our stories have been integral to that survival-
Moʻolelo are a precious resources. For the Kanaka ʻŌiwi of Hawaiʻi, weʻve been very fortunate to have many moʻolelo left to us by our kupuna (ancestors). Many of us today are able to see the importance of these moʻolelo as they have served as the kahua (base) in the revitalization of ʻōlelo, culture, natural resource management, etc.
1bsences in our character, or biology, or intellect. And it 1 ,·v,·n further. Rather than see lower life expectancy, employ-111 111d education rates, and higher rates of homelessness, sub-In 11,, .iliuse, and suicide as being rooted in generations of sustained u I 11111•nlional colonial assaults on all aspects of our lives and iden-111 tr., we're blamed for our supposed lack of basic human decency.
Generational trauma- The results of abuse, learned behavior, and having a false native pushed upon indigenous peoples.
Other stories are not so good. These are imposed upon us from outside. They belong to the colonizing populations that claim and dominate our homelands-populations from which many of us are also descended and with which we must navigate our complex rela-tions as well.
Thereʻs a lot of danger in enforcing stories on others or having a certain narrative being forced upon us. Stories can be used as a means of controlling or being controlled. This is why while learning from other and being openminded to different perspectives is important, so is creating our own understanding of stories and ʻike.
It doesn' t sou n dso good . We ared oin gokayw ithout i t. We can get alongw itho u t thatkindofthing. Tak e it backCallth at story back.:"But,ofcourse, it wastoo late. Foronceast or y istold,it can no tbe calledbackOncetold , it i s loosein the world
This story reminds me of the Hawaiian proverb,"I ka ʻōlelo no ke ola, ika ʻōlelo no ka make."- Puke ʻŌlelo Noʻeau (In word there is life and in words there is death). Being conscious of the power we release in to the world is important. Intention is essential when telling stories, with our words and actions.
h rou gh mylanguageIunderstandI ambeingspokento,I'mnotthe one speaking. Thewordsarecomingfrommany tonguesandmouths ofOkanaganpeopl eandthelandarou n d them
I think this is a very powerful message. When we take on the kuleana (privilege/responsibility) of storytelling, we become vessels for our ʻāina and kupuna (ancestors) to share lessons, values, morals & practices through us. This idea helps us to understand one of the reasons that storytelling is important. Through moʻolelo places and people live on within us.
sto riescan control ou r lives, forthere is apart ofmeth athasneverbeen able to m ovep astthese stor ies,a p artof me thatwillb echainedto th es estoriesas lo ngas
Stories create us; it is a major part of self identity and something that we are always tied to. So stories always hold value to someone.
I think this is a very powerful message. When we take on the kuleana (privilege/responsibility) of storytelling, we become vessels for our ʻāina and kupuna (ancestors) to share lessons, values, morals & practices through us. This idea helps us to understand one of the reasons that storytelling is important. Through moʻolelo places and people live on within us.