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!

Kohola: Humpback whale
Palaoa: Sperm whale
‘O Kohola: To whale
Huelopoki: Whale boat

Aloha shirts exported to the mainland United States and elsewhere are called Hawaiian shirts and often brilliantly colored with floral patterns or generic Polynesian motifs and are worn as casual, informal wear, and generally only by men.

The modern Aloha shirt was devised in the early 1930s by Chinese merchant Ellery Chun of King-Smith Clothiers and Dry Goods, a store in WaikÄ©kÄ­. Chun began sewing brightly colored shirts for tourists out of old kimono fabrics he had leftover in stock. The Honolulu Advertiser newspaper was quick to coin the term Aloha shirt to describe Chun’s fashionable creation. Chun trademarked the name. The first advertisement in the Honolulu Advertiser for Chun’s Aloha shirt was published on June 28, 1935. Local residents, especially surfers, and tourists descended on Chun’s store and bought every shirt he had. Within years, major designer labels sprung up all over Hawai’i and began manufacturing and selling Aloha shirts en masse.

The popularity of the Aloha shirt boomed in the United States after World War II as major celebrities sported the Hawaiian wear.

Full article here.

Pidgin is a ‘local slang’ that the Hawaiian locals use when talking mainly to each other, you may also see it in local advertising aimed at locals.

A few examples: “Never mind”, pronounced in Pidgin “nevamine”, and the word “kind”, pronounced in Pidgin “kine”.

Words like “dis”, “dat”, “da”, and “den” meaning “this”, “that”, “the”, and “then”, respectively.

You may also hear “da” at the end of Pidgin words, like “quada” and “brada”, which are “quarter” and “brother”.

For great books about Pidgin and to learn some more, go here.

Each of the Hawaii Islands also has an official flower.

Hawaii – Big Island- The official flower is the Red Ohia

Kauai - The official flower is the Mokihana Berry

Lanai – The official flower is the Kaunaoa, a yellow and orange air plant

Maui- The official flower is the Pink Lokelani aka Pink Rose

Oahu – The official flower is the Yellow Ilima

Molokai – The official flower is the Kukui Blossom

Kahoolawe – The official flower is the Hinahina

Niihau – rather than a real flower White Pupu Shells which are only found on the shores of Niihau are their official ‘flower’.

Hawaii - The Big Island because it is the largest of all the islands.

Kauai – The Garden Island because it is the wettest and greenest of all the islands.

Lanai – The Pineapple Island because it was once a private island once owed by Dole to grow pineapples.

Maui- The Valley Island because it has two mountain masses separated by a valley.

Oahu – The Gathering Place because about 3/4 of Hawaii’s population live on this island.

Molokai – The Most Hawaiian Island because per capita it has the most people of Hawaiian ancestry living on it. Molokai is also known as the Friendly Island due to the hospitality it’s residents typically extend to visitors.

Kahoolawe – The Uninhibited Island because it is so small and offers very little resources to inhabit it. It was used as a bombing target by the US until 1994.

Niihau – The Forbidden Island because it is a privately owned sacred island and only invited guests are allowed on it.

The Pineapple State: Hawaii has also been referred to as “The Pineapple State” because of the pineapple industry and its impact on the state’s economy.

Paradise of the Pacific: Anyone who has ever visited a secluded cove on one of the Hawaiian islands will understand why Hawaii is sometimes called the “Paradise of the Pacific.” The natural beauty of the islands is well known.

The Youngest State: The last state to enter the union, Hawaii is sometimes referred to as “The Youngest State.”

State Name:
Hawaii

State Nickname:
The Aloha State

Capital City:
Honolulu

Population:
1,262,840

Time Zone:
Hawaii Standard Time (GMT-10 hours), 5 hours behind the US East Coast, 6 hours behind during Daylight Saving Time (Hawaii does not observe Daylight Saving Time).

Languages:
English
Hawaiian

Currency:
US dollar. Credit cards are widely accepted. Traveler’s checks are accepted at many businesses.

Average Temperature:
April- November: 75Ëš-88Ëš F.
December- March: 68Ëš-80Ëš F.
Average water temperature: 74Ëš F.

Area Code/Cell phones:
The area code for all of Hawaii is (808). Cell phone coverage on most Islands is readily available if you’re coming from the US. Check your carrier and calling plan for details.

Internet Access:
Internet access is readily available on most islands and at many hotels.

Accommodations:
Luxury resorts, hotels, bed and breakfasts, rental cottages and condos are located throughout the islands.

Transportation:
Transportation options include car rentals, tour buses, shuttles, taxis or city buses.

Clothing:
Dress casually. Bring a light jacket for nights. Bring semi-casual dress clothes or resort wear for restaurants and nightlife. Suits and ties are rarely worn.

Tipping:
U.S. standards apply: 15-20% on meals, at least $1 per bag for porters, and at least $1 per night for housekeeping.

Virtually Hawaii provides what we call “Virtual Field Trips“, which take you on different tours around the islands. The objective is to show you parts of Hawaii from space and the air, and then to show you ground photos of points of interest. While these trips have a strong geology flavor (the Virtually Hawaii Team has many geologists as members), we hope these tours will be used by educators at grade schools and community colleges for a variety of other types of projects. We have also found that many of our visitors who sign our Guest Book find these Virtual Field Trips to be useful in planning vacations in Hawaii.

Pick an island and choose where you want to go!