Welcome to another edition of Helping Humpday, dedicated to Kossacks helping one another through personal emergencies or tough times. Humpday — because we’re smack dab in the middle of the work week and getting over that hump sure looks sweet. But for some folks in this community, the humps they need to get over are far more daunting than looking forward to the weekend. That is where Helping comes in.
Aloha, Senator Akaka. This past Friday Hawaii, the Democrats, and the nation lost a gentle soul and gentleman — Senator Daniel Akaka. Yesterday, Hawaii’s U.S. senators paid tribute to the late senator, who was the first Native Hawaiian to hold that office. They remarked on Akaka’s 40 years in Washington, where he championed education, veterans rights, federal workers, whistle blower legislation, social welfare programs to aid the vulnerable, and in particular recognition for Native Hawaiians as a sovereign indigenous people on par with other Native American groups. His legacy is one of compassion, kindness, integrity, and service. In their tribute, his colleagues recalled example of how Akaka served with aloha, earning the moniker “ambassador of aloha.”
Most of all, he embodied the aloha spirit and showed us all what it means to have a pure heart and be a true public servant.
The Way of Aloha. Daniel Akaka came to Washington during an era when Hawaii was experiencing a resurgence of the traditional Aloha Spirit. It began in the 1970s (or even as far back as the 1930s), when fearing the loss of traditional way of life and cultural references, elders were inspired to codify stories, teach classes, and actively promote the concept of Aloha to the next generations. Aloha went mainstream. Bumper stickers call us to “Practice Aloha.” Hawaiians (and everyone else) are extolled to live a more fully Hawaiian life. In fact, Auntie Pilahi Paki, a cherished elder and a “keeper of the secrets of Hawai’i,” once spoke of how Aloha was the remedy that would save a hurting world. That is a tall order.
So what is this powerful concept? And what exactly should “living a fully Hawaiian life” of Aloha Spirit really entail?
The Deep Meaning of Aloha. As with most traditions of deep cultural and spiritual significance, one has to go back to the root language to decipher the complex meaning of Aloha. Literally translated using Hawaiian grammatical rules, aloha means “joyfully sharing life.” Drilling down, aloha incorporates roots of several Hawaiian words. For those of you who, like me, find the origins of language fascinating, here is an insightful discussion of the root words and the many interpretations of those words from which is derived the Deeper Meaning of Aloha. It is broadly interpreted to incorporate love, affection, compassion, mercy, sympathy, pity, kindness, generosity, humility, peace, and grace.
“Joyfully sharing life” with generosity and kindness are the traits that define native Hawaiians. As a spiritual concept, Aloha is a “coordination of heart and mind” to bring the individual to their truest self. In short, Aloha embodies the philosophy of the Hawaiian people and a code of ethical behavior toward those with whom we share the planet and toward the planet itself. So central is this concept to Hawaiians that the Spirit of Aloha is actually codified in state law and serves as a code of ethics for government to remind civil servants to treat all people with care and respect.
But that’s just the beginning, because Aloha is also a call to individual and collaborative action (sound familiar? — this really is a universal concept). Elders called Aloha the life force that defined “who we are and why we are here.” And the why is important. Traditional Aloha was a communal concept. Aloha defined all relationships in the community, with each individual important to every other member. Simple acts of kindness were both given and received with a smile. And thus mutual regard for all and caring for others without expectation of reward or return became core values. The essence of the Aloha Spirit is sharing with those less fortunate with a generous heart and service to the community for the common good. And possibly unique to Aloha is the joy and gentleness with which this obligation is performed. That really is the Aloha Spirit.
Helping Humpday is organized around the same principle of extending kindness and care towards our fellow Kossacks and extending a hand to community members in need with “a giving spirit.” Many small donations amplify our ability at HHDay to be the community safety net. Because until such time as we get the government that we want and deserve, when there will be no need for fundraisers, some Kossacks may need the help and compassion of this caring and generous community. That’s why HHday resides at Street Prophets Coffee Hour, the intersection where politics and ethical values conveniently meet and sometime collide. Here we may highlight a particular Kossack’s story, share links to appeal diaries, share links to support services or other information, spread the word, offer a shoulder to lean on.
Finally, I end with the same sign off as offered by Senator Akaka his final day on the Senate floor on December 12, 2012 — the traditional Hawaiian farewell, "a hui hou" (until we meet again). Virtual tea, coffee, hugs, the occasional cat or dog pic, and a musical interlude along with the Community Needs List and Links are below the fold. Please join us.
This is an open thread.
THIS WEEK’S HIGHLIGHTED NEED/LINK
HELP FINEENA GET LIFE-SAVING DENTAL PROCEDURE
Fineena needs help raising $2600 to get five infected teeth extracted as soon as possible. Last time she ignored infected teeth, it put her in the hospital and she accrued $25,000 in medical bills. We can’t let that happen again.
Fineena works, but is struggling to become self sufficient. It has been two steps forward, one step back. But she is making progress. If this morphs into another health emergency, it will be more than a major setback — it could be life threatening. She needs this taken care of immediately.
Recs, comments, and sharing are all needed as well as those important donations.
SOCIAL MEDIA — Help Spread the Word
Help us get the word out! If helping financially isn’t the right option for you — or you want to do more — then be the link between need and fulfillment. If you are active on Social Media, go to the linked fund-raising pages on the Needs List and use the social media icons on the page to share it throughout your contacts on Facebook, Twitter, whatever platform you use. If you are active on DKOS, and it is appropriate for your members, republish this diary to your groups and tip, comment, rec so it stays on the sidebar as long as possible.
FULL COMMUNITY NEEDS LIST
Have a few dollars to spare? Financial assistance is, of course, our most critical need. Consider donating to any of the fundraisers below. Encouraging words of support and virtual hugs are always welcome, too. And are also a way of helping. When folks feel low or alone, they need to know we value them as part of our community.
Community needs list as of 4/10/18. Please kosmail any updates, corrections or additions to basket.
New & Upcoming/Urgent
JTG — Needs $300 for spaying and vaccinations of multiple dogs and canned dog food & flea meds for dogs and cats from Amazon Wishlist for Pet Supplies. PayPal is james at jamesthomasgreen dot com (GoFundMe; kosmail for postal address or other options)
JAN4INSIGHT — Needs $695 535 for April mortgage payment by 4/12 to avoid late fees; purchases from Zibbet or Daily Paintworks using PayPal or PayPal Credit as payment method will also help, as will buying "coffee" via Ko-Fi. PayPal is burchjan at gmail dot com
RICKNELSONMN — Had a partial knee replacement last year but unexpected complications require total knee replacement urgently. Needs $4,000 3,785 to cover expenses and bills while recuperating after surgery. (GoFundMe,diary explaining his situation)
KOS KATALOGUE
Link to this week’s edition of the newly named weekly series:
It’s not time sensitive, so stop by to chat, share, and see what Kossack vendors and artists and other entrepreneurs are up to. You just might find something extraordinary.
It’s open all year round! Every purchase supports a Kossack, and you get to stay out of those crowded malls. Purchasing from these vendors and artisans helps folks remain self sufficient and financially independent. Plus these folks are just plain good at what they do.
What’s the philosophy behind the Community Needs List? BfitzinAR, who for so long nurtured these Lists and womanned Helping Humpday, explains:
Kossacks taking care of our own — helping by sharing/donating money or needed items, helping by sharing both donation site links and artisan/vendor site links and purchasing gifts for self or others , helping by sharing knowledge and informational links, or helping by just sharing a hug or a cup of coffee as appropriate — is what community is all about.
We are community — clan, tribe, company, village, culture, and state. Community survives beyond the life of any single member and thrives by supporting and strengthening the life of each individual member — by helping each other, by sharing — all togethe
MUSICAL INTERLUDE
Finally, the weekly musical interlude is my favorite quirky version of
Over the Rainbow. The arrangement is the one most associated with the beloved late Hawaiian singer Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwoʻole. His version can be viewed here
IZ Sings Over the Rainbow. But I chose this random act of sharing a smile and a song to chase away those Monday morning commuter blues, when two musicians board a subway in Australia — no, the harmonies aren’t perfect but the result is rather magical.
It really does take a Village, so thanks to the entire Community Links and Lists Team, many of whom reside in The Village DKOS group. And special thanks to WYgalinCali for her commitment to writing and supporting the stand-alone special appeals diaries.
This is an open thread, so all topics welcome. Be kind to one another, we’re all in this together.
The blog is now open.