For generations across cultures, the moon phases play an integral part of how an individual exists in space and time. It allows us to connect over and over again to all that is around us - ocean, land, and people. If we are able to recognize the uniqueness of each moon phase we will be able to capture and further understand how important our actions are to those around us. E ʻike i nā pō mahina - we know our moon phases! On, we are able to establish and then confirm our intentions, guiding goals, and principles. Moreover, we are able to optimize the quality of the program, event, and activity that we prepare and plan for, and then participate in. Such ʻike of our kūpuna allows us to reflect on our actions every step of the way in our daily lives. 

As a teacher, Mele Helu Pō was a mele that was sung frequently with my students from Kindergarten through Grade 12. Kau Ka Hoaka is probably one of the most familiar lines of the oli that serves as a cognizant reminder of our ʻike kupuna and ancestral intelligence. We are charged to carry forth such ʻike in all that we do. When we hear Kau Ka Hoaka, we should set our eyes upon the night sky and kilo, observe, so that we are able to reflect on how the day was and how to plan for the next day. This should happen daily. This should happen naturally for us all. Kau Ka Hoaka...E kilo kākou!

The anahulu is broken into three different 10-day periods. The hoʻonui, or waxing, period is when the moon is getting larger. The poepoe, or round, period is when the moon is in its full phases, and then the emi, or waning period, is when the moon is decreasing. Along with knowing each moon phase, each anahulu allows us to act accordingly on things that occur in our lives. During the hoʻonui period, we create opportunities and see them through either personally or professionally. During the poepoe period, we optimize our actions to the fullest and to completion. It is a time of transformation and transition. The emi period, it is a time of reflection and evaluation of one's actions and on things that may be of less importance so that you are able to recharge and prepare yourself for things that are coming your way. It's this energy of knowing the phases that will allow us to manifest the best kanaka we can be.