E hume i ka malo, e ho‘okala i ka ihe
Translation: Gird the malo, sharpen the spear
Today’s application: This ancient ‘olelo no‘eau (saying) was used by the koa (warriors) of Moku O Keawe as they prepared for battle. Māmalahoa has adopted this ‘olelo no‘eau as its motto to inspire its members to be modern day warriors on behalf of the Kanaka ‘Ōiwi (aboriginal peoples of Hawai‘i). That is, in part, to protect, preserve, and perpetuate the Hawaiian culture and advocate for the advancement of Kanaka ‘Ōiwi rights and benefits.
Note: This ‘olelo no‘eau may be found in Mary Kawena Pukui’s work, ‘Olelo No‘eau: Hawaiian Proverbs & Poetical Sayings (Bishop Museum Press, 1983).