He inoa no Hi‘iakaikapoliopele

He kau no Hi‘iaka

Hi‘i - to carry in arms as a child
Aka - embryo at the moment of conception

There are many meanings to both of these words. These two definitions resonate so deeply with me when I think of Hi‘iaka, who restores, heals, and sustains all life. She, who carries life into this realm in the form of seeds. She, who restores whole forests after the Pele cools. She, who has the power to give life after breath has left. She, who is precious to our people.

When I wear the lei of palai, I think of the seeds that grew into these ferns. I think of the rain that fed them. The land that held them. I think of Hi‘iaka. I feel so embraced by her when their sweet scent meets the air around me.

I feel that same embrace when I think of the way our ancestors passed down stories of how she loved/loves. The way she addresses Hōpoe, her ‘aikāne, is so beautiful. She says, “‘o‘oe kā ho‘i ka mea aloha, aloha nō kāua.” Meaning, “you, indeed, are the one I love.” This deep intimate aloha shared between these two sacred feminine deities is still so present in the way the ocean swells at Hā‘ena, in the bloom of the lehua, and in the soft caress of palai on the forest floor.

Our land and the stories of the ancient ones teach us how to love everyday. I’m unlearning what this society thinks connection means by reading these mo‘olelo and spending time under ‘ōhi‘a adorned in ‘ie‘ie. It inspires me to chant and dance. It inspires to remember. It inspires me to heal. I give thanks.

He inoa no Hi‘iakaikapoliopele