, friends, and family ~

Susan Pualani Alden

For information on classes, products, and services I provide, please go to the Ola Lokahi website at www.mindbodyaloha.com.

We have all kinds of natural cycles to be aware of

A wonderful article from a friend and a radiant student of Yoga, Ayurveda, and Dharma.  Mahalo, Dawa for the loving reminder to tune into our body’s natural flow!

We have all kinds of natural cycles to be aware of.

Tea, Love, & Connection

Seeing as hot tea is ever-flowing in our house, particularly during the long Washington winter, we recently decided to create a tea bar in our home.  It all started when I found a great shelf with perfect tea storage and placed it over the buffet in our dining room.  I must admit, this “buffet,” otherwise described as a set of dresser drawers, was also a changing table at one time.  Not long ago a friend from Hawaii came to visit and recognized my re-purposed dining room furniture saying “Wasn’t that in your son’s room before?  I think I changed a few diapers on that thing!”  I am a practical person, and having moved 8 times in the past 15 years, I try to only buy furniture that works in most any space.  With my newly hung shelf and a clean and cleared-off “buffet,” I re-purposed this the piece yet again.

The next step involved clearing out an antique pie safe where I have been storing tea products for some time.  As I pulled out tea pots, cups, and tea tins, I realized that I had quite an abundance of tea… far beyond what I had realized.  It was a true testimony to the abundance available when we simply open our eyes to what already exists!  Only by creating a new and open space (the tea bar), was I inspired to explore what had been lying untouched in the shadows of those back shelves.

As I took inventory of my tea and began placing it in it’s new home, I realized I had far more than I personally needed.  I began to envision how and with whom to share my glorious tea abundance!  Tea is a very personal drink.  In many cultures, there are elaborate rituals around tea, like the exquisite tea ceremonies of Japan and China that I’ve been blessed to experience.  Samurai warriors were often rewarded tea by their shogun for their courageous acts in battle and also used tea in their meditation practices.  Throughout the world, and in our home as well, there is great reverence for the second most widely consumed beverage in the world.  (Tea is second only to water, believe it or not… though probably not here in the state of Washington, the birthplace of Starbucks).

After separating out some teas I’d later gift to others, I had my new tea bar all set up.  As I stepped back to take a picture of the finished project, I realized a good portion of my adult life was now proudly displayed – in the name of tea.  There on the shelf was a teapot I bought about 17 years ago, on a random outing in New York when I was a cadet at West Point.  A few years after that, I received a teapot and cups for a wedding present.  Fast forward a few more years and in comes a teapot-for-one, just the right size for a new mother who spent a lot of time alone with her baby while her husband was away in Afghanistan.  Along the way, I was gifted with my first handmade cast iron teapot from my mother, a ceramic beauty crafted in Maui by a hanai (adopted) sister, and other treasured gifts.  I’ve bought special teapots for myself as well, two of which marked very pivotal times in my life.

As if the pots didn’t tell enough of the journey, the tea itself added some punctuation to the whole story.  My tea collections include tea from Savannah to Thailand and even some special tea that I grew, harvested, and blended at our home in Hawai’i.  You’ll also notice a special tea towel that was artfully hand-crafted by Kamaile Puaoi, a dear friend, artist, teacher, and phenomenal healer.*  Lastly, you might notice the six shiny tins crowning the shelf – the newest members of my tea ohana.

I am happy to say that over the Christmas holidays, I connected with some kindred spirits, the brilliant co-creators of Teamotions Teas.  Teamotions is an emotional wellness company offering a selection of teas (currently 9 different fusions) that are deliciously blended with adaptogen herbs that help the body cope with stress and foster emotional and physical well-being.  This line of teas was inspired when one of the founders, Rachelle Crawford (a military spouse), was grieving the loss of her twin baby girls.  Her sister (and Teamotions Co-Founder) Crystal Tenpenny said, “I wish there was something I could put in your tea to make you feel better!”  Out of immeasurable turmoil, Teamotions was soon birthed, a beautiful legacy to Aubrey and Ellie and a great reminder that we can “kulia i ka nu ‘u” (strive for the summit) even in the midst of our deepest pain.*

Each Teamotions blend is all-natural and hand-crafted in small batches with the utmost integrity using organic and fair-trade ingredients.  Teamotions believes that well-being starts on the inside and is ultimately acquired by regular expressions of compassion, serving others, cultivating healthy relationships, being thankful, practicing patience, and treating ourselves and others with kindness and respect.  These principles are indeed the essence of aloha and one of the reasons I’m so passionate about sharing these exquisite teas.

Throughout the year, I will be hosting tea tastings in my home and at other locations as an Independent Wellness Consultant for Teamotions.  Tea tastings are free of charge, FUN, and educational.   Go to the Ola Lokahi Face Book page to find out when the next public tea tasting is happening.  If you are interested in hosting a tasting at your home, your workplace, church, or for a community group,  please contact me (Susan) at olalokahi@gmail.com.  I look forward to sharing with you how these delicious blends can transform a simple cup of tea into a true healing experience!  To learn more about Teamotions or to order online, visit www.mindbodyaloha.com.

Aloha & may your cup runneth over!

Susan Alden

*Kamaile’s unique, hand-crafted tea towels are available on Etsy.  Click here to see her beautiful tea towels, pillows, and fun signs all with a super special Hawaiian touch! 

Tips for Talking to Children About Violence

Even though we didn’t have a TV on at all today, the news of the tragic school shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School upset my 10 year old beyond what one might expect.  Simply overhearing a brief conversation (that amounted to “Can you believe the horrific tragedy that happened this morning?”) was enough to rock his world.  When the person who was speaking to me walked away, my child had a million questions.  I can’t imagine what it would have been like if he’d actually seen or read a news report!  Thank you to Brene Brown for sharing a great resource list regarding how to help children deal with distressing news.  Even though we strictly monitor media at our house, I know that when my 5 and 10 year old return to their elementary school on Monday, there will be talk on the bus and at school about this deeply upsetting event.  I found the article below from the National Association of School Psychologists very helpful to review.

Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers

High profile acts of violence, particularly in schools, can confuse and frighten children who may feel in danger or worry that their friends or loved-ones are at risk. They will look to adults for information and guidance on how to react. Parents and school personnel can help children feel safe by establishing a sense of normalcy and security and talking with them about their fears.

1. Reassure children that they are safe. Emphasize that schools are very safe. Validate their feelings. Explain that all feelings are okay when a tragedy occurs. Let children talk about their feelings, help put them into perspective, and assist them in expressing these feelings appropriately.
2. Make time to talk. Let their questions be your guide as to how much information to provide. Be patient. Children and youth do not always talk about their feelings readily. Watch for clues that they may want to talk, such as hovering around while you do the dishes or yard work. Some children prefer writing, playing music, or doing an art project as an outlet. Young children may need concrete activities (such as drawing, looking at picture books, or imaginative play) to help them identify and express their feelings.
3. Keep your explanations developmentally appropriate.
   • Early elementary school children need brief, simple information that should bebalanced with reassurances that their school and homes are safe and that adults are there to protect them. Give simple examples of school safety like reminding children about exterior doors being locked, child monitoring efforts on the playground, and emergency drills practiced during the school day.
   • Upper elementary and early middle school children will be more vocal in asking questions about whether they truly are safe and what is being done at their school. They may need assistance separating reality from fantasy. Discuss efforts of school and community leaders to provide safe schools.
   • Upper middle school and high school students will have strong and varying opinions about the causes of violence in schools and society. They will share concrete suggestions about how to make school safer and how to prevent tragedies in society. Emphasize the role that students have in maintaining safe schools by following school safety guidelines (e.g. not providing building access to strangers, reporting strangers on campus, reporting threats to the school safety made by students or community members, etc.), communicating any personal safety concerns to school administrators, and accessing support for emotional needs.
4. Review safety procedures. This should include procedures and safeguards at school and at home. Help children identify at least one adult at school and in the community to whom they go if they feel threatened or at risk.
5. Observe children’s emotional state. Some children may not express their concerns verbally. Changes in behavior, appetite, and sleep patterns can indicate a child’s level of anxiety or discomfort. In most children, these symptoms will ease with reassurance and time. However, some children may be at risk for more intense reactions. Children who have had a past traumatic experience or personal loss, suffer from depression or other mental illness, or with special needs may be at greater risk for severe reactions than others. Seek the help of mental health professional if you are at all concerned.
6. Limit television viewing of these events. Limit television viewing and be aware if the television is on in common areas. Developmentally inappropriate information can cause anxiety or confusion, particularly in young children. Adults also need to be mindful of the content of conversations that they have with each other in front of children, even teenagers, and limit their exposure to vengeful, hateful, and angry comments that might be misunderstood. (Personally I think this IS EXTREMELY important!  Parents often take for granted what children pick up from TV and conversations, even when it seems they aren’t really watching or listening)!
7. Maintain a normal routine. Keeping to a regular schedule can be reassuring and promote physical health. Ensure that children get plenty of sleep, regular meals, and exercise. Encourage them to keep up with their schoolwork and extracurricular activities but don’t push them if they seem overwhelmed.

Suggested Points to Emphasize When Talking to Children

• Schools are safe places. School staff work with parents and public safety providers (local police and fire departments, emergency responders, hospitals, etc.) to keep you safe.
• The school building is safe because … (cite specific school procedures).
• We all play a role in the school safety. Be observant and let an adult know if you see or hear something that makes you feel uncomfortable, nervous or frightened.
• There is a difference between reporting, tattling or gossiping. You can provide important information that may prevent harm either directly or anonymously by telling a trusted adult what you know or hear.
• Don’t dwell on the worst possibilities. Although there is no absolute guarantee that something bad will never happen, it is important to understand the difference between the possibility of something happening and the probability that it will affect our school.
• Senseless violence is hard for everyone to understand. Doing things that you enjoy, sticking to your normal routine, and being with friends and family help make us feel better and keep us from worrying about the event.
• Sometimes people do bad things that hurt others. They may be unable to handle their anger, under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or suffering from mental illness. Adults (parents, teachers, police officers, doctors, faith leaders) work very hard to get those people help and keep them from hurting others. It is important for all of us to know how to get help if we feel really upset or angry and to stay away from drugs and alcohol.
• Stay away from guns and other weapons. Tell an adult if you know someone has a gun or weapon.
• Violence is never a solution to personal problems. Students can be part of the positive solution by participating in anti-violence programs at school, learning conflict mediation skills, and seeking help from an adult if they or a peer is struggling with anger, depression, or other emotions they cannot control.

NASP has additional information for parents and educators on school safety, violence prevention, children’s trauma reactions, and crisis response at http://www.nasponline.org. ©2006, National Association of School Psychologists, 4340 East West Highway #402, Bethesda, MD 20814

My heartfelt thoughts, prayers, and love go out to those who’ve lost loved ones in this school shooting, the entire Sandy Hook Elementary community, and to all who’ve suffered due to senseless violence through the years.  At times like this, I believe it is crucial to channel our collective grief and anger into positive and healing efforts – starting right within our own homes.

My Top 5 Essential Oils for Cold & Flu Season

‘Tis the season for colds, flu, and for many, holiday stress.  I personally have an arsenal of essential oils for every occasion and ailment.  Recently I was asked by several families what the must-haves were for this time of year.  I did my best to narrow my favorites down to the top 5 (not in any particular order) from Young Living.*  Disclaimer:  I’ve personally been using essential oils almost daily for over 15 years and have been using them with my children ever since they were infants, so we can handle using the oils undiluted.  In general, some of the methods I describe below are NOT recommended for first time users, people with skin sensitivities, or small children.  Consult your health care provider and/or your own wisdom for what is right for you and your family.

*Young Living Oils are premium, therapeutic essential oils.  I have tried many high-quality companies, but I continue to come back to YL which I’ve used for well over a decade, professionally and with my own family.  I particularly like their blends.  They also have a great, user friendly website and excellent customer service. 

Peppermint ~ It’s great for headaches, reducing fever, digestion, breaking up mucus, increasing vitality, and making yummy holiday recipes!   When my kids have a fever and/or headache, this is what I grab first.  I put it right on their upper forehead close to the hairline (away from eyes) and at the occiput (back of the head/at the base of the skull).  It gives a nice cooling sensation which the kids (and adults) really like, and it helps calm fever.  (Fevers are the body’s way of fighting infections.  Fever-reducing medications can actually prolong illness)!  For mucus & stuffy noses, put some drops in your hands and INHALE, then rub it on the chest!  For poor digestion/upset stomach, rub it on the belly or even ingest a few drops.* A great kid tip is to put a few drops in a bit of yogurt or ice cream for a minty treat that is good for the belly and for breaking up yucky mucus.  *Only ingest premium oils that are safe for consumption!  For nausea, rub peppermint on wrists and/or the bellly.  Peppermint WILL irritate the eyes, so be careful, especially with kids who might accidentally rub their eyes.  You can always diffuse into the air if nothing else with a low heat/no heat diffuser (sold by YL and other reputable companies), a wise investment if you are going to incorporate oils into your personal wellness regime.

R.C.™ ~ This is a Young Living blend that is FABULOUS!!!  It is my savior when anyone (from keiki to kupuna) are stuffed up and coughing.  Use it in place of cough syrup and to help break up mucus.  Rub it right on the chest (dilute if you have a skin sensitivity or are a first-timer with this blend).  It has a nice, kind of earthy smell that is very grounding.  Young Living does not list this one as as “dietary.”  However, my family has also used this one internally.  A quick drop on the tongue has proved to calm our middle-of-the-night sniffles and coughs.   My favorite kid trick with this one…. put a little on your finger and gently touch their tongue.  If they use a pacifier or suck their thumb, you can put it right on that too.  At first they might turn up their nose, but soon they’ll be asking for more when they make a connection to being able to breath easy!  As with all of these oils, one  little drop goes a long way.

Peace & Calming® ~ This is another blend my family LOVES!  It is truly amazing… a favorite among many, particularly children.  I’ve used Peace & Calming® (as well as Gentle Baby™) with my kids since they were just weeks old.  It’s very mild and pleasant- aiding in sleep and general calmness.  (I often carry it in my purse.  It comes in handy more times than I can count).  Rub it on the belly, chest, feet, neck…wherever you feel drawn to use it.  I often just place a few drops in my kids hands and let them put it where they feel they need it.  Kids are SUPER intuitive.  They know their bodies more than we give them credit!  Who doesn’t need more Peace & Calm, particularly during the holiday season???

Thieves® ~  This is another must-have blend for the cold & flu season!  It is an excellent preventative and a great go-to during a health crisis.  It smells very spicy (cinnamon, clove, etc.).  Interestingly enough, Thieves® was created based on research about four thieves in France who covered themselves with cloves, rosemary, and other aromatics while robbing plague victims! This proprietary blend has been university tested for its cleansing abilities.  It is a rather strong oil, best used on the soles of the feet to start.  Thieves® may also be taken internally as it a serious anti-microbial, very effective for clearing out a nasty virus or bacterial infection.  You can even clean with this powerful oil by adding it to your spray bottle, laundry, dishwater, etc.  YL makes various Thieves® products specifically for cleaning, but it’s also simple to make your own.  A really effective and spirited way to use Thieves® during the holiday to season is to diffuse it into the air.  This helps keep your home healthy when you are hosting events and keeps germs from spreading when someone in the household is sick.  Again, it is important to use the right kind of diffuser so as not to damage the therapeutic properties of the oil.

Valor® ~ This is another Young Living Blend that I love!  It is an everyday oil for me.  Valor® is an empowering combination that works with both the physical and spiritual aspects of the body.  I find it to be very grounding and to assist with mental clarity as well as boosting feelings of strength and courage.  Valor® has proven effective with energy alignment in the body and is therefore helpful in overall wellness.  I’ve heard health professional refer to it as a “chiropractor in a bottle.”  I know several Warriors Living Well who’ve headed off to combat zones with a bottle of Valor® in their rucksack!  To me, the ingredients make this blend a holiday favorite:  spruce, rosewood, blue tansy, and frankincense in a base of almond oil.  It smells heavenly!  You can get it in a 15 mL bottle or as a roll-on.  I personally like the roll-on.  I use it in lieu of synthetic perfumes and ALWAYS get complimented.  It’s nice when nearby people get a gentle dose of aromatherapy.  I’m always amazed at how it shifts those around me into a more pleasant state of awareness.  (My little secret when I go into social situations that may be challenging or stressful)!

Again as a general rule, it is always best to dilute essential oils when using them for the first time or with small children.  I like to use organic coconut oil as a carrier which easy to find at the grocery or even the drug store.  Any vegetable oil or unscented lotion will work as well.  Another safe way to explore essential oils for the first time is to use them on the feet (diluted or undiluted).  The soles of the feet are an effective way to use any essential oils at anytime as they correspond to every organ in the body as well as the spine.  You can also add these oils to bath water…a GREAT way to introduce them to kids for the first time.

If you are interested in purchasing these or other high-quality essential oils.  I invite you to explore purchasing options via my website:

http://www.mindbodyaloha.com/shoparomatherapy.htm

I wish you all a very merry holiday season and a bright and beautiful new year!

Aloha & Mahalo,

Susan Pualani Alden

Me, Green Beret Envy & My “Magic Carpet”

About ten years ago I found myself in MAJOR transition.  After serving as an active duty Army logistics officer, I traded in my captain’s bars for a Boppy pillow.  At the time, I thought I was more than ready to be a mom.  At 28 years old, I had successfully navigated my way through West Point and the challenges of serving in the male-dominated 3rd Infantry and 82nd Airborne Divisions.  With all my “expertise” in the male arena, I truly thought raising a little boy would be a piece of cake.

I quickly realized it was NOT a piece of cake at all.  Perhaps I was a bit overconfident out the start gate.  Just six weeks after our little man was born, my husband left for 60 days of training.  I suddenly found myself home alone and in a place where my thoughts seemed to keep me awake almost as much as our crying baby. At that point, I can remember stepping back and looking at my life as if it was a split screen on CNN.  On one side there was me with pressed BDU’s and shiny jump boots.  On the other side of the screen was me in sweats with hair that hadn’t seen a brush in two days.  I have to admit, there were some similarities.  The 4:00 am calls to come in to work for a random piss test where replaced by a little boy crying at 4:00 am to have his diaper changed.

Don’t get me wrong.  I was NOT feeling sorry for myself.  I was completely baffled that I was feeling anything less than overjoyed at being a stay-at-home mom.  In fact, I was downright frustrated that I was remotely depressed about even the whispers of post-partum depression!  Like any good military officer, I had planned this pregancy and birth, down to the last stitch of new bedding and useless wipe warmer. We had strategized our finances and started our son’s college fund before he ever saw the light of day!

What I had not counted on was how I would feel about not being recognized and rewarded for all my efforts or not being high-fived for surviving another sleepless night.  This is not to say my husband, extended family, and friends were not supportive.  They were extremely loving, understanding, and helpful.  What was different was living in the heart of a military community, just outside the gates of Ft. Bragg, NC, and no longer feeling a part of something “bigger.”  I was no longer standing in front of a formation getting an award for excellent service.  No boss was pulling me into his office to say congrats because I made the promotion list.  No one was even calling me to see if I could swing a quick lunch.  Until looking from the outside to the inside of those ranks, I never realized the extent to which I desired to be seen in those ways.  I wrestled over whether or not being seen by just those baby brown eyes was really enough for me.

During this time my husband had also made a big transition from the “regular Army” to Army Special Forces.  He had earned his green beret after an intense selection process and qualification course.  He had also shined in grueling schools such as SERE, and Ranger school.  I threw a big congratulations party for him when it was all complete, but I can’t deny that there was a part of me that was jealous.  Even while frosting the cake, I remember feeling as pea green as his new beret.  I knew that period of time was challenging for him on every level.  On top of everything else, he was missing out on seeing his newborn baby growing.  For all I knew, he was jealous of me for staying home.  No matter what, at the ended of the day, I knew he was very fulfilled by what he was doing, and as for me….well, I wasn’t yet convinced.

It took some time for me to move through these feelings.  Instead of moving through them in mind, body, and spirit, I chose to work through my issues as I had always done – by just DOING MORE.  As a very sleep-deprived mother I enrolled in grad school.  Six months and about $10,000 later, I dropped out.  I went through a period of perfectionism where I was obsessed with the perfect house, perfect garden, perfect parties….till “perfectionism” just steam-rolled me completely.  There was point where I thought getting back to 6.5 minute miles, was a great idea too…. up until I discovered that giving birth to an 8 pound boy naturally sometimes causes issues “down South.”  I once heard someone call hemorrhoids “balloon friends,” but I can tell you, they are NO damn friend of mine!

Somewhere along the way, I got a grip on myself and realized that doing for the sake of being more was just downright stupid.  It really doesn’t work that way.  This is where yoga stepped up and became the Light that invited me to come on in.  Growing up with a yogi-mom, I had done plenty of yoga before, but I had never experienced yoga.  Despite all the psychotic mind chatter going on in my severely sleep-deprived brain, I heard yoga’s whisper.  I found a class at my local health club (which also had child care… yippie), and I soon became a regular.  Least I forget God’s great sense of humor, my first real yoga teacher, a true master yogi, was a male AND a retired Army first sergeant!

It took me a few classes to move from doing yoga (and wondering how I measured up in a class of studs) to experiencing yoga.  When I made that transition from doing to experiencing yoga, the sense of my own BEING-ness washed over me.  What does that feel like?  The best way I can describe it is using the words of Saint Hildegard of Bingen, a 12 century Christian mystic.  When I am connected and aware of my BEING-ness, I feel “like a feather being transported by the breath of God”. How did that happen?  One word….SURRENDER.  I gave up trying to do or be anything more and than what I was in that very moment.

After many years of practicing yoga, I now identify my yoga mat as my magic carpet.    When I step on it, I surrender.  I’m not doing yoga, I am experiencing my body, mind, and spirit in that moment… a witness to what IS, not what I wish for or what was long ago.  I just witness ME – in the moment.  Whether I step on the mat for five minutes or an hour and fifteen, I have no self- judgment, no expectation, no agenda.  It’s just my magic carpet and ME.

Now I am mom to two little boys.  My husband and I have survived and thrived after more than 15 years in the great “Green Machine” (a.k.a. the Army).  Now, yoga is more of an old friend than an actual practice.  Like any true friend, it brings me back to myself and makes me more of who I am.  I hope that everyone, particularly in our military community (including those who wear the uniform AND those who don’t), have one of these non-judgemental, no expectation/no agenda kind of “friends”…. whether it’s a yoga mat, a fly rod, a bicycle, Zumba, or a comfy pair or running shoes.  When you move your body, you still your mind – pure and simple.  And when you still your mind, you begin to hear the whispers of who you really are.   

Move your body, and your Spirit will follow!

Aloha nui loa & happy “Aloha Wednesday” from the not-so-sunny Pacific Northwest ~

A Veteran's Prayer: "No Soul Left Behind!"

Reblogged from Indigenous Medicine:

My first hour in country and everything appeared to be moving at a heart racing pace.  As an Air Force “Buck” Sergeant, I had to adapt quickly with the rhythm of Vietnam, at least for the first few hours.  It was daylight, and my eyes had to adjust quickly to the blur of everything going on around me as we were ushered off the C5A military transport onto the hot tarmac…

Read more… 1,589 more words

A powerful message from Maka'ala Yates, a brave veteran, master healer, and wise elder~

What does Ola Lokahi mean?

The two Hawaiian words “Ola Lokahi” have layers of meaning that cannot be fully understood until they are felt.  Like many, if not most indigenous cultures, the language of Hawai’i is an oral tradition.  The written form was created in the early 1800’s when missionaries wanted to translate the Bible.  In some cases, the written form does not do justice to the subtle and unique sounds of the Hawaiian language.  Nevertheless, the Hawaiian dictionary offers the following translations (and more) for the word ola:  Life, health, well-being, living, livelihood, alive, to live, thrive.  The word lokahi translates as:  unity, agreement, accord, unison, harmony, in unity.  Therefore, one definition of ola lokahi could be to thrive in harmony.

These words do not mean that we should exist as “love, light, and clueless” (as my mother would say).  Ola lokahi suggests that we recognize we are connected to the whole.  It means that when things are out of balance in our lives, they are out of balance within the whole (and visa-versa); and individually, we must act to restore harmony.  This is not to say collective efforts are unimportant.  Ultimately, restoring balance to the whole, whether it is a family, community, nation, or the planet, requires the conscious choice and participation of all.  However, in reality, we cannot effectively change anyone other than ourselves.  Therefore ola lokahi begins with the individual in every sense of the word.

There are few land masses on the planet that have experienced more upheaval and transformation (for better or worse) than the islands of Hawai’i, and there are few places as culturally diverse as this melting pot in the Pacific.  Nevertheless, there is a general understanding among the collective culture that “Ua Mau Ke Ea O Ka ‘Aina I Ka Pono.”  These words, spoken by King Kamehameha III in 1843 mean “The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness.”  Lest anyone forget these words, first stated at a time when Hawai’i was still a sovereign nation, they are now the motto of the 49th state.  The famous motto, also layered with meaning, is one of the ways the keiki (children) of Hawai’i are taught about ola lokahi.  The public school system has a unique Hawaiian studies program, often taught by kupuna (elders) of the community.  The children learn the history and culture of Hawai’i, all of which is expressed in land-based teachings or, more specifically, that the very life force of the land is dependent upon how we, as caretakers, interact with it.  The children learn that the land reciprocates – positively or negatively – based, not only on one’s actions, but intentions and attitude as well.  One of the first things my child learned from his kupuna in school is that you must always ask permission before taking something from the forest.  He naturally understood this, as if it was more of a reminder than a new teaching.

I believe, at a soul level, we all have an understanding of ola lokahi, regardless of where we come from or what language we speak.  I know that words have immense power and carry a frequency.  (Don’t believe me?  In a second or less, recall something you wish you’d never said and see what feeling it stirs up for you).  The words ola lokahi are not my native tongue, and they may reach people who will never step foot on the sacred ‘aina of Hawai’i.  I am very aware of the ways in which others have used and abused the Hawaiian language.  Still, I choose these words, with a whole-hearted sense of purpose, to convey my message.  My hope is that ola lokahi will spark a deep remembering of how we are all connected to one another and to every single creation in the universe – thus inspiring people to live better lives individually and collectively.

Ola Lokahi represents, not only my life’s purpose and work, it represents my core beliefs.  I intend to embrace, share and teach the wisdom and knowledge that has been shared with me in a way that honors my own roots and the teachers that have blessed me along the way – from keiki to kupuna.  May we all thrive in harmony as a collective symphony offering our music back to the land on which we live.