The Story of Our Source
A Tale of Aloha and Mana
In the heart of Hawaii, where the mountains meet the ocean, there is a sacred place known as Mauna Loa. Mauna Loa is considered a sacred place in Hawaiian culture. It is one of the Earth’s most active volcanoes and holds significant cultural and spiritual importance to the Native Hawaiian people. The mountain is revered as a powerful and sacred entity, embodying the connection between the land, the gods, and the people.
There was a mystical artesian spring hidden deep within the lush, green valleys, and its water flowed over ancient volcanic rock, giving it a unique and powerful essence. The people of the land believed that the water held great “mana” (spiritual energy of the islands).
There was a mystical artesian spring hidden deep within the lush, green valleys, and its water flowed over ancient volcanic rock, giving it a unique and powerful essence. The people of the land believed that the water held great “mana” (spiritual energy of the islands).
In a small “hale” (house or home) near the spring lived an “ohana” (family) that had tended to the water for generations. They were known as the Keepers. The matriarch of the family, Kūpuna Mele, was revered for her wisdom and her deep connection to the land, or aina (land). Every day, she would teach her “keiki” (children) the importance of “mālama ‘āina” (caring for the land) and living with “aloha” (love, peace, and compassion).
One day, as Kūpuna Mele and her family were collecting water from the spring, she noticed a disturbance in the flow. The water, usually clear and pure, was now murky. Kūpuna Mele knew this was a sign that something was not “pono” (righteous, balanced) in their land. Gathering her “ohana” (family), she said, “We must “ho‘oponopono” (to make things right, to correct), to make things right again.”
The family set out on a journey “mauka” (toward the mountains), to find the source of the disturbance. As they climbed, they saw signs of deforestation and pollution, caused by a group of “haole” (foreigners, non-natives) who did not understand the sacredness of the land. Kūpuna Mele knew it was her “kuleana” (responsibility) to educate them.
With a “lei” (garland or wreath) in hand as a symbol of peace and unity, or “lokahi” (unity, harmony), she approached the “haole” (foreigners). She greeted them with “aloha” (hello, goodbye, love, peace, and compassion) and shared the story of Hawaiian Springs and its “mana” (spiritual energy). She explained the “kapu” (sacred, forbidden laws), and how they must be respected to keep the land and water pure.
Moved by her words and the spirit of “aloha” (love, peace, and compassion), the “haole” (foreigners) agreed to stop their harmful actions and help restore the land. Together, they planted trees, cleaned the streams, and built structures that would protect the environment. They learned the meaning of “hana” (work, craft, or activity), hard work, and the importance of living in harmony with nature.
As the weeks passed, the water of Hawaiian Springs began to clear, and its powerful “mana” (spiritual energy) was restored. The spring, once again, flowed with the purest water, enriched by the volcanic rock and the love of the people. The story of Kūpuna Mele and her “ohana” (family) spread throughout the islands, becoming a legend of how “aloha” (love, peace, and compassion), “kuleana” (responsibility), and “lokahi” (unity, harmony) can restore balance and harmony.
From that day forward, Hawaiian Springs became not just a source of water but a symbol of the spirit of Hawaii. Visitors from all over the world came to drink from the spring, bringing a piece of its “mana” (spiritual energy) back to their lands. And every time someone tasted its water, they were reminded of the “aloha” (love, peace, and compassion) that flows through the veins of Hawaii and the importance of living with respect and love for the “’aina” (land).
The legend of Hawaiian Springs and Mauna Loa, the sacred mountain and volcano, tells of how rainwater filters through the volcanic rock to a depth of about 13,000 feet. Along the way, it picks up the unique pH and minerals that Hawaiian Springs is known for. This natural filtration process, believed to take decades, imbues the water with the purest essence of Hawaii. The sacred energy of Mauna Loa and the journey of the water through its depths highlight the profound connection between the land, the water, and the people, making every drop of Hawaiian Springs water a true gift from the heart of the islands.
This story is a “mo‘olelo” (traditional narrative) and a parable, created to teach the lesson of the sacred energy and the importance of Hawaiian Springs water. “Mo‘olelo” are traditional Hawaiian stories that preserve history, lessons, and cultural values, serving as a means to pass on wisdom from generation to generation.