No Be Hookiekie

Aloha — to have compassion, empathy, or grace

Hookiekie — lord it over others, disrespectful to seniors, conceit

Aloha e ko'u poe heluhelu,

Once I became fluent in Hawaiian, my wife and mentors encouraged me to take classes at UH Manoa to further my study of olelo Hawaii.

On the first day of class everyone sat in a circle introducing themselves in Hawaiian. One of the girls said she was a science major but wanted to continue learning Hawaiian. A few introductions later, another student said in a sassy tone, "If your major isn't Hawaiian, why are you taking this class?"

I was caught completely off guard. I had never seen anything like that before. Sadly, that science major never came back.

Every now and then I think it is good to say this plainly. I cannot stand that kind of attitude. This hookiekie (high makamaka) attitude that some language people carry is not something I appreciate. I felt so much aloha for that girl who never came back. If you want to minor in olelo and major in science, why not? Go for it!

Each year I was at Manoa, experiences like that piled up. The whole "I speak Hawaiian and you don't, so I'm better than you" attitude is ridiculous.

I tutor students every week. I hear the wrong word used, a hamajang sentence structure, and funny kine accents, but I do not hookiekie ia'u iho i luna o lakou (put myself above them). I am the kumu. They are the haumana coming to me for knowledge. The hierarchy, or power dynamic, call it what you will, is already established. Do I need to put them down and make them feel ashamed? No. That is ugly behavior and I do not condone it.

As you know, I learn directly from native speakers from Niihau and Hawaii Island. Not one of them has ever been hookiekie. And trust me, they have every right to be. To me, that is a true sign of being Hawaiian. Even when you are the most knowledgeable person in the room, you do not have to elevate yourself over others. You sit haahaa (humble) and go on with the day.

I hear Hawaiian words and names mispronounced in conversation all the time. I do not call people out on the spot. I just keep talking. Some family and friends have corrected themselves over time simply because they know my background and decide to follow suit. Others do not, and honestly, some people are just unaware. No problem.

I have been putting out some strong newsletters lately and thought it was worth clearing the air. I hope everyone decides to learn and grow, but I do not expect it. I will not force anyone or make them feel less than. If you do not want to learn, that is up to you. If you want to and are making mistakes left and right, keep going. I understand and have aloha either way.

Lawa no keia,
Maluhia