Aloha has over 30 uses in the ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language). The newest use of the word is hello and goodbye, with the oldest use meaning deep affection. In our work, we challenge everyone who comes to our organization to Live In Aloha. The challenge to live in aloha is unique and personal for each person as is its meaning and incorporation into daily life.

Aloha Means in our culture that we must live a lifestyle in honor of ke Akua (the Creator) who demonstrated the first act of Aloha through the creation of man as understood in the story of Kumuhonua. The epitome of living in Aloha can be seen in the legacy of Hawaiʻi’s Mōʻī (Monarchs).

In a recorded interview, Lydia Aholo, the adopted daughter of Queen Liliʻuokalani, recounted the moment when a crowd greeted the Queen. “She was met at the wharf by haole, hapa-haole, and Hawaiians with “Alo-o-oha!” (much like many commercial lūʻau-feasts of today). Liliʻuokalani stopped, shocked, still. She stood unmoving until the cry melted away as if in chagrin. She looked down upon the crowd and spoke…