Quarter 1: Nani Ke Kalo

Each quarter we focus on one of our core Hawaiian values. A variety of lessons based on the theme have been developed as a resource for our teachers, schools, and mentoring program participants to supplement the hands-on learning that occurs on-site.

Q1: NANI KE KALO - RESPECT

As a main staple of the Hawaiian people, kalo is considered sacred and treated with great respect. To lay the foundation for the year, students are introduced to the mindset and importance of respect and how it relates to all aspects of their lives.

Nani ke kalo, beautiful the taro, is our foundational lesson at Hoʻokuaʻāina that sets the tone for everything that takes place at Kapalai. As the main staple and elder sibling of the Hawaiian people, kalo (taro) was considered sacred. Hence, when working with or preparing kalo to be eaten, great respect must be given and demonstrated. 

We see this in the moʻolelo of Hāloa, one of the Hawaiian creation stories. In it, Wākea and Hoʻohōkūkalani have a child. When it comes time for that child to be born, they find that he, unfortunately, is without life, so they bury the baby outside of the hale. In their mourning, they are consoled when they find that out of the area that the child was buried, came forth the first kalo plant, which they name Hāloanakalaukapalili. Hoʻohōkūkalani becomes pregnant again, this time giving birth to a healthy baby boy, who they also name Hāloa, after his kuaʻana (elder brother). Hāloa the kaikaina (younger brother) becomes the first aliʻi and the progenitor of the Hawaiian people, establishing in the Hawaiian world the familial connection of all Hawaiians to kalo. In the moʻolelo, we are reminded of our kuleana (responsibility, privilege) as kānaka (people) to mālama (care for) kalo, who in turn will feed, care for, and nourish us. 

Everyone’s life has purpose and meaning, therefore, loving, caring for, and respecting oneself is essential to being able to respect anything else. For us at Hoʻokuaʻāina, the phrase “nani ke kalo” reminds us to carry ourselves with great respect. Visitors are challenged to contemplate thoughts about themselves and shift their perspective, if needed, to consider the great value of their own life. All participants are to use the expression “nani ke kalo” as a reminder that they are sacred and must carry themselves accordingly. In addition, this expression is to be used to encourage others, who may not be thinking, speaking, or acting in such a way. After recognizing the value and importance of our own lives, we are then able to respect and care for ʻāina and for others in our families, classes, and community.

INQUIRY QUESTIONS

VOCABULARY

Aloha kekahi i kekahi - Love one another

Aloha kekahi i kekahi is the standard expectation set at Kapalai for how all are to treat one another. This expectation operates by not demanding love and respect from others, but rather by first giving it to others and being confident that it will be returned.

Do the people in your life know how much aloha you have for them? How about the strangers you bump into on any given day? Do they know and experience your aloha?


What does aloha look like? What does it sound like? What does it feel like?

Aloha kekahi i kekahi, the call to love one another, is the standard expectation set at Kapalai. This is no easy task. We all have been faced with the stress and busy-ness of life or have found ourselves in situations where our patience is tested. Unfortunately, it is often most challenging to be loving and compassionate to others in these moments, especially those who are closest to us. While difficult, these situations also provide amazing opportunities to demonstrate true aloha as we choose to put our best selves forward.


Through this ʻōlelo noʻeau we are reminded of the importance of consistently demonstrating aloha to others. It does not say that we should only aloha kekahi i kekahi sometimes or when we feel like it or when it is convenient. Rather, the call is to love one another always, even in moments when it is difficult. Rather than demanding love and respect or withholding our love and compassion until it is earned, we are challenged to take the first step in sharing our aloha.


All of this builds on the foundation of Nani Ke Kalo where we are reminded that our lives have intrinsic value and purpose. Once we learn to truly respect ourselves, we can begin to respect and honor others, and it is from this place that aloha flows.

INQUIRY QUESTIONS

VOCABULARY

Ua Ola Loko i Ke Aloha - Love gives life within

Love is imperative to one’s mental and physical welfare.

Think back to a time when you felt truly cared for, valued, respected, and included.
Who was involved? What did they do? What did they say?
 How did their words and actions affect your thoughts, emotions, and behavior?
How has this shaped or affected your life?

Our words and actions have incredible power. Something as simple as a word of encouragement or a friendly act of service, given at the right moment, can change the course of a person’s life. 

The ʻōlelo noʻeau, ua ola loko i ke aloha, love gives life within, reminds us of the healing and life-giving power of aloha, in its many expressions. The word ola can mean life, health, well-being; healed, and even recovered. To think that our actions have the ability to bring physical and emotional healing to others is an amazing thing. 

If we establish that everyone is deserving of love and respect, what can we do to demonstrate a deeper aloha for ourselves and for one another? Furthermore, how might these expressions not only be life giving to us personally, but also bring ola (life, health, well-being) to our families and our communities?

INQUIRY QUESTIONS

VOCABULARY