Maxwell says most Hawaiians will not speak about their 'aumakua with anyone outside their families. It's only known for certain reasons and purposes. He believes it's harder for people of his generation to hold onto their culture. There is a renaissance now, but it will never be as strong as it was in the old days. Power of sharks For many in Western society, Hawaiian cosmology in general, and the concept of 'aumakua in particular, is too far out of their experience.
Sharks are powerful.
They have the ability to harm and take life. But they also have the ability to give life. We often don't look at things in terms of the whole harmonic realm. Both Maxwell and Silva believe that ancient Hawaiians' relationship with the environment helped them connect more readily with their 'aumakua. Every wind, every piece of land, every cloud had a name and a story.