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When the surf rider is unskilled...

By
Real Estate Agent with HI Pro Realty LLC RB-21531 RS-76763

 

 Hâwâwâ ka he'e nalu haki ka papa - When the surfer is unskilled, the board is broken. Used in reference to a person who is a bungler, more a hinder than a help. It also refers to one who is sexually inept, leaving their partners in want.

 

Hawai'i has a very rich tradition of proverbs and poetical sayings and 'Olelo No'eau is Hawai'i's compendium of pithy oral gems. Collected and translated by renowned linguist Mary Kawena PukuiOlelo No'eau offers a glimpse at ancient Hawai'i's profound understanding and tawny sense of humor toward the human condition, it's love of literary techniques from allegories to analogies, irony, puns, metaphor, and the double entendre to a full line up of ephitets, jokes, adages, riddles, and aphorisms. 

 

 

Honolulu has some amazing street art, this mural is on Dillingham Blvd. near Costco. Notice the broken board in the mural.

 

 Kimo's Kalabash is a repository of some of the cultural gems and treasures that make Hawai'i such an unique and profound place to live and the importance of the Hawaiian Culture and the Hawaiian Sovereignty movement and it's continued role in preserving Hawai'i nei from the onslaught of exploitation and unchecked consumerism. 

 

 

Posted by

Crypto Certified Agent - By Propy 

HI Pro Realty LLC

REALTORS®, PROPERTY MANAGERS® 

We are a boutique brokerage firm offering responsive, dedicated, and professional Real Estate Sales and Pet Friendly Management Services in Honolulu, Hawai'i. 

 

                Office: (808) 941-8866   Mobile: (808) 926-7667

 

Comments (14)

Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Thanks for sharing a bit of  your tradition, culture and humor. Amazing what I learn on AR each day.

Jun 07, 2015 08:26 PM
Kevin J. May
Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL
Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida

Kimo, glad to see the broken board, not sure how I'd react to the alternative meaving's visual on such a huge stage.

Jun 07, 2015 10:18 PM
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Kimo,

Every area of our nation and our wold has some interesting quotes and ways of looking at things. This is a good one.  Wishing you a great week.  A

Jun 08, 2015 12:10 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Aloha Kimo -- what an interesting post.  I like the juxtaposition of the garbage bin in the shot too.   Coincidence?  I think not.  

Jun 08, 2015 12:49 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Kimo this is so interesting. Every culture has their ways of dealing with lifes situations.  This one is very differenet than the norm!

Jun 08, 2015 02:51 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

That's a really long Hawaiian word to describe all those differing realities. . . Especially that last one you mention!

Jun 08, 2015 06:16 AM
Kimo Stowell
HI Pro Realty LLC RB-21531 - Honolulu, HI
REALTOR Associate® RS-76763 - Honolulu Hawai'i

Aloha Margaret, thanks for the visit and commenting!

Aloha Kevin, lol...just a little emasculating. Oh by the way Hawawa means to laugh loudly a guffaw of sorts.

Aloha R n A, so many perspectives! 

Aloha Michael, I know, it seems to fit in the composition nicely, even the lid of the dumpster echos the broken board.

Aloha Anna, innuendo can be fun and entertaining as well as embarrassing.

Aloha Myrl, it's actually a phrase with several words, Nalu means wave, Haki in this case means to break, but I get your, point! Who said brevity was the soul of wit?

Jun 08, 2015 06:30 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Aloha Kimo- Hawaii has such a rich culture and I love learning about your traditions and stories. 

Jun 08, 2015 09:02 AM
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

Love the portrait on the building.   I suppose that would be important in that area.

Jun 08, 2015 11:55 AM
Kimo Stowell
HI Pro Realty LLC RB-21531 - Honolulu, HI
REALTOR Associate® RS-76763 - Honolulu Hawai'i

Aloha Kathy, the pathos of surfing culture is most potent in Hawai'i.

Aloha William, water sports are huge in Hawai'i and surfing is king, mahalo for commenting.

Jun 09, 2015 05:12 AM
TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc.
Complete Home Inspections, Inc. - Brentwood, TN
Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029

Good morning Kimo. We have a lot of what I call southernisms. Every area has some local sayings.

Jun 10, 2015 07:39 PM
Kimo Stowell
HI Pro Realty LLC RB-21531 - Honolulu, HI
REALTOR Associate® RS-76763 - Honolulu Hawai'i

Aloha Michael, I'm sure Tennessee has as rich a history in colloquialisms as it has with music and moonshine. Mahalo for commenting.

Jun 11, 2015 09:55 AM
Nick T Pappas
Assoc. Broker ABR, CRS, SFR, e-Pro, @Homes Realty Group, Broker/Providence Property Mgmnt, LLC Huntsville AL - Huntsville, AL
Madison & Huntsville Alabama Real Estate Resource

Kimo, I like the art work and yes surfing is part of the culture so I can understand the tears :)

Jun 17, 2015 09:39 AM
Kimo Stowell
HI Pro Realty LLC RB-21531 - Honolulu, HI
REALTOR Associate® RS-76763 - Honolulu Hawai'i

Aloha Nick, colloquialisms are fun. On the surface they seem unique but they are conveying shared elements the human condition.

Jun 18, 2015 06:07 AM