What is kahu?
Having run not-for-profit organizations for the better part of my life, I have come to appreciate something that might take others a lifetime to grasp.
You see, I never owned the places where I worked. It was very clear to me that, be it a school, an arts center, a tourism bureau, a hospital, or a research institute, my role was not that of the owner. I could take great pride in the organizations for which I was responsible, but I could never own them. It was also clear that my role within these organizations was to carry the mantle of responsibility for them while I was there, but that too would end.
A friend recently posted a piece of information regarding Hawaiian culture that fascinated me. When you have a pet in Hawaii, you are never referred to as the pet’s owner. You are that pet’s “kahu,” which is defined as the “sacred role of a guardian.” Its connotation carries an extremely rich and intricate meaning that is based on both the spiritual and cultural traditions of the Hawaiian people. Essentially, kahu refers to a person who is entrusted with the safekeeping of something both cherished and precious.
Its literal translation means “guardian, keeper, or caretaker.” The word itself encapsulates a sense of protection, stewardship, and responsibility that is reflective of the connectivity between the people, the land, the sea, and the spirituality of Hawaiian culture. My friend’s post indicated that what the Kahu cares for is not their property but is a part of their soul.
Traditionally, kahu were assigned to maintain sacred sites (heiau), artifacts, and ceremonies. These kahu were extremely spiritual and required a complete understanding of Hawaiian rituals, religious practices, and the natural environment. They were members of the community recognized for their knowledge, wisdom, and ability to perform as mediators between the spiritual and physical worlds.
Kahu are not limited to religion, however. The term often extends to numerous other forms of guardianship and caregiving. Teachers who impart knowledge and values to their students while nurturing their development and growth are considered kahu. So too are caretakers of land who work to ensure the sustainability of the natural environment. Both of these roles exemplify the harmonic principles of the Hawaiian tradition.
The descriptive term in today’s culture can also be applied to other forms of leadership within the community. For example, the clergy in Christian churches who provide support, guidance, and, when possible, protection for their parishioners are kahu.
Regardless of the implications and context of each application of the term kahu, its very distinctive meaning emphasizes the fundamental aspects of traditional Hawaiian culture. It is all about the importance of caring for each other and the world around us. Whether it’s spiritual, educational, or environmental, the primary role of the kahu is to continue to respect, uphold, and nurture the well-being of the community and to ensure the continuity of cultural and spiritual traditions.
When I saw the post in which “kahu” was used to describe someone who has a pet, it became more than a word. Kahu is a testament to the values of interconnectedness that are central to life. We all should be a kahu and embrace our collective responsibilities to protect and nurture what is sacred.
We become better when we share our love, whether it is with an animal, a person, or our environment. We are better when we embrace what is truly meant to be a kahu. We don’t own anything. We are the guardians, the caregivers, and the stewards of something much greater than ourselves. We come with nothing and leave with nothing. It should be our passion, our mission, and our desire to do the best we can to leave what we have for the next caregivers, the next kahu.
Nick Jacobs is a Windber resident.