Rock-n-Roll in Paradise

[mella l]

Hey Music lovers and Rockers, I came upon this post on KONAweb in a discussion on the use of cultural words and keeping them alive, as well as the proper names of beaches and locations. Auntie Lele's response follows regarding a newly coined word she used for someone's house blessing, meaning for one who adopts the land. Thought you might enjoy this post also and perhaps we could use this newly coined expressive for our charity concert, or in advertising or flyers. I know these things take time to evolve so ideas of all kinds are a plus don't you think.

Words to Aunty Lele, posted by Ellen M on Tuesday, 12 July 2005, at 4:25 p.m.

Oh, certainly! (response to will you share the new word)

Hanaina - Kako over the first and second "a." If you forget the kahako, then it means "Feeding."

It is a contraction of "hanai" - to adopt, and "`aina" - land, thus one who is adopted by the land.

We have:
*Kanaka Maoli - the indigenous people
*hapa - part Hawaiian plus something else
*haole - foreigners (in pidgin, often used to refer to white North Americans)
*malihini - visitors
*kama`aina - non-Maoli born in the islands(in pidgin refers to long-time residents)

We don't really have a Hawaiian term for one who has adopted the culture, and been adopted by the community. And so, I have decided to start using the term, hanaina.



mella l