Mana'o Mondays: Lawelawe- Serving & Caring for Others

A.L.O.H.A. Team Pearl!

??This week's theme is?lawelawe, pronouced?[lah-weh-lah-weh] which means to serve, work for, care for, tend to others. We all have very busy lives, especially amidst the ongoing pandemic and managing our work/life activities. Serving others does not have to explicitly take time out of your day. It can be as simple as showing care for the people you interact with in your everyday life. It's normal for us to be so engaged in our own life experiences that we forget to be consciously kind or compassionate to the people around us. When we prioritize these factors, we can make noticeable differences in the lives of ourselves and those around us, especially people that are vulnerable or who are struggling.

??There are many ways you can?lawelawe. Simply being kind to those who cross your path, volunteering, giving and providing your own services to help someone that may need them or being a listening ear are great ways to care for or serve others. Serving others means doing something intentionally and primarily for the benefit of someone else. When you serve others, you are going outside of yourself to bring value and joy to the lives of others.

??On March 26th?each year, we honor Prince Kūhiō in Hawai'i, I am in awe of his selfless service and how he cared for Hawai'i and his people. Prince Kūhiō was known as the?'Prince of the People'?providing a life of service, or?lawelawe, to strengthen the people of Hawaii.

??Prince Kūhiō played a significant role in the history of Hawaii. His?lawelawe?for the people of Hawaii positively impacted their lives for generations to come. Here are some of the ways he made significant contributions to the betterment of Hawaii and its people:

Advocate for Hawaiian Issues:?As a representative in the United States Congress, Prince Kūhiō was a strong advocate for Hawaiian issues. He worked to improve the lives of Native Hawaiians by pushing for legislation that would provide them with land, healthcare, and education.

Champion of Hawaiian Culture:?Prince Kūhiō was a proud Hawaiian and worked tirelessly to preserve and promote Hawaiian culture. He was a key figure in the establishment of the Hawaiian Civic Club movement, which aimed to preserve and perpetuate Hawaiian culture, language, and traditions.

Hawaiian Homes Commission Act:?Prince Kūhiō was instrumental in the passage of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1921, which provided land for Native Hawaiians to farm and build homes on. This legislation was crucial in addressing the issue of landlessness among Native Hawaiians.

Memorial to King Kamehameha I:?Prince Kūhiō worked to establish a memorial to King Kamehameha I in Washington, D.C. This memorial was unveiled in 1969 and stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of King Kamehameha and the importance of Hawaiian history.

Dredging of Pearl Harbor:?You could also say that Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard would not exist without Prince Kūhiō . He recognized the strategic importance of Pearl Harbor as a naval base, and the need to dredge the harbor to improve the facilities and infrastructure of the harbor in order to support U.S. military presence in Hawaii and improve the economy of Hawaii.

??Prince Kūhiō took care of the people of Hawaii through his leadership, advocacy, and dedication to preserving and promoting Hawaiian culture and traditions. He worked tirelessly to improve the lives of Native Hawaiians and fought for their rights and well-being. His legacy is motivating and inspiring.

??While not everyone's influence may be of the same magnitude as Prince Kūhiō, there are so many ways we can?lawelawe?others through our everyday actions and behaviors.?As you go through your week, think about the different ways you can bring value and joy to the lives of others.

"Ua ola loko i ke aloha"

Love gives life within

A.L.O.H.A.,

Melissa Lamerson