E ʻōpū aliʻi. #369
Have the heart of a chief.
[Have the kindness, generosity and even temper of a chief.]
E wehe i ka umauma i ākea. #388
Open out the chest that it may be spacious.
[Be generous and kind to all.]
He aliʻi ka laʻi, he haku na ke aloha. #532
Peace is a chief, the lord of love.
[Where peace is, there love abides also.]
He aliʻi ke aloha, he kilohana e paʻa ai. #536
Love is like a chief, the highest prize to hold fast to.
He aliʻi ke aloha, he ʻohu no ke kino. #537
Love is chiefly, an adornment for the body.
[Uttered by Hiʻiaka in a chant to the sister of Lohiʻau.]
He ʻohu ke aloha, ʻaʻohe kuahiwi kau ʻole.#852
Love is a mist, there is no mountaintop that it does not settle upon.
[Love comes to all.]
He ʻolina leo kā ke aloha. #862
A joyousness is in the voice of love.
[Love speaks in a gentle and joyous voice, no in harshness or gruffness.]
He pūnāwai kahe wale ke aloha. #936
Love is a spring that flows freely.
[Love is without bounds and exists for all.]
Haʻahaʻa (humility)
#284 E hoʻi e peʻe i ke ōpū weuweu me he moho la. E ao o haʻi ka pua o ka mauʻu iā ʻoe.
Go back and hide among the clumps of grass-like the wingless rail. Be careful not to break even a blade of grass.
[Return to the country to live a humble life and leave no trace to be noticed and followed. So said the chief Kealiʻiwahamana to his daughter when he was dying. Later used as advice to a young person not to be aggressive or show off.]
#361 E noho iho i ke ōpū weuweu, mai hoʻokiʻekiʻe.
Remain among the clumps of grasses and do not elevate yourself.
[Do not put on airs, show off, or assume an attitude of superiority.]
#367 E ʻoluʻolu i ka mea i loaʻa.
Be contented with what one has.
Source: Pukui, M. K. (1983). ‘Ōlelo No‘eau Hawaiian Proverbs & Poetical Sayings. Honolulu, Hawaii: Bishop Museum Press.
ʻŌlelo Noeau compiled by Johanna Kapōmaikaʻi Stone and Danielle Espiritu
