People Strategies Hawaiʻi reposted this
It’s not what, it’s how. As I sit here stringing a lei to give someone special tomorrow, I struggle with the thought that none of my materials are indigenous. These flowers are introduced. Floss as a lei string is not native. The thought strikes me, what am I doing? Nothing here is native, and that means this isn’t native “enough”. But then I’m reminded of the purpose of lei. Why we give lei. The sweet thoughts we have of the person we give lei to. The intentions we weave in with our fingers. The way we think ahead to gift someone such that not only do they feel special, but we honor their status, their kuleana (rightful responsibility). That. That is Hawaiian. So often we focus on DOING the ‘thing’ and we focus less on BEING. How is it that I am embodying the values of my people? How is it that, in this act, this behavior, this way, this process, I am living attuned to my values? I happened to scroll on social media as I took a break and saw a beautiful all-native-plant lei that a friend is making. Absolutely breathtaking. And knowing how he makes lei, all of his ways embody Hawaiian values, too. His lei represents a deep connection to ‘āina. He grows these plants at home and turns them into gifts. I am in awe. I look down and am choosing to take wonder — not in my leimaking skills or my ability to bring forth plants and flowers — but in my gift, of growing and celebrating other people’s potential with deep intention. That is my contribution. That is my Hawaiianness embodied. Each of us have our gift. Each of us have our way. Our value comes not from how much or all the ‘whats’ we do. It comes from how we do them. #peoplefirst #alohaatwork