COVID-19 Clarity — Guidance for the People of Hawai‘i

Aloha mai kākou,

Ali‘i Nui Mō‘ī Edmund Keli‘i Silva Jr. has released a letter to the people of Hawai‘i addressing the growing concerns over COVID-19. While state officials and agencies have made reassuring statements, the King reminds us to seek truth with wisdom and not to accept easy answers when lives are at stake.

Facing the Reality of COVID-19

Government statements often suggest that the virus can only spread once symptoms appear. However, leading experts worldwide — including Dr. Anthony Fauci of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases — acknowledge evidence of asymptomatic transmission. This means the virus may spread silently, even before symptoms are noticed.

For our islands, this reality demands preparation and vigilance.

Common Sense Protection

The King encourages all citizens to combine modern precaution with Hawaiian ancestral wisdom:

• Kai pa‘akai — Sea salt rinses and inhalation to cleanse and protect sinuses and lungs.
• La‘au lapa‘au — Healing plants such as noni, elderberry, garlic, and licorice to strengthen the body.
• Zinc and immune support through herbs, fruits, and hydration.
• Hoʻomākaukau — Preparation of food and water supplies to sustain ʻohana for several weeks.
• Mālama i ka ʻāina — Care for the land by supporting local farmers and markets, ensuring healthy food while strengthening our communities.

These steps, while not guarantees, reflect the pono — righteousness — of preparing wisely for ourselves and our ʻohana.

A Call to Courage and Unity

Fear, the King reminds us, is destructive. Instead, we are called to live with aloha, seek strength in Akua — God, and protect one another through shared responsibility. By limiting large gatherings, practicing good hygiene, and embracing both science and Indigenous knowledge, we honor our kūpuna — ancestors — and safeguard our future.

“We the People, Na Kanaka Maoli, fear no one and nothing, for it is fear that destroys the mind and body of man. Let us turn to Akua, ʻOhana, and one another for strength and peace during this time of difficulty.”

Though the world is uncertain, only a small percentage of humanity has been touched by this virus so far. With wisdom, preparation, and aloha, we can protect our people and emerge stronger.

Ua Mau Ke Ea o ka ʻĀina i ka Pono — The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness.