Aloha Kakou,

As many of you will be aware, Kumu has recently sent out some emails regarding a wonderful opportunity to receive learnings via email from Kanoe on Molokai. This is part of the ongoing commitment of the Halau to those who recognize the importance of furthering their own learning and honouring the integrity of the Hawaiian teachings, and to those who respect the Kumu and Kupuna who share their knowledge and wisdom with us.

Kanoe has made this commitment out of her aloha and gratitude for the tithing from the Halau & others in the ‘ohana, and in part to underline the responsibilities of this cultural exchange relationship that is growing between us. As she wrote to Kumu recently : “ I feel that what you’re doing with sharing this information is so important & that is maika’i as I’ve been always saying and fighting about those who utilize our resources and don’t give back. This is a good way considering they are so far away (tithing)… Please share with all those who you touch and who feel it within themselves to give back that I mahalo them in so many ways and I can assure them that whatever they choose to share and give back (in whatever form, amount they choose) that it will go back to the source.”

Those coming on the Immersion who saw the DVD “Then There Were None” gained some insight into why my Kumu & I are so passionate and committed to maintaining the integrity of the Hawaiian teachings and of giving back to the source of those teachings : the Kumu and Kupuna who share their knowledge and wisdom with us out of their aloha and their desire to keep their way of life alive and thriving.

One very concrete way of giving back is tithing to those whose teachings we use (and often benefit financially from). For myself this comes from my aloha, from it being pono and from my kuleana to uphold the sovereignty of the teachings and the people and culture from which it comes……. And from seeing how our contributions really do make a difference! From Kanoe : “I think that what will come from this can help some of the women of the halau in helping them raise money to go to the ‘Aha Wahine : KuHinaPapa in August to help them strengthen themselves as women, as people, as mothers, and as wives. Mahalo!!!!”

The monies I tithe are distributed between our contributions to Kanoe’s projects, projects of the Halau (such as hosting Kumu Brenda and Robert when they were here; and other guest speakers the Halau is hosting in 2012) and Aloha International. While my practice of lomilomi is not my fulltime business I do see it as fundamental principle (or should I say a no-brainer!!) to tithe 10% of the fee I receive for every lomi I give. In addition to this I tithe the same amount from every lomi I choose not to receive money for: the “mahalo” or makana lomis I give; even for the makana lomis I may receive, I tithe. This I give out of gratitude for the opportunity to practice something I love and which has been generously shared by Hawaiians and entrusted to us to carry into the wider world in it’s sacredness and integrity. That’s the form my tithing takes; for others of the ‘ohana it may be direct donation to a specific project, a regular monthly contribution, a proportion of each lomi; or in the form of donation of goods or services for fundraising… whatever is pono for you!

At this point I feel I need to add that there have been many other opportunities for learning offered by the Halau here in Melbourne in the last 18 months or so and I have to say the attendance (pretty much the same handful of the same people) does make me curious as to what people say is important to them and what their actions actually reflect- in short: other priorities. I remain inspired by the example of our beloved kupuna Pammie- her enthusiasm for learning, curiosity, excitement about whatever lay just around the next corner, brought her all the way from Phillip Island to all of the Talk Story days. Her zest for life and learning and her aloha were always a joy to be in the presence of. For myself her sudden passing has been a real lesson in remaining focused on what is really important, of doing the hana, and to seizing the moment. Mahalo nui Pammie

One of the many things that resonate so deeply for me in the Hawaiian teachings is the simplicity and practicality of the philosophy. Actually to me it is not a philosophy but a way of living! Aloha is the foundation of our connection with all of life, with our environment, with na Aumakua, na Akua & na Kupuna, and with the Source and we can practice it daily in all aspects of our lives.

I really do encourage you all to view all the learnings made available to you as tools for your own growth and healing foremost. Those coming on the Immersion are already gaining a deeper understanding of the heart and mind of Hawaiian culture and spirituality through learning about protocol and how as much as this is about honouring na Kumu, na Kupuna and indeed everything around us, the practice of this connects us ever more strongly to Spirit. The practice of protocol, of oli, of pule and even of the  forms of  healing we use, are tools for building on and opening up our own connection to Spirit as much as they are the ways of respecting and honouring na Kumu & na Kupuna and the very culture from which we are gifted this wisdom. The more we can plug into that connection and really experience it through the vehicle of our kino, our pu’uwai, our ha… from this we can then live our aloha, our pono, honour the teachings and the teachers, and help to heal ourselves, assist others to heal themselves and restore balance and harmony to the planet. Really that is so useful yes?

So perhaps the next time you receive an email about any learning which requires more from you than just opening and reading an email, you may take a moment to reflect on what your priorities are, what values you are living, and whether maybe you can reorganize your terribly busy schedule to take that look around the next corner… it could be you hear or see something or connect with someone that just may make a difference….to us all .

With much Aloha

Joey

aloha Tracey and Kanoe

My heart felt gratitude goes to both of you gorgeous women.  Kanoe mahalo for your gift of being included in your newsletter and in return I have gifted back to you of which I know Tracey will share with you.  Would like to also acknowledge your work and what you are weaving back into the fabric of life.  Being a single mum of 11years (and my conscious choice) of 3 children I want to say that what are doing is amazing and takes all the courage, persistence and love you possess.  The little girls we raise to be loving women can change the course of where we are going on this planet.  They teach the men in their lives how to love and honour them and in return men get to value themselves(which is very much missing today)  then when they have their own children they then get to witness how to love and treat others with respect.  It starts with us, the self.  So we all need to start loving ourselves, hold hands and move forward together.  I would also like to support your newsletter ongoingly by tithing on a monthly basis so that you can continue in your loving sharing of aloha and pono.

Am so looking to forward to meeting you in August and once again mahalo, mahalo mahalo ,Suellen