Most know that the word aloha is used to express hello and goodbye but aloha also has the deeper significance to love and affection in addition to how we view ourselves and the world through acceptance, resolving problems and achieving goals. It's difficult to sum up the aloha spirit but simply put..The earth, the sky and the sea are mine to care for, to cherish and to protect.
A, ala, watchful, alertness
L, lokahi, working with unity
O, oia'i'o, truthful honesty
H, ha'aha'a, humility
A, ahonui, patient perseverance
I think it can be best understood as protecting, preserving and perpetuating Hawaiian values, culture and heritage...
Aloha 'aina simply means to love and respect the land.
Malama 'aina means to care for and nurture the land so it can give back all we need to sustain life for ourselves and our future generations.
Whether you are visiting Hawaii or anyplace else on earth please be respectful of the land and people... a simple guide to follow is to understand and embrace the individual differences we have as well as the common ground we might share so try to do as much research as possible before your trip... but here are a few things that might make your stay a bit easier to navigate....
- Please don't refer to the mainland or continental United States as "The States" Hawaii has been the 50th state since 1959.
- When you are driving don't honk your horn unless it's an emergency (I wish everyone on the mainland did this as well)
- Don't try to get a tan in one or two days... please use sunscreen the tropical sun is very intense.
- Don't speak pidgin (it makes you look like a tool) and guys do not like to be called "Mokes" and most gals don't like being referred to as a "Tita" by tourists.
- Do not add sugar to poi... it's meant to be consumed plain.
- Do not ask directions by north, south, east or west... just remember mauka is the direction toward the mountains and makai is toward the ocean.
- Do not disturb or take rocks, shells or anything else from any temple, cultural sight or marine preserve.
- Wherever you are in Hawaii don't refer to the other islands as the outer islands... calling them the neighboring islands is much more accepted.
- When receiving a lei don't forget to acknowledge the offer with a kiss and embrace.
- Do not remove the lei in the presence of the presenter no matter what... it's considered very offensive... so even if it is hot or does not go with what you are wearing or it's very fragrant... wait until you are in private (I always hang mine on my bedroom door to fragrance my room)
- If you are invited to the home of anyone on the islands... don't forget to bring a gift.
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| "Shaka" |
Wherever I have been in the world my heart always takes me back to Hawaii... you have to follow your heart... there is really no other way to live... Listen to your heart and after you have seen all the sights then going forward you don't always need look with your eyes because when you have found your place in the world you can find many beautiful answers when you look into your soul.... that is what Hawaii has given me. What you find largely depends on what you are searching for.
One of Hawaii's nicknames is "The Rainbow State" ... given the amount of showers and misty rain that occur while the sun is shining rainbows can be an everyday occurrence ...
... according to Hawaiian legend Kahalaopuna is the Rainbow Maiden born of the wind and rain of Manoa Valley; since ancient times it has been referred to as "the royal palace of rainbows". Enjoy Hawaii and have fun finding rainbows and your place in the sun and all the other wonderful things Hawaii has to offer.
Aloha!
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