What an incredible example of the power of one thought, one seed of an idea, intent, focus & action! The fundraising day on 17 January was the idea of Teresa Corso who simply wanted to do something to give back to those whose teachings have been so important to her journey. The seed was planted & in 4 weeks the appropriate people came in to being to assist & support her in her endeavour. In just one day $2532 was raised! Mahalo nui loa to Teresa & to all the ‘ohana who were either there on the day or who donated items for raffles, doorprizes, money, food & teas. You are all extraordinary! The money will help in Sacred Halawa Valley to get such things repaired as the brakes on the truck, the pipes which carry water from the dam to the house & the lo’i, &d if we can raise even more – maybe hot water for showering!

This brings me to the concept of tithing or donating, whatever phrase you want to use. Many spiritual practices & universal ‘laws’ talk of the concept of tithing, often using the figure of 10% of income. Many of you know I donate regularly to RSPCA, IFAW, World Vision Child Sponsorship, Aloha International and Halawa Valley & collect towels for various animal shelters ( which reminds me, the Xmas bundle went to Victorian Dog Rescue – mahalo to those who contributed). That’s what I choose to do & of course everyone is different & has their own journey & priorities. The thing with tithing or donating, It’s not the amount that is given, it’s about the intent with which it is given. Neither does it need to be money, it can be time, volunteering, all sorts of things.

I often hear people say such things as’ I can’t afford to’, ‘ I don’t have the money’ etc . Perhaps it’s time to revisit ‘The 7 Principles’ of Huna, ‘The Secret’, ‘The Law of Attraction’ – all spiritual concepts of manifesting just under different labels.

To quote some Hawaiian phrases regarding manifesting & prosperity :

- Ana’ole, kea au, ka po ( there are no limits to the outer world or the inner world)

- O ka pono ke hana ‘ia a iho main a lani ( do good until the heavens come down to you/ Blessings come to those who persist in doing good)

- Aia ke ola I Kahiki ( Life is in Kahiki/ Success comes from the inner world)

- A’ohe wawae o ka i’a: o ‘oe ka mea wawae, ki’i mai ( a fish has no feet: you who have feet must come & get what you want/ thoughts must be reinforced by action)

- Ko Koa uka, ko koa kai ( those of the upland, those of the shore / share so that everyone’s needs are met)

And to quote Serge: “ Fear is the only problem: love is the only solution.”

“ Tithing is a way of sharing resources & expanding prosperity. You get back according to how  it makes you feel, not according to how much you give”

& here’s Serge’s great little ditty to sing : Life is An Adventure

Be aware of what you are & what you want to be:

You can turn your life around from A to Z

Nothing is Impossible, belief is all you need;

You don’t have to trust to luck just plant the seed.

(chorus) Oh, Life is an adventure, life is all a dream;

Everything is flexible & not what it would seem

Dare to give yourself a chance to do the best you can;

Plan the way to live your life & walk your plan!

When the world is getting dark & you are full of fear.

Remember to turn on the light & make things clear.

When you are unhappy, & when you’re full of doubt.

Fill yourself with energy & then begin to shout

(chorus)

There’s a little secret that’s as old as can be;

Faith can make a mountain move & love can set you free

So bless the world each morning, & by it you’ll be blessed;

Trust the power deep within & then expect the best!

(chorus)

Are you Singing & Smiling yet?     You could even put a little dance with it to energise even more!!

]I was coming back from my walk this morning with the all that is contained in this blog running through my head. Whenever that happens I know it’s coming from a higher source that wants to be heard or get a message through and that it’s time for another blog, so here it is.

I’m often asked questions by people seeking a lomilomi teacher or practitioner as to who I can recommend. My answer to them is along the lines of  ’ask them these questions and then decide if this is the appropriate teacher or practitioner for you’. The questions are: where in Hawaii have they trained? if not in Hawaii, what is their kumu’s lineage or background ie has their teacher trained in Hawaii, does their teacher have the permission of their kumu to teach? Have they ever been to Hawaii? Have they ever studied at all with an Hawaiian?               There are many who are doing lomilomi that cannot answer yes to many of these questions. There are many who use the Hawaiian teachings, culture and spirituality in their businesses and I will be blunt enough to say , who earn money from these teachings and cannot answer yes to these.

So , my question is to those who are practitioners  and teachers of Hawaiian healing and spirituality in any form is – what are you doing and what do you do to honour, respect and support those whose wisdom and knowledge you benefit and profit from?

When Lawrence Aki ‘agreed’ to come to Australia to share the teachings of his ancestors, he would only do so if he had the permission of the Indigenous Australians. He would not teach here without their blessing. So a sacred ceremony will be done in Melbourne and Brisbane with the Indigenous Elders of Australia, with ho’okupu (offerings) being made to them from the Kanaka Maoli of Molokai.    This is how important honouring and respecting is for Native Hawaiians. How important is it for you?

I am under no illusion- although I am seen as Kumu in Australia and am given that title by a number of Hawaiians,would never have the arrogance to assume that title in Hawaii. I will always be haumana when I am in the presence of Kanaka Maoli. I may  be seen as ‘Professor’ of many things Hawaiian here, however am very much in pre-school when I step foot on any Hawaiian ‘aina.

I know my Kia Kahi, my purpose is very different to many peoples and that we all have a different journey.  I continue to strive to be the best advocate and representative for Kanaka Maoli and all Hawaiians that I can be. This, along with being haumana and of service to them will continue until the the day I Walk the Rainbow.

Perhaps it’s time to take a moment and reflect upon  your own kia kahi, your own purpose and journey. Are you truly embodying and understanding what it is to honour and respect the Kanaka Maoli, the Native Hawaiians and the Ancestors?                                                                            Are YOU willing to embrace in your Practice what it is to be truly Hawaiian  & to be PONO with your practices? What commitment are YOU willing to make to yourself to move from ‘doing’ to ‘being’ & to honour the Kanaka Maoli & the Ancestors &  to Malama Pono ? Sometimes you are offered a Makana, a Gift .Are you willing to receive this  gift, this rare opportunity? Are you & your clients worthy of this investment?

‘IKE NO I KA LA O KA ‘IKE, MANA NO I KA LA O KA MANA
There is a time for knowledge & a time for mana ( power)
Sometimes in life you are learning, sometimes you put learning into practice..
….but you never finish learning.