Makua o'o
The Makua o'o are tomorrow's kupuna, elders, in training today. In the Hawaiian culture, the Makua o'o is urged to be in honest preparation under the tutelage of kupuna now. The o'o (with kahako, accentuation, over both vowels) is a cultivating tool used to work the ground, weed unwanted growth and prepare for planting. The art of becoming Makua o'o develops as a tailor-made journey of discovery, practice and confidence with that cultivating too.
"The 'Original Instructions' (like the tools of the makua o'o) are not commandments. They are a compass, providing orientation, not a map." - Robin Wall Kimmerer
 |
| Kumu Aunty Betty Kawohiokalani Ellis Jenkins |
Meeting Aunty
Our paths crossed on the sandy shore of Ka'anapali on the island of Maui. We, 'Aunty' and I, are teachers. Our beginnings were similar; we both started as elementary school teachers. When we met Aunty was long retired from the public school classrooms and was facilitating a workshop with Hawaiian elders just down the beach from the resort where I worked as the training manager. Word had traveled to me, via my cousin Mokihana, "Go meet this aunty. You are doing similar work." It's not exactly what my cousin said, but, the translation is close enough and our history was to expand with that meeting.
Our paths crossed on the sandy shore of Ka'anapali on the island of Maui. We, 'Aunty' and I, are teachers. Our beginnings were similar; we both started as elementary school teachers. When we met Aunty was long retired from the public school classrooms and was facilitating a workshop with Hawaiian elders just down the beach from the resort where I worked as the training manager. Word had traveled to me, via my cousin Mokihana, "Go meet this aunty. You are doing similar work." It's not exactly what my cousin said, but, the translation is close enough and our history was to expand with that meeting.
I met my kumu that day, the "honest preparation
under the tutelage of kupuna now" began in 1995. My journey needed to re-start -- after almost twenty-five years away -- on my islands of birth to remember what I had forgotten and make space for ripening in ways unimaginable.
The original Nine
Makua o'o in Hawaiian means maturing adult. As a practice it means kupuna, elder, in training. These are the 9 Basic Tools for the Makua O'o as shared with me by my kumu Aunty Betty Kawohiokalani Ellis Jenkins.
Time and experiences with Aunty Betty prepared me through apprenticeship: Pete and I both helped to set up workshops with my kumu during the years we lived back home. Aunty included me in her workshops, introduced me to many Hawaiian communities on O'ahu and I in turn involved her in the work I was doing.
The evolving role of teacher
One of the meaningful moments in this journey came when a writing opportunity came my way. As the century turned Ka'u Landing editor Michael Gibson was looking for ideas for a new column. My life with Aunty Betty and makua o'o was ripe for expansion. I asked for permission to share the practice of kupuna in training via a twice-monthly column. The door opened, Aunty said yes and my love of words and story led to a regular 'Makua O'o' column for several years.
Time would pass quickly, and my wandering genes and collisions with chemicals led to chemical sensitivity. Pete and I would make Pacific crossings over and over again trying to 'outrun' the illness. In 2008 we built a safe-enough-for-us tiny wagon home, and now live (2020) on an island in the middle of the Salish Sea. Hawaii was, and still is, 2,500 miles away.
The path has been a spiral, learning to accept the advantages of the world turned turtle. My kuleana as storyteller and practice with the tools of the makua o'o continue to ripen me. Tales that remedied illness beyond the reach of prescriptions or 'cure' led to a decade of creative expression.
The original Nine
Makua o'o in Hawaiian means maturing adult. As a practice it means kupuna, elder, in training. These are the 9 Basic Tools for the Makua O'o as shared with me by my kumu Aunty Betty Kawohiokalani Ellis Jenkins.
- Keep a keen sense of observation … NOTICE, PAY ATTENTION
- Listen … with your whole body … LISTEN RESPECTFULLY
- Do your best in all things … LIVE LIFE WITH A PASSION
- Know that wisdom is found in many places … SOFTEN THE GROUND OF YOUR BEING
- Question for clarity when making decisions … ASK
- Practice patience and endurance … TIMING IS DIVINE
- Engage in good health practices … CARE
- Feel the heartbeat of the culture … SENSE YOUR PLACE, KNOW YOUR ROOTS
- Believe in Ke Akua, for this higher power makes all life possible … WE ARE NEVER ALONE, ALWAYS LOVED
Time and experiences with Aunty Betty prepared me through apprenticeship: Pete and I both helped to set up workshops with my kumu during the years we lived back home. Aunty included me in her workshops, introduced me to many Hawaiian communities on O'ahu and I in turn involved her in the work I was doing.
The evolving role of teacher
One of the meaningful moments in this journey came when a writing opportunity came my way. As the century turned Ka'u Landing editor Michael Gibson was looking for ideas for a new column. My life with Aunty Betty and makua o'o was ripe for expansion. I asked for permission to share the practice of kupuna in training via a twice-monthly column. The door opened, Aunty said yes and my love of words and story led to a regular 'Makua O'o' column for several years.
Traveler, your footprints
are the only road, nothing else.
Traveler, there is no road;
you make your own path as you walk.
As you walk, you make your own road,
and when you look back
you see the path
you will never travel again.
Traveler, there is no road;
only a ship's wake on the sea. - "Caminante, Traveler there is no road" Antonio Machado Mary G. Berg and Dennis Maloney, translators
Time would pass quickly, and my wandering genes and collisions with chemicals led to chemical sensitivity. Pete and I would make Pacific crossings over and over again trying to 'outrun' the illness. In 2008 we built a safe-enough-for-us tiny wagon home, and now live (2020) on an island in the middle of the Salish Sea. Hawaii was, and still is, 2,500 miles away.
The path has been a spiral, learning to accept the advantages of the world turned turtle. My kuleana as storyteller and practice with the tools of the makua o'o continue to ripen me. Tales that remedied illness beyond the reach of prescriptions or 'cure' led to a decade of creative expression.
First, there was the live production of The Safety Pin Cafe, in 2013. But these group gatherings were before the world came to know "social distancing" and wearing masks. People like me with chemical sensitivities and environmental illness took great risks to do public performances. To do these productions meant paying close attention (to the environment and my body's dynamic responses). Though we always advertised and made clear The Safety Pin Cafe is a 'fragrance and chemical free event' people didn't get it for the most part.
And then The Virus of 2020 showed up, and there are more opportunities to get it now.
Still ... those events did take place with divine and real support. Once or twice a year for a few years. Some days, months and years were easier than others. When they were easier my health and immune system buoyed and I fed them good food, love, and myths.
Dozens of virtual storytelling through the venue of blogging fill the cloud with the medicine of myths and the mythology of a life that sounds like fiction. All those steps have led here ... The tools of the makua o'o are a great model for resiliency.
I imagine making connection with others ready to honestly prepare for the journey now. Timing is divine, there is no clock on curiosity.
RELATED POST & LINKS:
"Making one's own map"
The Joy Weed Journal
"Living the myth & unlocking the metaphor" Dr. Pualani Kanaka'ole Kanahele
"Likability Through the Zodiac" Midara on Elsaelsa
And then The Virus of 2020 showed up, and there are more opportunities to get it now.
Still ... those events did take place with divine and real support. Once or twice a year for a few years. Some days, months and years were easier than others. When they were easier my health and immune system buoyed and I fed them good food, love, and myths.
Dozens of virtual storytelling through the venue of blogging fill the cloud with the medicine of myths and the mythology of a life that sounds like fiction. All those steps have led here ... The tools of the makua o'o are a great model for resiliency.
I imagine making connection with others ready to honestly prepare for the journey now. Timing is divine, there is no clock on curiosity.
"Makua o'o pick a door. You have the key. I welcome you and will enjoy the company and the adventures." - Message to Maile when she raised her hand
This link takes you to "Myth For My Tale Bone" one of my many blogs (branches of the great tree of telling) that is my work. One blog connects with another, and another. Read what you find there:
A spiral of growth, a place of reciprocity, and mojo.
Your support makes my work grow. I share what I've learned. You grow in turn.
A spiral of growth, a place of reciprocity, and mojo.
Your support makes my work grow. I share what I've learned. You grow in turn.
E Ola Mau Na Makua o'o,
Mokihana
RELATED POST & LINKS:
"Making one's own map"
The Joy Weed Journal
"Living the myth & unlocking the metaphor" Dr. Pualani Kanaka'ole Kanahele
"Likability Through the Zodiac" Midara on Elsaelsa
Comments
Post a Comment