Uwē Ka Lani, Ola Ka Honua

UWĒ KA LANI, OLA KA HONUA. #2888*
When the sky weeps, the earth lives.
When it rains the earth revives.

Uwē ka lani, when the heaven weeps; ola ka honua, the earth lives. This ʻōlelo noʻeau reminds us of the importance of wai (freshwater) in creating and sustaining life on earth. The word ola means to live, to thrive, to be vibrant; it also means health and healing, and so in this ʻōlelo noʻeau we remember that all of these things are made possible through wai, through our freshwater resources. 

In our mele (songs or chants), included below, we see and explore wai in its many forms. From the moisture gathering in our ʻōpua (billowy clouds) as they bring the ua (rain) toward our kuahiwi (mountain), to the wailele (waterfalls) that cascade down sending kahawai (streams) through our valleys, to the punawai (springs) that send fresh, clean water up from our aquifer that will allow us to inu wai (to drink water). In every step, we are reminded of our kuleana as kānaka to recognize, care for, and steward wai in all its forms. It, truly, is essential to life. 

We see this reflected in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language) as well. Our word for wealth and riches, waiwai, emphasizes the root word, wai, demonstrating the importance of freshwater to the Hawaiian people. If you have water, you are wealthy and you have the opportunity to steward abundance. In addition, it is not uncommon to hear someone share their name as well as the names of the ʻāina (land) and wai in their area when introducing one’s self.

For example, “Aloha! ʻO wau ʻo Kamuela. He kama nō hoʻi wau a ka ʻāina kaulana ʻo Kailua nei, he ʻāina i hanai ʻia e ka wai momona o Kapunawaiolaokapalai.” 

[Aloha! I am Kamuela. I, indeed, am a child of these famous lands of Kailua, and (I was) raised, fed, and nourished by the abundant land and water of Kapunawaiolaokapalai (the healing, life-giving spring of Kapalai)].

It is understood that both land and water hānai (feed, raise, and shape) us and that oftentimes we begin to embody their same characteristics.

As we reflect on the importance of wai to our ʻāina and ourselves, let us also ponder ways we can better care for and steward this precious resource. 

Inquiry

• Why is wai (freshwater) important? How does it feed, nourish, and sustain us as people? How does wai affect the health of ʻāina?
• Where are the freshwater resources around you? What is your connection to them? Would you say the wai (streams, springs, etc.) in your area are healthy? Why or why not? 
• How do you currently mālama (care for) our freshwater resources? 
• What are practical ways we can better care for our freshwater resources? What might be the outcome of doing this?
• How might caring for our wai bring a healthier balance and well-being for you? How about for your family or community?

Vocabulary

• Lōkahi: unity, agreement, harmony
• Uwē: To cry, weep
• Lani: Sky,  heaven
• Ola: Life, health, well-being; living; recovered; healed
• Honua: Earth
• Lā: Sun
• ʻŌpua: Puffy, billowy cloud
• Ua: Rain
• Kuahiwi: Mountain
• Wailele: Waterfall
• Kahawai: Stream
• Punawai: Fresh water spring
• Inu wai: To drink water
• Kuleana: Responsibility, privilege, authority
• Mālama: To care forKilo: To observe, watch closely

Mele

Mele Wai

Hoʻokuaʻāina did not compose and do not have the rights to this mele.

Aia I Hea Ka Wai A Kāne?

Reflection Questions:

• How do this mele help strengthen your understanding of the movement of wai (freshwater) in our islands?

Possible Extension Activities

*Pukui, M. K., & Varez, D. (1983). ʻŌlelo Noʻeau: Hawaiian Proverbs & poetical sayings. Honolulu, Hawai’i: Bishop Museum Press.

**Retrieved from Welina Mānoa website.

Content on this page was written and compiled by Danielle Espiritu, Education Specialist