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Tuesday, January 18, 2011

A for Aloha, which we found every day in Hawaii last month

What Does Aloha Mean? These answers were from: http://www.to-hawaii.com/aloha.php

Kay and Art
Aloha is the most Hawaiian word. In the Hawaiian language, it can mean hello or goodbye. It also means love and affection. The word aloha is used in a combination with other words, such as aloha kakahiaka, which means good morning; aloha auinala used as a greeting that means good afternoon; and aloha ahiahi is how you can wish good evening in Hawaiian. Because of aloha’s unique meaning and popularity, Hawaii is called the Aloha State.
Aloha is a Hawaiian symbol. Its meaning goes beyond any definition you can find about it in the dictionaries. In Hawaii, you hear aloha all the time and you are treated with aloha everywhere.
The Spirit of Aloha


The literal meaning of aloha is “the presence of breath” or “the breath of life.” It comes from “Alo,” meaning presence, front and face, and “ha,” meaning breath. Aloha is a way of living and treating each other with love and respect. Its deep meaning starts by teaching ourselves to love our own beings first and afterwards to spread the love to others.
According to the old kahunas (priests), being able to live the Spirit of Aloha was a way of reaching self-perfection and realization for our own body and soul. 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 in space, 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. Many Hawaiian singers write and perform songs about aloha as well. (The most famous historical Hawaiian song, 'Aloha O'e' was written by the last queen of Hawaii, Liliuokalani: from Wikipedia)
Flag of Hawaii
The Spirit of Aloha as Law
Aloha Spirit is considered a state “law.” Although the word law sounds too strong and strict, Aloha Spirit is not such a type of law that will get you in trouble if you break it. Its main purpose is to serve as a reminder to government officials while they perform their duties to treat people with deep care and respect, just like their ancestors did. Aloha Spirit is more a lesson than a law. By learning and applying this lesson to real life, government officials can contribute to a better world, a world filled with aloha.
Definition of Aloha Spirit State Law
(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:
The unofficial state bird tries to meet all buses
and direct tourists to all the facilities.
The official state bird is the Hawaiian Goose or Nene
which has more important official duties to perform.
Besides, we never saw one, just lots of chickens.
"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.
Hawaiian Kay and Canadian Kay
"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." 


When we visited Hawaii in December, we were met by my blogging friend Kay, and her husband Art, who wished us Aloha, gave us leis and took us on a wonderful all-morning tour of Honolulu. After visiting the Iolani Palace, we drove past a Santa giving the "hang-ten" hand signal, which is probably another form of Aloha. 
Posted for the first week of Round 8 in ABC Wednesday,
a meme that really makes us think.
Thanks to Mrs. Denise Nesbitt for bringing us ABC Wednesday!
To see how others around the world have used the first letter of the alphabet, please click

27 comments:

Sylvia K said...

Terrific post for the A Day, Kay! And how fun to see pictures of you and Hawaii Kay and Art! Interesting info about the Hawaiian words! Have a great day!

Sylvia
ABC Team

Nanka said...

ALOHA!!

Carver said...

What a great post. I learned a lot from it and enjoyed the photographs.

Jo said...

Thanks for this insightful post, Kay. How wonderful that you met up with the other Kay and her hubby. A big hug for Lindy from me, not forgetting yourself! Jo

Mara said...

I love that scene in Miss Congeniality when Sandra Bullock asks Miss Hawaii about the aloha thing: "what if you want to get rid of someone and you say aloha, won't they think it's hello and not goodbye?"

Great A post!

Reader Wil said...

Fantastic! Imagine the two Kays meet!! That is so great about blogging. I was so thrilled to meet Antigoni and Marina from Greece. We had been blogging for several years now!
Great post, Kay!

Kay said...

Wow! I have to tell you, I learned a lot from this post, too. I loved looking at all the photos again. We sure did have a fun time. You and Dick are certainly full of aloha, Kay.

Roger Owen Green said...

we DEFINITELY need aloha spirit on the mainland.

ROG, ABC Wednesday team

Cezar and Léia said...

Aloha! Must be a nice place to spend some relaxing time! Specially with loved one and friends!
God bless you!
Cezar

Joy said...

I think that aloha law should be adopted worldwide.

EG CameraGirl said...

Hawaii in December sounds fabulous!

anthonynorth said...

An excellent and informative post. And Aloha to you.

photowannabe said...

How wonderful to meet a fellow bloger and see fantastic place at the same time. That's the True Aloha Spirit.

Cheryl said...

Nicely done, Kay. I have a whole new appreciation for Aloha now.

Cheryl
ABC Team

Wanda said...

How fun to see your Hawaiian friend, and learn about that special word.

Gemma Wiseman said...

O wow! I had no idea about all the details of "Aloha"! A very interesting post!

Hildred said...

Really interesting and inspiring to learn about the Spirit of Aloha, Kay. Thank you for sharing this.

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

Aroha in Maori is LOVE,

Sounds almost like Aloha

Tumblewords: said...

Aloha - great word. Love the other words you've posted, too. Matter of fact, I rather like Hawaii - a lot!

Gattina said...

So if I go to Hawai I only need to learn Aloha, and with that I go through everything, lol ! Interesting !
Gattina
ABC Team

Ebie said...

Its great to meet fellow bloggers face to face! It is a great feeling!

Cildemer said...

A great entry for Aday!
Loved your pics too. Especially the two Kays;o)
Aloha seems a very useful word in Hawaii and it's spirit should spread everywhere!

***
So ALOHA to you, Kay****

Lulu Post said...

Aloha! Visiting from ABC Wednesday. I also followed your blog. I hope you can visit mine too:

A is for Angels

Beverley Baird said...

What a lot of meaning is in this little word! Imagine if everyone followed the spirit of aloha!
Great post, great pix!
have a wonderful week!

Unknown said...

What a great word! I am no enamored to it!

Paula Scott Molokai Girl Studio said...

I am in AWE. And, thoroughly impressed. Being born and raised on Molokai, I am impressed with your taking the time to truly understand the meaning of Aloha. I take the Aloha spirit with me where ever I go.
You get it. I love that. And that you shared it with so many. For that, I can only say, "Mahalo Nui Loa".
Me Ke Aloha Pumehana,
Paula (Molokai Girl)

Paula Scott Molokai Girl Studio said...

Oh, and I might add that reading our post here made me terribly, terribly homesick...
which isn't a bad thing. It just is.