In my storm of disoriented uncertainty,

I sought purpose in my process.

Noho’ana,
My Manawa in Hawai’i

Translated to transfer meaning into English, this means:

  “A way of life, My time in Hawai’i”

An island, blooming with life & teeming with potential.

Section 1: Flora
of the Island

Learning from the Island was Healing

Rediscovering my purpose,
and seeing through the foliage.

This has been a new beginning for me.

I’ve been living each day with newfound confidence,
rediscovering my curious spirit with the aid of
the native Hawaiian culture’s caring touch.

Lessons of the Island

Life flourishes at its own pace on the island, finding its distinctive purpose.

When I think back to where it all began, I think of my photography - I think of the moments and sights that felt so special that I simply wanted to capture it forever, so that I can release it and keep a part of its image with me forever.

— Reconnecting with my Creative Voice, nature was an outlet of inspiration and connecting with the natural world around me.

Section 2:

Glimmers of Inspiration

Rediscovering

My Motivation

Identity

Fulfillment

Purpose

Inspiration

“Taking pictures is savoring life intensely, every hundredth of a second.”

— Marc Riboud

“Spending my time on the island healing, I managed to reconnect with myself.”

“Taking the time to rest and recover, I gave
myself the chance to finally lean inward.


Appreciation and gratitude became easier and more possible because anger became less pleasant compared to the peace I had learned.”

Section 3:
Geckos Spotted

“Much like how a gecko changes colors,
so too do we change our colors in time.”

“But we don’t lose our shape.”

Section 4:

Turtle Sightings

Alaka’i, a Hawaiian word that means ‘leading by example’, helped me center myself in my values, morals, and ethics.

Only once I can respect and trust myself enough to tread my own path can I truly be sturdy and calm in my journey to find my purpose.

“Ua hilo ‘ia i ke aho a ke aloha.
Braided with the cords of love.
Held in the bond of Affection.”

— Excerpt from ‘Ōlelo No‘eau: Hawaiian Proverbs & Poetical Sayings

Written by Mary Kawena Pukui

Section 5:

Gazing Upon
Past Visits

While looking forward into the future,
it doesn’t hurt to look back at how far we’ve made it.

The Island’s

Early Influence

Hawaiian culture has always had a profound influence on my life, long before I was aware of the effects it had on my attitude and perspective.

[March 2023]

Title: “Boys by the River of ‘Īao Valley”

[October 2023]

Title: “Plumerias”

[March 2023]

Title: “Branching Roots Exposed”

I await my next return in June 2025 with one of my best friends, to show her the spirit of the island.

Until my next return, my heart will hold closely the memories that I have gathered from the souls of the island. I have had the fortune of crossing paths with many bright individuals, and may our paths cross again soon~ ♥️

In loving memory

Grandma Karen

I wish I’d finished this anthology for “Noho’ana, My Manawa in Hawai’i” sooner, so I could have shown you.

Instead, I will dedicate this collection to your memory - for all the ways you embraced the culture of Maui, lessons and community alike, and made them a cornerstone of our own Ohana on the mainland.

As I’ve become older, I’ve became increasingly aware of how simple you made navigating such a complex world look - you had boiled it down to a discipline of knowing your priorities & values, setting your goals, and then choosing to dedicate yourself to going for your goals. You recognized the complexities of life without letting them become roadblocks; in watching you do so (and in ways that I still have not yet realized), you taught me to be strong in my vulnerabilities.

So thank you, Grandma, for all that you did.

You were truly one of a kind.

<3

The Full Archive

Citations for Cultural Research:

Hawaiian Core Values:

‘Ike Loa:

‘Imi Ola:

Kokua:

Ka la hiki ola:

Laulima:

Aloha Spirit

Book of Hawaiian Proverbs:

  • Introduction, Pg. XVI: “‘Ōlelo No‘eau: Hawaiian Proverbs & Poetical Sayings” By Mary Kawena Pukui

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