When one is in Hawaii long enough one hears the term 'OHANA, which is the term for family. Not only does it mean blood-related but also adoptive and intentional, which includes neighbors and community.
The root of the word 'oka refers to the root or corm of the taro plant which is the "staff of life" in Hawaii. The word is imbued with loyalty, support, compassion, and love. It is a great honor to be part of an 'ohana and it means you will never be forgotten or left behind. We actually have no equivalent word in English
One feels the 'ohana in the Church here, perhaps more than in large Churches on the mainland. The Church here seems to be more united into the family of God, and this could be because the Hawaiian people have not yet forgotten the true meaning of family.
The Church incorporates the true meaning of ALOHA- a way of life in harmony, balance and treating others with love respect, trust, and support. Is it because life is slower and people take more time to savor life and friendship?`````````````````````
Whenever I return here, and it has been five years, I am treated as a member of the 'ohana in the church. Last Sunday we went to the windward side of the island for Mass, with the priest who had been pastor here my first three visits. He now has three small parishes, two of which are missions. The one we attended has about 40 parishioners. Even though I knew no one, I was immediately incorporated into the 'ohana.
Then this past Sunday we went to another small church, which was not only celebrating the Mass, but also the feast of the parish's patroness, Our Lady of Lourdes. Again the priest and people accepted me as one of their own acknowledging my place in the Church as a religious but also a member of their family.
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