This year’s theme represents the interwoven leaders of ancient Hawai‘i who like individual ‘aho (strands) form a stronger ‘aha (cord). In ancient times, Molokaʻi was the main repository of ‘ike, and piʻo (experts) from all the islands would travel to Molokaʻi to gather, to learn and then to share the collective wisdom with their moku (district) upon their return. The resulting ‘Aha Moku system embodies this continuous flow of manaʻo between those whose ‘ike kept the balance between the needs of the people and the sustainability of the natural resources of each island. Their unity brought the knowledge of the kūpuna forward to the present ensuring prosperity into the future. It is with this understanding that the inoa Moloka‘i has a greater depth of meaning; molo (interwoven) and ka‘i (leaders).
The vertical strands or ‘aho within the circle represent the individual pi‘o of each island. The cordage or ‘aha on the outer circle depicts the ‘aho woven together creating a binding and reciprocal support among the pi‘o for the benefit of all. “A kuʻu a Molokaʻi, a mau pani a Molokaʻi” is best understood from the mindset of the lāhui who in ancient times did not view themselves as separate from the land and who had a reciprocal relationship with the pi‘o who were fundamentally committed to their wellbeing.
This year’s theme represents the interwoven leaders of ancient Hawai‘i who like individual ‘aho (strands) form a stronger ‘aha (cord). In ancient times, Molokaʻi was the main repository of ‘ike, and piʻo (experts) from all the islands would travel to Molokaʻi to gather, to learn and then to share the collective wisdom with their moku (district) upon their return. The resulting ‘Aha Moku system embodies this continuous flow of manaʻo between those whose ‘ike kept the balance between the needs of the people and the sustainability of the natural resources of each island. Their unity brought the knowledge of the kūpuna forward to the present ensuring prosperity into the future. It is with this understanding that the inoa Moloka‘i has a greater depth of meaning; molo (interwoven) and ka‘i (leaders).
The vertical strands or ‘aho within the circle represent the individual pi‘o of each island. The cordage or ‘aha on the outer circle depicts the ‘aho woven together creating a binding and reciprocal support among the pi‘o for the benefit of all. “A kuʻu a Molokaʻi, a mau pani a Molokaʻi” is best understood from the mindset of the lāhui who in ancient times did not view themselves as separate from the land and who had a reciprocal relationship with the pi‘o who were fundamentally committed to their wellbeing.
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Updated: 05/26/17
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