I met my Kumu the summer of 2007. Committed to my Kumu July 30th 2007. Progressed from being a Haumana to a Po’opua’a then became a Kumu myself through the Uniki ceremony in 2016. 

Our relationship developed over the years of living together 24/7, 7 Days a week, 365 Days a year for 7years. Where we lived in the valley of Halawa on the island of Molokai was the heart of my learning. You can read about Halawa’s significance to me in one of my previous blogs. 

What I want to get to is the level of intimacy, the closeness and the bond between a Kumu and Haumana.

Before I get there I must shed a light on the difficulties that I was faced with, through out the various stages of my tutelage. I came from a back ground which is the complete polar opposite of the Traditional and Cultural Way of Life of my Ancestry. With that said it is no secret that the struggles I faced were very real. There were several moments along the journey where I thought it was the end. And literally my Kumu was instructing me to “Get the F!*# Out” Every time I found the way in me to stick it out to keep going and to pull through. 

I spent so much of my energy and time rebelling against the changes I felt swirling inside me even as I witnessed the walls of my safe guards crumbling around me. Our Home our lives invaded by foreigners and the outside world. 

I thought I would break or loose my mind. For years following my departure from Halawa and his presence in my daily life I literally grieved the death of our ‘Once Was’. 

Still as life moved on, tensions eased, hurts and hearts healed. This bond linking us together. Silent and resiliently, Patiently and quiet in its expectancy. Our closeness and intimacy is a connection sealed under the cool light of the Full Moon. Looking back at that time in our lives, even in retelling the story all the signs where there. All the signs of the struggles, trials, heart aches and pain. So, as it should, was the Revelations. Flying over our heads, cascading down upon us. Warm and enveloping. 

From the very first moment we met it was foretold. The Depth. The Connection. We know each other so well. Now I see what life will bring expectantly with Joy, Laughter, and in Love. Armed with a Knowing that can only come from experience.

Mahalo,

Kumu Pa'a Kawika Foster