E Ola Mau Ka ‘Ike Hawai’i: The Legacy Lives On
Aloha mai kaakou,
Hawaiian culture is my foundation, my inspiration, and my kuleana (responsibility). Every song I write, every chant I recite, and every story I share is driven by a deep love for our laahui (nation) and the mana of our ancestors. Hawaiian music, hula, ‘Olelo Hawai’i—these are not just art forms. They are the heartbeat of our identity.
“Ho‘okahi ka ‘ilau like ana o ka ‘ike.”
(All knowledge should be used with one purpose.) – Queen Lili’uokalani
Our ancestors gave us these gifts not just to cherish but to pass on. Each mele (song) and oli (chant) carries the wisdom of the past, and it’s our kuleana to ensure that future generations hear it, learn from it, and love it as much as we do. When I think about my journey, I’m reminded of the words of Mary Kawena Pukui:
“I ulu no ka laalaa i ke kumu.”
(The branches grow because of the trunk.)
We stand tall because of the sacrifices and brilliance of those who came before us. Every note I sing, every story I weave, is for them—and for those who will follow us.
But my vision doesn’t end there. I dream of a day when Hawaiian culture isn’t just something we protect, but something we share boldly with the world. Imagine pulling up to a stoplight in the middle of downtown Honolulu or Los Angeles and hearing Hawaiian music bumping from a teenager’s car. Imagine ‘Oolelo Hawai’i being spoken casually in Starbucks lines or shouted across basketball courts. Imagine hula being as recognized globally as ballet or hip-hop.
“E maalama i ka ‘oolelo i kuleana e ‘ike ai naa mamo e hiki mai ana.”
(Cherish the language, for it is the responsibility that allows future generations to see.) – Edith Kanaka’ole
To make this dream a reality, we must unite as a laahui, celebrate our unique traditions, and uplift one another. Let us show the world that Hawaiian culture isn’t a relic of the past—it’s alive, thriving, and relevant. It’s a force of unity, identity, and pride that belongs on global stages, in classrooms, and in our everyday lives.
I call on you, my fellow kanaka and friends of Hawai’i: Let’s ensure that hula, ‘Oolelo Hawai’i, and mele don’t just survive but thrive. Let’s bring our culture into the mainstream—not watered down, but in its fullest, most authentic beauty.
“Ua mau ke ea o ka ‘aaina i ka pono.”
(The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness.) – Kamehameha III
The life of our people is perpetuated through the righteous act of remembering, celebrating, and sharing our culture. Together, we can create a future where Hawaiian music, language, and hula are woven seamlessly into the fabric of everyday life—not just in Hawai’i, but across the world.
This is my dream. This is my kuleana. Let it be ours, together.
Me ke aloha pau ‘ole,
Kamaka Mullen