Aloha Spirit
The true meaning of the word Aloha as related by Hawai’i’s last reigning monarch. Queen Lili`uokalani (1891-93),
"And wherever [the native Hawaiian] went he said 'Aloha' in meeting or in parting. 'Aloha'
was a recognition of life in another. If there was life there was mana, goodness and wisdom,
and if there was goodness and wisdom there was a god-quality. One had to recognize the 'god
of life' in another before saying 'Aloha,' but this was easy. Life was everywhere - in the trees,
the flowers, the ocean, the fish, the birds, the pili grass, the rainbow, the rock - in all the world
was life--was god--was Aloha. Aloha in its gaiety, joy, happiness, abundance. Because of
Aloha, one gave without thought of return; because of Aloha, one had mana. Aloha had its
own mana. It never left the giver but flowed freely and continuously between giver and
receiver. 'Aloha' could not be thoughtlessly or indiscriminately spoken, for it carried its own
power. No Hawaiian could greet another with 'Aloha' unless he felt it in his own heart. If he
felt anger or hate in his heart he had to cleanse himself before he said 'Aloha'."
Did you know that it is part of State Law?
from Chapter 5 of Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes:
“Akahai“, meaning kindness to be expressed with tenderness;
“Lōkahi“, meaning unity, to be expressed with harmony;
“ʻOluʻolu” meaning agreeable, to be expressed with pleasantness;
“Haʻahaʻa“, 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 Hawaiʻi. ”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]