Aka translates from Hawaiian to English as “shadow.” Ili i ke aka means “to cast as shadow.” An ʻōlelo noʻeau, a wise saying, says, ʻŌlelo i ke aka ka hele hoʻokahi, “one going alone talks to the shadow.” It also can mean a reflection, image, or likeness, the faint glimmer just before the moon rises, and it refers to the essence of an offering, as opposed to the substance. ʻO ke aka kā ʻoukou, ē ke akua, ʻo ka ʻiʻo kā mākou, “yours is the essence, O god, ours the material part.”
Learn more about Hawaiian culture and arts at KaʻaheleHawaii.com. Open classes are held at 10:00 am on the 1st Sunday of each month at Liliʻuokalani Gardens in Hilo.
You can also study hula and Hawaiian culture with Leilehua: KumuLeiManu@gmail.com
The Aka Malama Torch™