E kamaʻilio kākou, let's have a conversation, or bettah yet, let's talk story about the power of Mana'olana, Hope.
Aloha sweet one. If you are new here, e komo mai (Eh-koh-moh-my), come inside, sit and stay for a while. If you are returning, welcome home. I've been thinking a lot about hope and how it shows up in my life today. In olelo Hawai'i, Hawaiian language, the word for hope is manaʻolana (mah-nah-OH-LAH-nah). Its root, 'lana', literally means "to float." Not to fix, not to force. Just to stay afloat, gently, until the next wave carries you home.
I wrote a short moʻolelo (moh-oh-leh-loh), a story, on a day when sadness felt heavier than usual, not from any one thing, but a combination of events that have shown up in my life in these recent days. Some quiet, some loud, and the kind that comes without warning. One early morning while having my coffee, I found myself wondering what this new day would bring for me, for my family, and then I wondered about how this day would end, and what my life would look like at sunset. That made me think of how the sun never once failed to rise, and always, always gave us a new day. We get to try again.
So from deep in my na'au (nah-ow), my deep, emotional heart space, I found the words for this small but powerful mo'olelo. I wrote it for me, for my children, my family, and for anyone who needs reminding that endings and new beginnings live closer together than we think.
Mana'olana on the Shore ~ A story of Hope, Sadness & What Will Rise Again
Sadness sat alone on the shore, watching the sun sink low, a shimmery, dim light on the waves.
Hope walked over quietly and sat beside her, taking her hand.
"It's leaving," Sadness whispered. "Everything I love always leaves."
Hope nodded gently. "Watch," she said.
They sat together as the sun disappeared beyond the horizon, the sky fading to a deep violet, then slowly to soft black.
"It's gone," Sadness said, as she closed her eyes.
"Wait," Hope answered.
So they stayed, holding hands, through the quiet dark night until, slowly, the sky began to glow again. Pink. Gold. Warm.
The sun rose.
Sadness watched, breathless. "It came back."
"It always does," Hope said. Nothing is ever truly lost to the dark, it's only shifting, waiting to return with new light."
Sadness wiped the tears from her eyes, and for the first time, she smiled, it was small, but real.
They stood together, holding hands, facing the new light.
~
"Change can feel like loss, but loss is not the end of a story. It's only a changing sky, before the sun rises again."
So if you're in a season that feels like a setting sun right now, I hope this is a small reminder that you don't have to rush the sunrise. You are allowed to just sit in the dark for a while, holding hands with whatever you're feeling. The light comes back. It always does.
Namaste sweet one & Malama Pono (Take Care) Always,
~Lynette Haunani 🌺
🌱 🍵 From the ‘āina, the land, with love: a tea story. Let's brew together.
This cozy and delicious sunset tea blend will always bring comfort during any season of life. Whether enjoyed hot or iced, you'll appreciate its robust, smooth flavors. Add some honey for a touch of sweetness, take a sip, lean in and remind yourself that the sun will always rise again.
Sunset Iced Tea Recipe:
- 1 tbsp dried ginger root (or 3-4 thin slices of fresh ginger) for a spicy, grounding warmth.
- 1 tbsp dried orange peel (or fresh orange slices) for a bright, sunny citrus aroma.
- 2 tbsp dried hibiscus flowers (ʻakulikuli) for that rich, deep magenta-crimson color and tart, berry-like flavor.
In a small pot, simmer 1 cup of water with the ginger and orange peel for 5 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in some honey until fully dissolved. Strain and let cool. This sweet, spiced blend represents the warm, golden sun. In a separate mug, steep the hibiscus flowers in 1 cup of boiling water until it turns a deep, brilliant ruby red. Strain and let cool. In a tall glass filled with ice cubes, pour in the hibiscus tea, and then layer in the ginger, orange peel and honey blend. This spiced, sweet and tart tea combination is not only delicious, but it's beautiful colors will look like a dramatic sunset. Take a sip & enjoy! 🌅
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