Everyone Has a Role

While visiting the Smithsonian Museums in Washington DC, we got to go to three different museums. One of them was the museum of Natural History. When you enter, your attention is immediately grabbed by Henry-the huge African elephant that stands in the center of the entry. There were many different exhibits showing natural phenomena throughout time, like a display of the Ice Age, a dinosaur exhibit, minerals and gems including the Hope Diamond, and a butterfly exhibit which allowed us to walk into a dome and be surrounded by live butterflies of all sizes and colors. Some were even landing on people and trying to hitch rides OUT of the dome!

On the first floor of the museum, a whole section about the ocean was on display. The entry implored us, "Saving the ocean is urgent. Everyone has a role." Halau Ku Mana has taught us that our ancestors were the ultimate stewards of their finite resources. Kanehunamoku has taught us that the ocean is not a divider, but a highway that connects us all. And Hokule'a, through her worldwide voyage which has begun, has reminded us that MALAMA HONUA is EVERYONE'S kuleana. As Hokule'a begins her sail around the world, this quote in the Smithsonian Museum rings true-from one end of the globe to the other.