Malama ke kua’ana i ke kaikaina,
ho’olohe ke kaikaina i ke kua’ana.

The older sibling cares for the younger sibling,
And the younger sibling listens to the older sibling.

—Lāiana Kanoa-Wong
Hawaiian Word of the Day, Hawaii News Now

•••

Though, like all gods and goddesses,
Pele inhabits all of Hawaii,

the fiery volcano goddess makes her home
in Halema’uma’u crater at the summit

of Kilauea volcano on the Big Island—where,
for almost a year now, she has burst into

fabulous displays of fountaining lava. She’s
like that at times, the show-offy older sister,

unlike her younger sister Hi’iaka, the
goddess of hula and healing, whose

sacred power over lightning makes the sky
flash with streaks of quiet power.

They work together: Pele creates new land
and Hi’aka heals it, greens it, makes it fertile,

causes new life to grow. As you have done,
kaikaina, younger sister, your gentle hand

on the tiller of this family for six-and-a-half
decades, bringing the light and growth

and healing to so many, including your
kaikua’ana, this grateful older sister,

wishing you a tender hau’oli la hanau
on this, your birthday.

•••

For Donna Gail, best thither ever, on her 65th birthday!