The Bones Live...

Mo‘okū‘auhau: Ola Nā Iwi – The bones live – said of a respected oldster who is well cared for by his family. (Pūku'i, 2488)

In Ola Nā Iwi, the knowledge imparted is fundamental to understanding Hawaiian truths and origin of knowledge. The bulk of the class was divided into three sections, each portion cleverly embodied by the image of a tree:

1. Kamole (the roots) offered deep-rooted ancient knowledge including the Hawaiian genesis known as the Kumulipo, a complex and many layered story beginning with the relationship between Papa (Mother Earth) and Wākea (Father Sky). We are then introduced to the story of brothers Hāloanakalaukapali’i and Hāloa which describes the relationship of man and the ‘āina (land), and the significance of kalo (taro).

2. In Ke Kumu (the trunk of the tree), resources were made for students to reconnect with their roots and ‘ohana (family).

3. Kahua (the fruit of the tree) presented students with a variety of opportunities to take what they had learned and share it with their ‘ohana.