He made the statement “Kindness isn’t something we do, kindness comes from within.” (not a direct quote)

He went on to state that while you can show an act of kindness, that doesn’t mean that you are a kind person.

I turned to my wife April and said that I really liked that statement, her reply was simply “That is Aloha!”.

You can act out Aloha, but it comes from deep within yourself. It is not something that you do or something that you acquire or earn, but something that grows within you and shines through you.

“A day without Aloha is just another mainland day.”
~ Buck Buchanan ~

The aloha spirit and the concept of ohana are not mere words to us, they mean that we care for other each including those we don’t know.
~ Linda Lingle ~

Do you have Aloha within you?
I’d really like to hear your thoughts on what Aloha means to you.

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Read the other Hawaii blogs with articles related to all things Hawaii and Aloha.

Mahalo for including us Evelyn.

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Aloha is sending and receiving a positive energy. Aloha is living in harmony. When you live the Spirit of Aloha, you create positive feelings and thoughts, which are never gone. They exist within you, multiply and spread over to others.

Inspired by the philosophy and the wisdom of the Spirit of Aloha, nowadays many institutions and businesses in Hawaii carry its name: Aloha Tower, Aloha Stadium and Aloha Airlines.

Many Hawaiian singers write and perform songs about Aloha as well.

“Aloha to learn what is not said, to see what cannot be seen and to know the unknowable.”
~ Queen Lili‘uokalani ~

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Through his ukulele playing and incorporation of other idioms (such as jazz and reggae), Iz remains one of the major influences in Hawaiian music.

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Confused yet? There is more…

If we break Aloha down into Hawaiian words we get the literal meaning:

“Alo“ means presence, front or face while “ha“ means breath or to breathe or the breath of life.

So the literal meaning is “In the presence of breath” or “In the face of breath” or “In the presence of the breath of life.”

Aloha is still more than that though… Aloha is a way of life. Aloha is showing your love, caring and understanding not only for yourself, but for all of those around you.

“Aloha Spirit” is even in the “law books” as a guide for public officials about treating people with respect and caring while they perform their duties. While this is more of a guide than a law someone could get punished for, it reminds us all to follow the guidelines and live Aloha.

Definition of Aloha Spirit State Law
contained in the Hawaii Revised Statutes (State Law):

[§5-7.5] “Aloha Spirit.”
(a) “Aloha Spirit” is the coordination of mind and heart within each person. It brings each person to the self. Each person must think and emote good feelings to others. In the contemplation and presence of the life force, “Aloha,” the following unuhi laula loa may be used:

“Akahai,” meaning kindness,
to be expressed with tenderness;

“Lokahi,” meaning unity,
to be expressed with harmony;

“Oluolu,” meaning agreeable,
to be expressed with pleasantness;

“Haahaa,” meaning humility,
to be expressed with modesty;

“Ahonui,” meaning patience,
to be expressed with perseverance.

These are traits of character that express the charm, warmth and sincerity of Hawaii’s people. It was the working philosophy of Native Hawaiians and was presented as a gift to the people of Hawaii.

“Aloha” is more than a word of greeting or farewell or a salutation.

“Aloha” means mutual regard and affection and extends warmth in caring with no obligation in return.

“Aloha” is the essence of relationships in which each person is important to every other person for collective existence.

“Aloha” means to hear what is not said, to see what cannot be seen and to know the unknowable.

(b) In exercising their power on behalf of the people and in fulfillment of their responsibilities, obligations and service to the people, the legislature, governor, lieutenant governor, executive officers of each department, the chief justice, associate justices, and judges of the appellate, circuit, and district courts may contemplate and reside with the life force and give consideration to the “Aloha Spirit.” [L 1986, c 202, §1]

Do something kind for someone today and show your Aloha Spirit!

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