By Hiʻilani Shibata
NaHHA would like to share a feature from one of our Lamakū Hoʻokipa, our Beacons of Hospitality, who are making a positive impact through the value of mālama and as a contributing member of the Native Hawaiian community.
Born under the mahina ʻo Kūlua in the heavens, sheltered by the protection of Maunakea and nurtured by Kauakanilehua – the rain that stirs the lehua blossoms – I was given the name Hiʻilani by my grandmother and grand aunt, reminding me of my kuleana.
Hiʻilani means “held in the arms of heaven,” and my grandmother shared that this name was meant to guide me, helping me carry myself with dignity and honor, knowing my ancestors walk with me.
It is my kuleana, my privilege, to be ʻŌiwi Hawaiʻi, Native Hawaiian, and to share the richness of our culture with the world. My journey has been one of deep gratitude and joy. As an educator and Hawaiian culture consultant, I have the honor of sharing the foundational values of Hawaiian culture with thousands of people – both online and in person – from diverse backgrounds, professions, and regions across the globe.
It is paramount to me that authentic Hawaiian culture is not only preserved and protected, but also nurtured to thrive within our community.
At Ka Mahina Project, I help people understand the Hawaiian lunar calendar and its profound influence on our mental, spiritual, and emotional wellbeing. There are 30 identified moon phases, each with a unique Hawaiian name and purpose, and I am honored to guide others through these values, stories, and philosophies.
As a makuahine (mother), I have been blessed with four keiki who teach me the true meaning of ahonui (patience), lōkahi (unity), and aloha every day. Raised by a Native Hawaiian mother and a Japanese father, I deeply appreciate the unique ʻohana values that bind us to the ʻāina (land). The strength of our moʻokūʻauhau (genealogy) lives on in them.
As a haku hoʻoponopono (facilitator of conflict resolution) and a lomi practitioner, I serve my community with humility. I believe that every person is a healer in their own way, and the health of our lāhui (nation) depends on embracing the unique qualities of each ʻohana. My maternal grandmother passed on her kuleana to me, and from a young age, I understood that I would continue our ʻohana legacy.
Aloha i kekahi i kekahi – share love with everyone, no matter what has transpired.
It is our kuleana as ʻŌiwi Hawaiʻi. E ola!
Hiʻilani Shibata is the lead cultural trainer for the Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association (NaHHA), and a freelance cultural and language consultant. Hiʻilani is also the co-founder and content creator of Ka Mahina Project, where people can engage daily with the Hawaiian lunar phases to find and build cultural, spiritual, emotional and physical connections through learning about the mahina (moon). For more information visit www.kamahinaproject.com/ or email hiilanishibata@gmail.com.
