Hoʻokāhi ka ʻilau like ana (1)
Wield the paddles together
[Work together]
“Learn to love the land and the people,
and then you will know what you are fighting for” (2)
Quotes in each module
At the beginning of each new week/new module, quotes are provided as an introductory, setting-of-the-stage. The quotes provide, in essence, an insight, from a cultural perspective – a Pacific Lens. Quotes come from ‘Ōlelo No‘eau proverbs and the book, Daughters of the Pacific.
‘Ōlelo No‘eau
The highest form of cultural expression for Hawaiians is “the spoken word”. These citations are expressions of wisdom. For this course, each citation was selected to represent the overall theme of that week’s modular content. The citations are provided in Hawaiian, first, followed by the literal (or near-literal) translation. It is important to note that these expressions were just that – expressions, spoken words. Their meanings and intent often cannot be literally translated into Western concepts and definitions. That said, the expressions offer a basis for understanding the essence and origins of traditional Hawaiian values.
Daughters of the Pacific
Stories and quotes from a woman’s travels in the Pacific during 1986-1987 are offered in this text. The intent of the author and traveler (Zohl dé Ishtar) was to raise awareness of the Pacific, particularly women in the Pacific. The culture of the Pacific is often romantically westernized, suggesting a world of “magic”. The selection of each quote for each weekly module is intended to portray a more realistic vision of the values and cultures in the Pacific. Although many of the quotes seem to display pain and cultural trauma, as the foreword writer (Bridget Roberts) writes:
“…then I travelled through parts of the Pacific. What did I learn from the women I met? Endurance, humour, compassion, a sense of connection to elders and to future generations, the value of story-telling…”
Pre-Launch Checklist
What do I need to think about during this module?
- What will we do together in this course?
- What is expected of me?
- What can I expect from the instructor?
- What would I like to get out of this course?
- How will I manage my time to ensure that I complete all my work on time?
By the end of this module, you will be able to...
- Describe the overall course objectives and expectations
- Explain how the concept of canoe paddling will guide the course content and structure
- Relate the “Process of Cultural Competence” (Campinha-Bacote model) to the process of this course
- Identify the geographic location of different Pacific Island jurisdictions
- Describe the inhabitants of the the Pacific Island jurisdictions including those who are indigenous and those who have migrated
(1)Pukui, M. K., & Varez, D. (1983). ‘Ōlelo No‘eau: Hawaiian proverbs & poetical sayings [1068]. Honolulu, Hawai’i: Bishop Museum Press.
(2)dé Ishtar, Z. (1994). Daughters of the Pacific (p. 236). Victoria, Australia. Spinifex Press Pty Ltd.