Living Pono: A Philosophy Promoted by Actor Jason Scott Lee

What is "Pono"? The word means "right". It describes the sense of "rightness." Pono is derived from the words "KaHana Pono" from the Hawaiian language. It means to practice pono as part of your daily life. To achieve being "right" or "pono" with the land you must be one with spirit and self power. Feel a love and compassion for all things that were created through the heavenly spirit. This is a belief originating with the indigenous people and Native Hawaiians. They lived by little means. Using only what was necessary, never wasting valuable resources needed for plant and animal life to survive, in turn giving back to the land. In ancient times, as well as today, the Hawaiian people do not take their land for granted. It is a lifestyle, cultivated passed on from generation to generation to love the land, not only cherishing its astonishing beauty, but respecting it. "Living Pono" is a process in which you must nurture the fruitage of the environment to which you live in.

Jason Scott Lee

Jason Scott Lee, a mixed Chinese -American Hawaiian descent, nearly a decade ago, went back to his roots in Hawaii. He was born in Los Angeles, California but raised in Hawaii. Jason Scott Lee was living the Hollywood life style. In the mid 1990's he earned leading roles and continues to receive supporting roles. His most recent motion picture is the "2008"film"Dance of the Dragon"He isn't related to Bruce Lee, but he did portray him in the "1993 ""Dragon,"a Bruce Lee Story. He followed Bruce Lee's footsteps by training in the same type martial art of "Jeet Kune Do." mid 1990's. Jason Scott Lee acted with many "A" listers in the world of Hollywood. He was in Warner Brother's" Solidier" with Kurt Russell. He did the voice of "David Kawena" a character in the "2002" animated film "Lilo and Stitch". His acting career was not halted, he does continue to act and has a theatre he built. He has worked with Michael J. Fox, Elijah Wood and many others. Acting is still a passion, but his farming, teaching, promoting "Pono" makes Jason Scott Lee feel"righteous". i

Jason Scott Lee is a person of interest to many because he slowed his life down and chose to "Live Pono". His documentary featured on "youtube.com" was inspiring .It showed him on his taro farm on the Big Island of Hawaii, working taking care of it. His farm is based on using natural farming techniques developed by Japanese agricultural Sensei. He does not use any fertilzers or any man made chemical when it comes to his gardens. Jason Scott Lee lives "Off the Grid". He does not have electricity. He also uses a 500 gallon cistern to collect rain water that runs off his roof system, which catches rain water for usage.

In the documentary, he talks about his taro farm. Taro is referred to by a some Hawaiians as the land's "first born" You can watch him as he feeds his fish in a pond, gets an egg from the chicken coop. He grows bananas along with other fruits and vegetables. He follows the philosophy of "living pono" daily. Through his travels and experiences he found that the happiest people are people with nothing. His home is in Hilo, a Hawaii is simple and eco-friendly.

His modest home looks comfortable. It even has recycled windows and other recycle appliances.A candle sits on the table alongside books. He lights his home at night with candles and carosene lamps. He has surrounded himself with some artifacts from his past that now define his future. He allowed the cameras to film him using his simple boat, as it glided over the soothing, blue, waters of the Pacific. He indulged in a local Hawaiian favorite "poi" a paste formed from the taro leaves roots. It is much like their mashed potatoes. Poi has a mild bland taste.

This type of lifestyle relieves stress, improves health "no worries", living in cleaner air. It is an honest living that saves our environment and the future of our world and our offsprings.

Check out www.spreadpono.com. You can purchase t- shirts, hats, bracelets etc. All of the apparel is made in the U.S.A. Printing is using a water based ink.

Help spread the word about Pono.

More details of Jason Scott Lee's story and philosophy of "Living Pono" can be found at www.midweek.com