Ka Ipu o Lono shares weekly devotionals to provide spiritual enrichment to members of the Kamehameha Schools ‘ohana. For more inspiration, visit the KS “Our faith” website.
Heluhelu Baibala
Iaʻu ka ʻike a me ke akamai;
ʻO wau nō ka noʻonoʻo, iaʻu hoʻi ka ikaika.
Ma oʻu nei nō e noho aliʻi ai nā aliʻi,
A e kau aku ai nō hoʻi nā kaukaualiʻi i ke kānāwai pono.
Ma oʻu nei nō hoʻi e hoʻomalu ai nā kiaʻāina,
A me nā aliʻi, a me nā luna kānāwai a pau o ka honua.
He aloha koʻu i ka poʻe e aloha mai iaʻu;
ʻO ka poʻe ʻimi pono mai, ʻo lākou ke loaʻa iaʻu.
– Na Solomona 8:14-17
Advice is mine and sound wisdom;
I am understanding, power is mine.
By me kings reign,
And rulers decree justice.
By me princes rule, and nobles,
All who judge rightly.
I love those who love me;
And those who diligently seek me will find me.
– Proverbs 8:14-17
He manaʻo o ke kahu
I once heard a saying, “It is better to remain silent and appear a fool, than to open one’s mouth and remove all doubt.” Unfortunately, as I’ve come across a few unwise individuals who should have taken heed to this quote. Wisdom is defined as, “the quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment; the quality of being wise.” This often will come with age but more so a humble heart, knowing that one doesn’t have all the answers.
Our kūpuna had a saying:
Nānā ka maka, hoʻolohe ka pepeiao, paʻa ka waha.
Observe with the eyes; listen with the ears; shut the mouth.
Thus one learns.
Wisdom tells us to quiet ourselves and open our minds to the wisdom of others, such as our beloved Pauahi. She would share her knowledge and advice to all who sought her out. She’d sit under her tamarind tree, providing wise counsel and guidance. She could have easily become mōʻī wāhine but she wisely chose to serve her people, rather than rule them. Her wisdom made a difference in so many lives.
Where do you ʻimi naʻauao? Where do you look for wisdom? Do you look to your kūpuna who’s life lessons have made them more aware of how one should interact with others and the world? Job 12:12 confirms this, “Wisdom is with the aged, and with long life comes understanding.” Better yet, seek the mind of Ke Akua who leads us into all understanding. Proverbs 9:10 reminds us, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
As you seek wisdom, may you be guided to the right source, the one that will lead you to righteous paths. Until then, it may be better to remain silent.
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