FAMILY MATTERS
It's a time to reflect on having, sharing

By Ka'ohua Lucas

"OK, Mommy," my 9-year-old announced, unfolding and smoothing out a crumpled piece of paper he had found in the back pocket of his shorts, "I found my Christmas list."

I eyed him warily.

"That's great, sweetheart," I said, continuing to slice the cucumber that would eventually become part of a dinner salad.

"I wonder how many children actually receive gifts for Christmas?"

He looked at me with incredulous eyes: "Everyone does, right?"

"Well, some children receive a lot more than others," I responded. "In fact, many children, including adults, lose sight in the true meaning of Christmas."

"Gosh, Mom," my 13-year-old said, rolling his eyes. "Not another mo'olelo (story)."

"In fact, it is a mo'olelo," I said. "And one you haven't heard yet."

There was once a greedy chief by the name of Halaea.

Everyday he would paddle out to his fleet of fishing canoes and shout, "This fish is mine! The fish is mine!"

Halaea was extremely greedy and insisted on keeping the fish catch for himself. He never shared with the fishermen or their families, and left them to eat herbs for food. Halaea and his retainers would feast on delectable fish and whatever remained was recklessly wasted.

The chief's behavior aggravated the people. When the ahi season arrived, the people were called together to prepare for the fishing expedition. The canoes were loaded with nets and bait.

It was agreed that as soon as the ahi was caught, the fish would be deposited on Halaea's canoe and the fishermen would immediately return home "without a backwards glance."

The first catch was dumped into the chief's canoe. Even then, everyone could hear Halaea shout, "Bring me the fish! Bring me the fish!"

The second, third, fourth and fifth canoes deposited their loads into the chief's canoe.

All of a sudden, Halaea saw the danger of swamping and called out, "The chief has fish enough!"

"Not so!" cried the fishermen. "Here is all the fish the chief desires!"

The men piled the last load into Halaea's canoe.

His canoe began to sink rapidly.

The chief pleaded for help, but the fishermen had already returned to land.

And so Halaea, the greedy chief, perished in the sea surrounded by the objects of his greed.

"Hey, that's a cool story," my 13-year-old said.

I looked over at my youngest who was deep in thought.

"What do you think?" I asked.

"I think I don't want to be like Halaea," he said. "I'm going to give the army men and Legos that I never use to a boy who would like them."

As he marched off to the bedroom to collect his unused toys, I thought how remarkable a simple story such as Halaea could elicit the kind of reaction it did on my youngest.

It also reminded me of a wise saying that reflects the true meaning of Christmas.

A'ohe mea koe ma ku'ono.

Nothing remains in the corners.

This olelo no'eau is said of one who is extremely generous, giving freely without reservation.

Reach Ka'ohua Lucas at Family Matters, 'Ohana section, The Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802; ohana@honoluluadvertiser.com; or fax 525-8055.