Ke Aloha o ke Akua- The Love of God

Feather Leis and Beautiful Hulas! 

Aloha mai! Here are the latest pictures from a wonderful day spent at the Lei Hulu Graduation with Aunty Doreen at Sangha Hall this month. All of our hard work and preparation certainly paid off! When we got there I could see an array of all of the feather leis each graduate had to go through to get to where they are and let me tell you it takes so much patience, perseverance, dedication and discipline. Some of those feather leis are so intricate and are compiled with thousands of feathers.

Once we got there we were able to get settled and change into our costumes for the performance. We had a great set list and there was a good amount of people that showed up for the event. The matriarch of my ʻohana, Aunty Gloriann Akau (my Tūtū's sister), was in the audience as well. Our showcase consisted of the oli Noho Ana, and a hula with the ʻulīʻulī called Ke Aloha o Ke Akua. I like this chant because it speaks about all of the characteristics of Ke Akua- the creator. Next one of my hula sisters danced Kaʻiulani which was choreographed by Uncle George Naʻope. The next hula was a medly sung by Nā Palapalai (on cd) of Manu ʻŌʻō. I love the way that they sing it! Our final number was a great surprise to our graduating lei hulu hula sister in the audience. We performed Lei Pīkake with one of our hula sisters showcasing her talents in ballet. Yes it is not the norm to combine hula and ballet, and that's why we choose it for Aunty Norene. The piano accompanied by the voices of the brothers Cazimero (on cd again) was like a luring call to everyone in the room.

Now I want to close with the words from one of our hulas. God bless and mālama pono.

Ke Aloha o Ke Akua

Ke aloha o ke akua lā ʻeā
ʻAʻole hoʻi e hoʻohiehie
ʻAʻole he hikiwawe ka huhū ʻeā
ʻAʻole noʻonoʻo ʻino

The love of God
Does not act elegantly (doesn't make distinct and beautiful apart from others, it is not vain)
It is not quick to anger
It does not think hateful thoughts

Ke aloha o ke akua lā ʻeā
ʻAʻole pāonioni ke aloha
ʻAʻole haʻanui aku ke aloha ʻeā
ʻAʻole he haʻkei

The love of God
Does not quarrel (it is love without strife)
His/her love does not boast and brag
It is not proud, snobbish and rude

Ke aloha o ke akua lā ʻeā
ʻAʻole ia e hoʻopunipuni
ʻAʻole ʻimi i kona mea ihola ʻeā
ʻAʻole he kuʻakuʻai 

The love of God
Does not lie and is not false
His/her love does not look-out only for itself
This love does not give for the sake of receiving something in return

Ke mau nei kēia mau mea lā ʻeā
Ka manaʻoʻiʻo, ka manaʻolana
A me ke aloha o ke akua lā ʻeā
Ke aloha naʻe kai ʻoi

These things are permanent (they continue now and always)
Faith, hope
And the love of God
Love however is the thing that is above