Tutu Manulele Dudoit, Grandmother (Hawaii, USA)

Manulele’s Dudoit was born during Hawaii’s transition from old to new in 1950. Because her parents and grandparents were pro America, rather than the traditional practice of dreaming her name, she was given an American name at birth. It wasn’t until her 40’s that her Kahuna Lomi Lomi gifted her spiritual name. She had studied protocols, and prepared to interview to apprentice, but nothing could prepare her for how her life would change. As Lomi Lomi spoke the words, “I call you, Manulele”, the scents, lights, and artifacts that illuminated felt like a lightning bolt opening her heart. For the first time she experienced coming home, fully into her power. She saw a blinding infusion of light, so powerful that it scared her, yet her soul and spirit knew that it was right. Within seconds, all its beauty became apparent. As a singer who had performed on stage with musical geniuses for decades, she recognized her next level of truth and value. In the past, she had been, in many ways, indirect, which she realized is unloving, disrespectful, and even manipulative. She transformed her actions and stepped into speaking directly, truthfully, and honorably from that day forward. As a Hawaiian, she acknowledges her teachers and ancestors, far beyond any credentials. Manulele is a deep spiritual practitioner, and she leads a life of Pono because of the gifts of all her teachers.  She was raised with a strong work ethic, to improve the life of her family and community. She believes in all kingdoms, the Father and the Son, all cultures, and all races. She believes we can experience peace, joy, justice, and love, by each doing our part to bring balance for man, women, the planet, the animals, and all kingdoms. She believes that if we remember spirit, and we connect from spirit, that anything is possible. Like the Dalai Lama shares, we are all on the journey to the top of our respective mountains: yet once we reach the top, our view is all the same. No matter our regional, cultural, and racial beliefs, we are one, climbing together to reach the same goal. We are all sacred. We are here to recognize that any harm, shame, blame, and sacrifice can be transformed, and we can work together to do this. In Hawaii the greatest teaching is “Aloha.” It is love. It is to love one another as we love ourselves. Hawaiian words are deep. Alo in the presence of God. Ha is the breath given to us by the Creator: the breath and presence of God that we share together. When we greet one another, we come together, forehead and nose, breathing in the essence of God in one another as a deep “hello” and a chest full of Aloha. With Aloha, anything and everything is possible. To live with Aloha is to love one another, ourselves, and everything we touch, think, and act upon. It is to stand beside and hold one another’s beliefs, concerns, and sorrows, as well as their joys and accomplishments. Manulele’s home on the island of Kauai, as the eldest sister of the Hawaiian Islands. Kauai is the female loving, nourishing embrace.  Every island has its own essence. In Kauai, people say “We recognize the moment we see the coastline and breathe the fresh air, that we are home, and feel held in the endless and unconditional love of the Island. When people leave, they often dream of coming back. Kauai is a mirror. Kauai knows us and wisely reflects our deepest essence. She mirrors our truth. Through her, we can experience Love, and from every mountain in the world, know that we as a people on the planet are one. We are all held in love and emanate the spirit of Aloha. Manulele believes that together, we can all live and act from love.