A worldview provides the social framework within which values such as “good” and “bad” are defined. These values, in turn, shape the way individuals interact with one another and guide daily behavior and decision-making.
On a canoe—where physical space is limited and individuals of varying temperaments are confined in close quarters—a shared set of values becomes essential for survival. Without common expectations for behavior, even minor differences in opinion or perception can escalate into serious conflict. In the isolated and high-stakes environment of an ocean voyage, unresolved conflict can quickly become life-threatening.
Cultrual Values.
This is where core values play a vital role. Core values carry with them predictable patterns of behavior, which help reduce stress, prevent misunderstandings, and minimize conflict. Over generations, Native Hawaiians developed a set of cultural values specifically intended to maintain cooperation, qualities necessary for both land-based communities and voyaging crews.
While many of these Hawaiian values remain widely recognized today, their deeper meanings are often overlooked or misunderstood. By exploring these core concepts more deeply, we gain insight into how Hawaiians related not only to one another, but also to their environment, and to the canoe.
Aloha: Aloha is generally translated as "hello" or "goodbye" or "love". But Aloha is a two-part word.
"Alo" means to "face", suggesting presenting oneself without defense or
obstructions.
"Ha" is the breath of life, it is an individual's life force. It could be translated as a
person's soul.
Aloha is a serious action in which one person presents themselves undefended and shares one's life force "Ha", with another person. It is a process where one lowers one's guard, extends trust and opens their soul for interaction with another person on a spiritual level. Sharing one's Aloha should not be taken lightly. To simply say Hello, Ano Ai or Welina are appropriate greetings. Aloha requires commitment and carries with it obligations.
Mālama: The present translation refers to taking care of...preserve, protect. Mālama is
also a two-part word.
" Mā" is a contraction of the word Ma'a, which means to be accustomed to, used
to, knowing, thoroughly experienced.
"Lama" means torch, light or lamp in turn suggesting enlightenment.
In order to Mālama anything, one must become Ma'a to it. Becoming Ma'a takes time and patience and to have an open mind so a true understanding of a place or issue can be had. This understanding is "Lama" or enlightenment. Only when one is Ma'a with something can it be properly cared for.
Pono: "Pono" is translated as goodness, uprightness, correct or proper, true, right, fair, just... But the deeper meaning of Pono is balance.
It was apparent to early Hawaiians that things in nature appear in paired opposites and that these opposites depend on each other to complete a function or create a whole. When an imbalance occurs, things go bad. But this balance does not mean physically equal. The most effective example of this "unequal balance" is the Wa'a Kaukahi (single outrigger canoe).
The Ka'ele (Hull) of the canoe is much longer, wider and heavier than the ama (float). Yet the Ka'ele cannot float upright without the ama. It is the combination of the attributes of these totally different-sized objects that when joined together, allow a canoe to not only float but also carry people and cargo to where they need to go. The result of the ama and the Ka'ele balancing each other describes the balanced state called Pono.