The Aloha Spirit

Kauai Blog # 7

Dear Blog Followers,

Over our many years of travels, learning about a new culture has always opened up our senses and our minds to new ideas and new ways of thinking. While spending over 2 months on the island of Kauai, we've learned a lot about the Hawaiian Culture; their special language, music and dances and the beauty of Mother Nature. 

Take the word Aloha.  

We always thought of it as "hello", a greeting. It is much more than that. It is not just a word, but a concept that encompasses random acts of kindness, giving love or affection to both loved ones and strangers. It represents an attitude, a way of thinking, a spirit of living, a philosophy. It's quite unique and wonderful. 

"Aloha is the word that extends the warmth, friendliness, and pride of the Hawaiian people to their island's visitors."  -H. Thomas Steele

The Intention of Aloha.

The intention of Aloha means being fully present. Aloha is opening up ones senses to the wind, waves, salty air, and the Garden around you.  

"The word aloha is a greeting, a farewell, thanks, love, goodwill. Aloha looks at you, it meets you on the roads and at doors, it is conveyed to you in letters, the air is full of it… It already represents to me all the kindness and goodwill that language can express."  -Isabella Bird

Aloha is freely given.We have felt its spirit over and over these past 2+ months… 

It may be…

-a friendly wave

-a stop to let walkers cross the street

-a smile and a hello

-the kindness of slowing down to allow you to merge into a long line of traffic

-the helpfulness in markets 

-the checkout clerks looking you in the eye when greeting you; mindfulness!

-simply slowing down to enjoy the surruoundings   

"We are links to the ancients; connected by inheritance to their mana, their wisdom, their superb appreciation of what it is to be human. This is the foundation of the aloha spirit. It comes from many things, from knowing what it is to care, to truly care about other people." -John Dominis Holt

The aloha message is a simple one:

• live aloha,
• be aloha,
• share aloha,
• teach aloha,
• pass aloha on. 

"Aloha is when there is a room with a million strangers and then they say "aloha," and then they are not strangers anymore. -Makana age 7

Aloha means no plastic bags allowed in Kauai except those that go in your own trash. At the grocery store, Macy's, Safeway, etc., you bring your own sack, or get a paper bag.

Aloha Oe

 (It's Meaning)

It's more than just an easy word for casual good-bye;

It's gayer than a greeting and it's sadder than a sigh;

It has the hurting poignancy, the pathos of a sob;

It's sweeter than a youthful heart's exquisite joyous throb;

It's all the tender messages that words can not convey;

It's tears unshed, and longing for a loved one gone away;

It's welcome to Hawaii and it's lingering farewell;

It's all the dear and silent things that lovers' lips can tell;

It's woven into flower leis and old Hawaiian songs;

It's frailer than a spider-web and strong as leather thongs;

It's fresh as dew on ginger blooms and older than the moon;

It's in the little lullabies that native mothers croon;

It's said a hundred different ways, in sadness and in joy;

Aloha means "I love you." 

So, I say, "Aloha oe."

written by Don Blanding in 1948

Aloha is a way of life. We like it. Long after we return home, we will remember not only the scenery, but the feeling of aloha.

Aloha Blog Readers.
Pass on the kindnesses, live the aloha spirit no matter where you live.
Aloha,
Mary and Bob