Daily Manaʻo for Cohort Kumukahi May 2024 – Monday

Our first day began under blue skies at the architecture courtyard, where we got to know one another with an icebreaker activity that we call “Pilina Play.” The enclosure of the courtyard allowed us perhaps to be a little more open with one another, and our team noticed folks connecting with each other right away. The beauty of the different clouds passing overhead and the colored light spilling across the tables was a beautiful backdrop for us to meet lovely new people and connect with others that we may not have seen for quite some time. And for myself, I always am so happy to see the members of our team who come from near and far to help us and be with us. 

As we started our official programming within the auditorium, our team offered “Welina Mānoa” to open the space and announce ourselves not only to the humans present but also to the campus and the ʻāina of Mānoa. In our previous March cohort, we offered our opening oli within the high-walled ceilings of Hālau o Haumea, which has very different acoustics than the sound-proofed auditorium. Since these two places are on opposite sides of the UH Mānoa campus, located within different ʻili ʻāina, we noticed small, subtle differences in how the ʻāina welcomed us here. Regardless, I am always proud to stand with my team. 

Following our opening presentation, we then transitioned into our Pilina Circles, where I had the opportunity to participate and build more pilina with my team members, who co-facilitated circles throughout the week, and also with the cohort members. One thing that I have learned to love about the value of this Pilina Circle work is that these circles offer us spaces to hear equally from all different kinds of people. For instance, I particularly found myself thinking lots about my kūpuna, my ancestors and predecessors, and also the future generations and how we all show up together in these moments of intentionality. And because we were talking so much about the ʻāina and our kūpuna, right at the closing of our circle, the beautiful rain fell just as we played a music video calling out to the sacredness of fresh water. 

At the close of our day, we had the opportunity to hear one word from everyone in our circle. Many people shared words such as kuleana, pilina (and other ways of being connected), reflection, gratitude, compassion, community, awareness, and belonging. Some other ideas shared are laulima, healing, becoming, patience, and humility.