MY Kuleana
Aloha mai and welcome back to my little corner of the interwebs. This week, I found myself reflecting on the power of community and the incredible impact we can make when we come together with a shared purpose. It’s time we shift from the haole (foreigner) mindset of “every man for himself” to the indigenous perspective of “we’re all in this together.”
A conversation with a dear friend of mine sparked this reflection. She shared her vision for a grassroots food security movement in the ‘Ewa and Kapolei communities called Ohana Food Share. This initiative gathers food and resources from within the community and redistributes them to ‘ohana (families) and kūpuna (elders) facing food insecurity. As she spoke, I could feel the passion behind her words. Her commitment to this cause reminded me that so many meaningful community initiatives are born from a simple recognition of need—when someone sees a problem and instead of looking the other way, decides to take action.
It also reinforced a powerful truth: the health and wellbeing of our community is a direct reflection of us. It is our kuleana (responsibility) to ensure that not only we, but also our neighbors and our people, are cared for. There are truly good-hearted individuals in this world who don’t seek recognition or monetary gain but act purely out of love and service. For those interested in supporting this initiative, whether through donations or volunteering, I will link the Ohana Food Share Instagram here.
This conversation ignited a deeper sense of kuleana within me—reminding me that instead of focusing on what divides us, we must cultivate spaces that uplift and nurture our community. As I sat in reflection, I channeled a message from spirit:
“To create change within your lāhui, your community, and your neighborhood, it starts at the individual level. We must release the ego-driven desire to take more while others have less, especially when there is more than enough to go around. We only thrive when we work together, not apart. That’s why they keep us overwhelmed and distracted—so we don’t realize that the truth lies within us. When we trust and believe in each other, we dismantle the systems designed to keep us powerless. The only way we overcome our oppressors is to hui (gather), regulate our nervous systems, heal our generational wounds, and transform them into generational wealth. The greed embedded in this society perpetuates soul contracts tied to poverty and hardship. This is where we must heal. Whether your contribution is big or small, your presence matters. You are the future kūpuna (elder), and the legacy you leave begins with the conscious effort you make today.”
This message reaffirms my own vision and kuleana—to support Kānaka ‘Ōiwi in their energetic and generational healing. It’s time to clear away the layers of inherited trauma so that our people no longer feel the need to people-please, overextend themselves, or exist in spaces that take from them without replenishing. My mission is to empower you to take up space, trust your intuition, and unapologetically express your truth. To help you rediscover the passion and purpose that will nourish not just your soul, but the soul of our lāhui.
I hope you can feel the passion behind this vision, just as I feel it within me. Now is the time to rise together.
x Alohilani