"Mohala i ka wai ka maka o ka pua" is a Hawaiian proverb that I included at the beginning of North Star which means "unfolded by the water are the faces of flowers."
In simple terms, it reflects how nature thrives where there is water, and a healthy aina is important to Hawaiians to preserve the planet. What I also believe it represents is that life (and people) thrive where there is an abundance of community. When we stand together and support each other, when we provide (and fight) both for ourselves and those in our communities but also people in places we may never see, the world progresses toward a state of peace. Despite how events have been unfolding, as a queer and indigenous woman, I need to believe that this is still something we can achieve. I hope you can all still believe this as well.
Take the time you need. Grieve. Be Angry. But please stay strong. Work on building your local community. *Fight* for other communities. The country and world needs us more than ever.