Upcoming Da' Hawai`i Club Events
Updated 9-23-2008

* Kôkua

Kôkua, pronounced [KOH' koo (w)ah], means "to lend support, help one another, to provide mutual assistance, cooperate, reciprocate."  

On a literal level, the root words reveal this word's origins.  Ko  means "your" and kua means "back" in Hawaiian.  When the ancient Hawaiians felled koa trees, ten to twelve feet in circumference, from the uplands to make their outrigger canoes, they put their backs to their task, working together, to get those giant logs down to the shore.  To this day, when Hawai`i people work,  we literally put our backs to the task, i.e., we go all out in harmony working for the good of the group.  

On a figurative level, kôkua means to "give from the heart out of Aloha and Mahalo without expecting anything back in return."  It is a uniquely Hawaiian social concept of helping out and contributing to the group without any hint of individual gain or glory-seeking. 

Many of us grew up with this Hawaiian value deeply ingrained in us.  Have you noticed how club members are quick to volunteer -- kôkua?  Have you noticed how everybody jumps in and helps out without hesitation? Have you also noticed how members work hard in a cooperative way, then play hard when the work is done?  That's being pono (balanced), another important Hawaiian value. 

Lucky nô, we come from Hawai`i!