Wealth isn't always measured by what we have, but also by the gifts we carry, the relationships we nurture, and the ways we contribute to our communities. This understanding was at the heart of HCYP's October 17 Meet & Greet at Hui Mālama o Ke Kai in Waimānalo, where youth and educators explored waiwai, reciprocity, and ʻauamo kuleana through shared learning and reflection.
Kumu Maile invited participants to look beyond conventional definitions of wealth and consider the abundance already present within themselves, their relationships, and their communities. She challenged the idea of philanthropy as a one-way transaction, encouraging participants to think instead about reciprocity as an ongoing circle of giving, receiving, and caring for one another.
As Kumu Maile shared, “Gifts are how we contribute, and how we engage in relationships.” Recognizing those gifts is important, but so is listening to and understanding the people and communities with whom we share them.
Through personal reflection, participants explored their strengths, values, and the qualities that make them unique. Using plants found in Hawaiʻi as metaphors, they considered how their individual gifts connect to who they are and what they bring to their communities. The activity reinforced an understanding of waiwai as something already present within each person, rather than something they must acquire.
These ideas connect to the ongoing work of HCYP's advisory boards and Fellows. While board members continued their respective initiatives, Fellows practiced waiwai mapping, identifying the people, places, relationships, and knowledge that contribute to community abundance.
As HCYP continues its third year, the focus on ʻauamo kuleana invites youth and educators to recognize that the gifts we carry are also privileges, offering opportunities to contribute with intention, strengthen relationships, and care for the communities to which we belong.
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