"Kapuna" - a sacred moment- a gift to receive

By Kiran Singh Sirah

Final day in O’ahu, Hawai’i, and I am so very grateful for the wonderful connections this week. Every encounter has been greeted with the warm embrace of Aloha, meaningful exchanges, invitations to homes, story sharing, and learning opportunities, for creating a better and fairer future for our world.
 
One beautiful human was the ASL interpreter from Maui, who interpreted my plenary talk this week for the Center for Disability Studies Pac Rim International conference. An incredible woman dedicated to the recovery of both Deaf and non-Deaf communities from the devastating fire that occurred months ago on Maui. As she talked, I could see clearly that her work helping to tell her community's stories, was sacred work.
 
There have been many other “talk story” moments, with disability rights, indigenous justice, and human rights activists, to a meeting a new friend yesterday, Dr. Maya Soertori-Ng, a remarkable peacebuilder, and her dear elder friend, Donna, whom Maya affectionately calls her Hanai mama. My connection with Maya began weeks ago, following an introduction from a mutual friend who suggested we should both meet. Maya suggested a cozy coffee shop that served excellent Kona coffee and matcha lattes, so that’s where we met.
 
Maya graciously gifted me a beautiful purple Lei and some hand-picked bananas from her garden, and I presented her with one of my elephant watercolors. Our conversation covered life, family, community, our late mothers, the places we call home, and the individuals who continue to inspire us.
 
It was only earlier this week, however, that a new friend in O’ahu mentioned, "You do know that’s Barack Obama's sister you’re meeting, right?" … I had no idea! It was undoubtedly a cool connection. But what was more fascinating was learning the scope and impact of her educational, peace, and justice-building work, from Ceeds of Peace, the Peace Studio, and a girls' empowerment sister program she’s cultivating alongside her brother's "My Brother's Keeper" initiative and with the Obama Foundation itself. Our discussion, like many conversations this week touched on "Kapuna" (ancestral and elders' wisdom and teachings), as well as climate justice projects designed to bring hope in today's challenging and troubled world.
 
As I reflect on all these experiences over the coming days, weeks, and months, I will be holding these memories close to my heart. I will cherish them for a lifetime. As a folklorist elder once explained to me, every encounter is a chance to not only give and share what you know- but more importantly, it’s a sacred moment- a gift to receive.