Maui Strong

You’ve seen the news from the Maui wildfires these past 2 weeks. And you may have seen some Hawaiian words used in social media posts that are not familiar. 

Words like ‘ohana. This is a Hawaiian term meaning "family" (but in an extended sense of the term since it includes blood-related, adoptive, intentional or the human family).This is a community that understands how to care for one another.

There is a local artist with a few ‘ohana that lost everything and she is doing what she can to support them. But she is also doing something for the broader community. In addition to creating and distributing free art kits to children from the impacted areas around Lahaina, she set up space in her studio on the other side of the island for anyone to come inside to do an art project as part of their healing process.

"Ohana means family --and family means nobody is left behind or forgotten." Those words are from the classic Disney movie "Lilo & Stitch". The love and support circulates as those with jobs continue to donate, volunteer and shelter those in need. 

For anyone who wonders what they can possibly do when their ‘ohana is hurting, this reminds us there is always something. Think about your unique skills (maybe a hidden skill?) and what you could circulate or make public. If we all act like the artist did, there will be an abundance of love, affection and compassion— which just happens to be the true meaning of aloha.