In this world of computers, I am given the opportunity to work with many people whose heart’s desire is to live in Hawaii.
Many people believe the whales are jumping for joy off the Big Island’s Kohala Coast
As a native Hawaiian, and a spirit of this world, it warms my heart every time I hear this. We do live in such a beautiful, precious place—of which I am most grateful. Growing up here, we went to the beach for fun—it didn’t cost anything and it was a place of joy. Hanging out with friends, surfing, body boarding—just having fun. I assumed everyone everywhere in the world did this. Only recently, (in the past few years as a Realtor) have I realized how precious a commodity this is.
I must tell you what hurts my heart. When I speak to these people who so desire to live in paradise, and to hear them say that a local person has told them that they are not welcomed here. That the malihini, or newcomer has caused prices to raise so ridiculously that the local person cannot find the money to purchase property. That the local person is being driven out.
While it is true, our prices are considered high, we still live and play in one of the most beautiful places in the world. We are all given the ability to rise above our stations that we were born into. I am personally thankful for the malihini that have come here. They have caused me to remember how proud I am to be Hawaiian. How grateful I am to have grown up here. How proud I am of my ancestors, Hawaiian, Korean, Irish, Scotch—all of them have made me who I am today.
I only hope that my cousins will find in their hearts the love that our ancestors had for the malihini—how else did all of us come about? Each one of us carries the koko (blood) of our ancestors—Hawaiian, Chinese, Japanese, Caucasian, Filipino, Korean, and every other nationality in this world. We cannot separate ourselves from our ancestry just as we cannot separate ourselves from the human race.
We all bring something to this melting pot we call Hawaii. Let’s remember to e malama i keia aina (take care of the land) like the kama’aina (child of the land). Ho’ihi (respect) each other. And remember, we all (every last one of us) bring our makana (gifts) to Hawaii nei.
Pam Deery R(B) Big Island
January 17, 2011
Lucy; As your haole and malihini friend and fellow realtor, I can honestly say you are one of the the kindest most sharing people I know! I have never felt anything but acceptance, love and joy from you and every other native Hawaiian since I moved full time to the Island 7 years ago. You give wholeheartedly and willingly your vast wealth of local knowledge and information to we “newcomers”.
I am proud to be your friend and associated with you in this wonderful land we all share.
Pam Deery R(B) Big Island
January 17, 2011
Lucy; As your haole and malihini friend and fellow realtor, I can honestly say you are one of the the kindest most sharing people I know! I have never felt anything but acceptance, love and joy from you and every other native Hawaiian since I moved full time to the Island 7 years ago. You give wholeheartedly and willingly your vast wealth of local knowledge and information to we “newcomers”.
I am proud to be your friend and associated with you in this wonderful land we all share.
Lucy
January 17, 2011
Mahalo Pam for your friendship. You too have shared your mana’o (wisdom) with me so generously. Please know that I truly appreciate you.
Lucy
January 17, 2011
Mahalo Pam for your friendship. You too have shared your mana’o (wisdom) with me so generously. Please know that I truly appreciate you.
Ken Molina, RS
January 17, 2011
Lucy, I too was fortunate to have grown up in Hawaii. There is something about growing up here that you really cannot explain to those who have not. I was gone for 25 years but my heart never left “home”. I am glad and fortunate that I am now back for good. It would be wonderful if everyone could experience what it is like to live Hawaii.
Ken Molina, RS
January 17, 2011
Lucy, I too was fortunate to have grown up in Hawaii. There is something about growing up here that you really cannot explain to those who have not. I was gone for 25 years but my heart never left “home”. I am glad and fortunate that I am now back for good. It would be wonderful if everyone could experience what it is like to live Hawaii.
Lucy
January 17, 2011
Welcome home Ken!
Lucy
January 17, 2011
Welcome home Ken!
Katie Minkus, R(BIC)
January 17, 2011
Aloha Lucy. A very moving post from you today, thank you for sharing!! Every morning I wake up and look outside, at this amazing, gorgeous place that is our home, and am thankful I get to experience it for one more day. There’s a reason we enthuse, “lucky we live hawaii!”
One of the things I am most grateful for is that Hawaii County – our Big Island – is the most ethnically diverse county in the entire United States of America. I think I cracked up for at least the first five years anyone with your sort of diverse ethnic mix called themselves “poi dogs.” I mean, really, where else do you meet people who are Hawaiian and Korean and Irish and Scottish? Or Okinawan and Dutch?
And then I started to realize that the culture here in Hawaii has embraced a little something from every ethnicity that has found their way to these small, luscious islands in the middle of the pacific ocean, fell in love with them (or someone!) and stayed here to make it their home. From the food, to the language to the fireworks to a bank holiday for King Kamahameha’s Birthday, this is a place full of happy people from every ethnic background imaginable, who love to eat and talk story and have fun and revere the past.
Mahalo nui loa for embracing Dave and I – and our hoardes of family, friends and visitors – from the very first day we met you. Thanks for continuing to teach me about Hawaii and what being Hawaiian means (it’s not an adjective peeps, it’s a race of people!). And thanks for your open heart – and open mind. You are an inspiration and a true leader.
Katie Minkus, R(BIC)
January 17, 2011
Aloha Lucy. A very moving post from you today, thank you for sharing!! Every morning I wake up and look outside, at this amazing, gorgeous place that is our home, and am thankful I get to experience it for one more day. There’s a reason we enthuse, “lucky we live hawaii!”
One of the things I am most grateful for is that Hawaii County – our Big Island – is the most ethnically diverse county in the entire United States of America. I think I cracked up for at least the first five years anyone with your sort of diverse ethnic mix called themselves “poi dogs.” I mean, really, where else do you meet people who are Hawaiian and Korean and Irish and Scottish? Or Okinawan and Dutch?
And then I started to realize that the culture here in Hawaii has embraced a little something from every ethnicity that has found their way to these small, luscious islands in the middle of the pacific ocean, fell in love with them (or someone!) and stayed here to make it their home. From the food, to the language to the fireworks to a bank holiday for King Kamahameha’s Birthday, this is a place full of happy people from every ethnic background imaginable, who love to eat and talk story and have fun and revere the past.
Mahalo nui loa for embracing Dave and I – and our hoardes of family, friends and visitors – from the very first day we met you. Thanks for continuing to teach me about Hawaii and what being Hawaiian means (it’s not an adjective peeps, it’s a race of people!). And thanks for your open heart – and open mind. You are an inspiration and a true leader.
Lucy
January 17, 2011
Mahalo Katie Your willingness to learn about our culture without the “we did it this way where I come from” is one of the many things that has always endeared me to you. Mahalo for being my friend and fantastic broker!
Lucy
January 17, 2011
Mahalo Katie Your willingness to learn about our culture without the “we did it this way where I come from” is one of the many things that has always endeared me to you. Mahalo for being my friend and fantastic broker!
The Spirit of Hawaii « Hawaii Real Estate Market
February 28, 2011
[…] Hawaii, we have many diverse cultures, backgrounds, ways of thinking, and being. It seems that we, together, have been going through a […]
The Spirit of Hawaii « Hawaii Real Estate Market
February 28, 2011
[…] Hawaii, we have many diverse cultures, backgrounds, ways of thinking, and being. It seems that we, together, have been going through a […]
April Wright
March 30, 2011
I stumbled up on this post while surfing the web. I was born in Nebraska the place you can use a lawn mower and snow blower in the same day. In 1992 my mother passed away and my real father was located on Maui married to a beautiful Hawaiian woman they had kids. I was moved to Maui to live with my father and step mom. I grew up here through my high school years and I agree there is really no way to explain what it is like to grow up in Hawaii. I would love to move back and raise my kids there with all my O’hana that is still there.
April Wright
March 30, 2011
I stumbled up on this post while surfing the web. I was born in Nebraska the place you can use a lawn mower and snow blower in the same day. In 1992 my mother passed away and my real father was located on Maui married to a beautiful Hawaiian woman they had kids. I was moved to Maui to live with my father and step mom. I grew up here through my high school years and I agree there is really no way to explain what it is like to grow up in Hawaii. I would love to move back and raise my kids there with all my O’hana that is still there.
Lucy
March 30, 2011
Mahalo for sharing part of your story with us, April. Perhaps you will return home one day. When the time is right, please let me know if I can be of assistance. a hui hou
Lucy
March 30, 2011
Mahalo for sharing part of your story with us, April. Perhaps you will return home one day. When the time is right, please let me know if I can be of assistance. a hui hou