Where Do You Look for the Help You Need?
by Kekoa Harmon, PhD
“E leleha aku au i ko‘u mau maka i na mauna, ma laila mai ko‘u kokua e hiki mai ai.” (Halelu 121.1-2)
“I lift my eyes to the mountains, it is from there that my help comes from.” (Psalms 121:1-2)
This particular scripture holds a special place in my heart and memory. We started singing this mele or song taught to our oldest at the Pūnana Leo o Hilo Language Nest preschool in 2004. The first Pūnana Leo preschool started in Honolulu in 1983 and had strong native speaker influence from the island of Ni‘ihau. These songs shared by native speakers from Ni‘ihau focus on meaningful Bible verses in Hawaiian. Many of these favorite songs naturally became a part of the curriculum of all the Pūnana Leo preschools as they are songs easy to learn in Hawaiian, appropriate for preschool aged children. As a young ‘ohana (family) at the time in 2004, my wife Pele and I found comfort in this scripture and in singing this song at home with our children. We even named our first born son, Kaumuali‘i (15), “Nāmakaleha” the eyes that look above, with hope that he always looks to Akua or God for help. Time has sure flown by since our eldest was in preschool. Our hiapo (eldest daughter), Kalamanamana (19) is a sophomore in college now, Kaumuali‘i (15) is a sophomore, Nālipo‘aimoku “Pine” (14) is a freshmen, and Hi‘iaka Keawala‘i our youngest, is 11 months old.
This scripture and song continue to hold relevance for us as our family has grown and matured. Life is tough. We see challenges today that we could not predict or prepare for. Where do you look for the help you need? How do you be a good role model to your children, to show them where to seek help? How do you help others to find the help they need?
Just as we find peace in this scripture, Psalm 121, Keawala‘i Church was a place of peace for my grandmother and grandfather, the late Lois and Bob Love, members of Keawala‘i. Keawala‘i continues to be a place of la‘i and calmness for so many that gather to seek the love of ke Akua (God). The love of ke Akua is what will guide and protect us for the rest of our lives. Me ka ha‘aha‘a (With humility), Kekoa
Born and raised on Maui, Kekoa Harman is an associate professor of Hawaiian studies and Hawaiian language at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo. He is an educator not just for the benefit of his students, but to ensure the preservation of the sacred dialect that is ‘ōlelo Hawai‘i (language of Hawai‘i). Realizing its importance, Harman has borne the responsibility of carrying on the Hawaiian language through teaching since being hired as a lecturer in 2003. He started his current position in 2010 and graduated this past spring with his doctorate in indigenous language and cultural revitalization. Kekoa and his wife, Pelehonuamea, are Kumu hula (teachers of hula) of Halau I Ka Leo Ola O Na Mamo. Their mission is to perpetuate the Hawaiian language and culture through mele (song) and hula. In this personal testimony Kekoa offers a word of hope for our day based on his experience of scripture, ‘ohana (family), and church. We offer his thoughts by inviting you to look beyond the despair of our present moment to the hope which is ours when we remain grounded in tradition and family. Kekoa Harman is a symbol of giving and connecting—to his students, to his people, to the language, and to the culture.
