70 thoughts on “The Aloha Spirit In Hawaii Gone Missing”
PatG
I still feel Aloha here. It’s mainly online that I see anger, impatience, self-righteousness, and rude words from fellow residents.
Perhaps expressing frustrations online is understandable, everyone needs an outlet. But it would be so cool if as much Aloha could be shown online as the Aloha I experience as I go about my day-to-day life.
We were outside (me walking and pushing my son in a wheelchair). I was given a bottle of water by a stranger on Oahu for the hot day. I have two handicapped sons. One autistic and the one I mentioned in a wheelchair. I offered a waiter at a luau in Lahaina a tip. He would not take it. He said to keep it for myself and my sons. We walked to the Old Lahaina luau. It was dark when it was time to go home. I mentioned I didn’t feel comfortable walking that far in the dark. A waiter called a cab for us. Maybe small things but memorable and meaningful for me. Much appreciated. I think aloha can be the “little” things. Kindness that comes as natural as breathing. Aloha. 💐
I also lost my wallet several years ago and went back to the store where I had purchased groceries. They didn’t find it, but when we got home, I received a call from a couple who had found it on the parking spot next to theirs. When we met, my wallet had everything in it, including a couple of $20 bills and I told them that I would like them to keep the cash, but they refused. It took me a while to convince them and they finally agreed that I could give it to their teenage daughter. They were from the Philippines and she was doing housekeeping for a resort and he was working on the coffee farm.
The sad part is that there are fewer Hawaiians living in Maui, so the best we can hope for is that they took the Aloha spirit with them where ever they went ….
Want Aloha? Then give Aloha. Aloha ain’t for sell. Just because you paid all this money to get here doesn’t mean you can be rude or not obey posted signs. It says keep out then keep out. That’s the local way. Respect and aloha go hand in hand.
This is rude, though. I bet you would never talk this way face-to-face. I find aloha is there in-person. It’s only online where all these negative feelings come out.
Contact all the airlines coming here to do a psa or commercial about the aloha spirit. Also pay tribute to the poet Auntie Pualahi Paki whose poem led to the Aloha spirit law.
I hate to see Hawaii loose it’s Aloha Spirit, because there is no place in the world like Hawaii. It’s a magical place.
We have been coming to paradise (Maui) every year since 1997. The last several years we have been fortunate enough to stay, in our timeshare in Kihei, for a month. We buy local when we can and go for an occssional dinner at one of the Wailea hotels. We’ve rarely experienced anything other than the spirit of aloha, whether we’re sipping a 15.00 cocktail or a $3 Mai Tai at Kahale’s. The spirit of aloha is alive and well on Maui.
I was raised in Hawaii big island since 1969 my dad moved us to Hawaii to build Hilo town and homes there was such family and aloha to mainland folks but no more. Maybe it’s because mainland folk all want to buy up ocean front property and think they own the beach not true but have had a hoale lady tell me that was her beach ha sad to see how much my home has changed. Many years but really sad
Long time ago my husband left his bag with cash, I’d, air ties, on top of rental car and drove off. Later discovered it missing. Called the fast food vendor whose parking lot it would have fallen. Not there. But later got a 📞 📲 call from airline. Said our bag with tix had been turned in. That’s when we Oahu tourists knew that Kauai had Aloha spirit.
My 3 weeks on Kauai were perfect. A shaka here and there, people smiling and having a good time. Local and visitor alike. It couldn’t have been better
Aloha!
Aloha…a simple word for the greatest concept of how people can live in harmony ever conceived by human beings ( mahalo Hawaiians! )
That aloha also guides our interactions with the natural world makes it a greater concept than any other moral guide I know of. Humanity owes an eternal debt to Hawaiians.
Aloha could be summed up in the well known words “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” It isn’t difficult or impossible. We just need to keep trying – no matter who we are and where we live.
Thanks Colleen. You’re a good example of aloha. We appreciate the years of comments – nearly 400 to date. And of course getting to meet you guys as well
Today I was at my granddaughter’s May Day hula dance at her school (K-5). I saw Aloha everywhere. I saw a small child stumble and fall, and a lady walking by stopped to help him up, and make sure he was o.k…the parents nodded to the lady with gratitude and an an all-knowing of what Aloha really is. Everyone stopped to hug the aunties (we are all aunties) and the people they knew. I felt a moment of pride, that I live here and this is how we see each other. And to see it expressed as we walk through life together, being with each other, once again, I was awestruck by Kauai and by Hawaii culture. I can only hope to be that person on the planet.
From the time island boys saw our predicament and lifted our car out of a hole to when we were included in a local park re-opening prayer ceremony (after the Tsunami destroyed the park)–the time the cop let us go with no speeding ticket to sharing the beach with locals. We’ve been shown the Aloha spirit in many ways big and small.
We will be visiting Oahu from June 30-July 31 of this year & it has been almost 20 years since we last visited. We love Oahu because the Aloha spirit is truly in everything you see & everyone you meet. I hope it is still there. We always bring Aloha & respect when visiting. I’m not insulting Kauai when I say that I felt the Aloha spirit really lacking in ’10, when we visited. I had a ton of change & paid for my purchase…$6.88, at an ABC Store on Kauai. The employee working the register was very unfriendly! She did not appreciate my change.Oahu is our island of choice. Lots of Aloha!
Alas one reason for the complaint Aloha is done are the constant stream of Malahinis who behave like they did on the mainland. They do not understand the real meaning. Not every one but there are a growing number with all the development and upscale Condos being put up anywhere and everywhere.
In all honesty? It is not rude to speak up, to speak the truth and demand what we’ve asked for, a long time now. Its unfortunate, that a smile and our intent?Cannot be seen through a computer screen.
The Industry needs to do a better Job of informing their clients of Life in Hawaii. Many have a lack of respect for our people, oceans, land and though naive? Can be Said? It cannot be excusable, because that would mean? They are uninformed! They can read? They still trespass or park on the grass!? Go touch what they not supposed to?!
Help them understand. After all? The industry is what brings them here. No?
Then it becomes much easier and less a feeling of disrespect to those who live are rooted here… Aloha..
Hana, the people whose lives are rooted here are just as much to blame. They, too, trespass and park on the grass in all the neighborhoods, touch what they’re not supposed to, burn the campfires and litter the beaches and sidewalks, drive recklessly killing people on the highways, and show a basic lack of respect for the land. I see it daily.
Please try to be fair and admit that most people who are here or who come here respect the land and customs of the Hawaiian people. If you must judge and speak up against those who don’t, understand that it applies to all of the people on our islands, not just the Malahinis.
I still feel Aloha here. It’s mainly online that I see anger, impatience, self-righteousness, and rude words from fellow residents.
Perhaps expressing frustrations online is understandable, everyone needs an outlet. But it would be so cool if as much Aloha could be shown online as the Aloha I experience as I go about my day-to-day life.
We were outside (me walking and pushing my son in a wheelchair). I was given a bottle of water by a stranger on Oahu for the hot day. I have two handicapped sons. One autistic and the one I mentioned in a wheelchair. I offered a waiter at a luau in Lahaina a tip. He would not take it. He said to keep it for myself and my sons. We walked to the Old Lahaina luau. It was dark when it was time to go home. I mentioned I didn’t feel comfortable walking that far in the dark. A waiter called a cab for us. Maybe small things but memorable and meaningful for me. Much appreciated. I think aloha can be the “little” things. Kindness that comes as natural as breathing. Aloha. 💐
Aloha in Hawaii is gone. Destroyed by government, investors and military presence. The new word for Hawaii is Money.
I also lost my wallet several years ago and went back to the store where I had purchased groceries. They didn’t find it, but when we got home, I received a call from a couple who had found it on the parking spot next to theirs. When we met, my wallet had everything in it, including a couple of $20 bills and I told them that I would like them to keep the cash, but they refused. It took me a while to convince them and they finally agreed that I could give it to their teenage daughter. They were from the Philippines and she was doing housekeeping for a resort and he was working on the coffee farm.
I know what you mean, Hazz, but there is still plenty of Aloha in Hawaii.
The sad part is that there are fewer Hawaiians living in Maui, so the best we can hope for is that they took the Aloha spirit with them where ever they went ….
Want Aloha? Then give Aloha. Aloha ain’t for sell. Just because you paid all this money to get here doesn’t mean you can be rude or not obey posted signs. It says keep out then keep out. That’s the local way. Respect and aloha go hand in hand.
This is rude, though. I bet you would never talk this way face-to-face. I find aloha is there in-person. It’s only online where all these negative feelings come out.
Contact all the airlines coming here to do a psa or commercial about the aloha spirit. Also pay tribute to the poet Auntie Pualahi Paki whose poem led to the Aloha spirit law.
I hate to see Hawaii loose it’s Aloha Spirit, because there is no place in the world like Hawaii. It’s a magical place.
I agree with you, Lynn
We have been coming to paradise (Maui) every year since 1997. The last several years we have been fortunate enough to stay, in our timeshare in Kihei, for a month. We buy local when we can and go for an occssional dinner at one of the Wailea hotels. We’ve rarely experienced anything other than the spirit of aloha, whether we’re sipping a 15.00 cocktail or a $3 Mai Tai at Kahale’s. The spirit of aloha is alive and well on Maui.
I was raised in Hawaii big island since 1969 my dad moved us to Hawaii to build Hilo town and homes there was such family and aloha to mainland folks but no more. Maybe it’s because mainland folk all want to buy up ocean front property and think they own the beach not true but have had a hoale lady tell me that was her beach ha sad to see how much my home has changed. Many years but really sad
Sad indeed!
Your article was very nice, also very inspiring. I particularly like the legal angle 1986. Mahalo for your wonderful efforts.
Hi Jerome.
Thank you!
Aloha.
Long time ago my husband left his bag with cash, I’d, air ties, on top of rental car and drove off. Later discovered it missing. Called the fast food vendor whose parking lot it would have fallen. Not there. But later got a 📞 📲 call from airline. Said our bag with tix had been turned in. That’s when we Oahu tourists knew that Kauai had Aloha spirit.
I didn’t know there is an actual law! Hawaii never ceases to impress. Mahalo
My 3 weeks on Kauai were perfect. A shaka here and there, people smiling and having a good time. Local and visitor alike. It couldn’t have been better
Aloha!
Aloha…a simple word for the greatest concept of how people can live in harmony ever conceived by human beings ( mahalo Hawaiians! )
That aloha also guides our interactions with the natural world makes it a greater concept than any other moral guide I know of. Humanity owes an eternal debt to Hawaiians.
Aloha could be summed up in the well known words “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” It isn’t difficult or impossible. We just need to keep trying – no matter who we are and where we live.
Hi Colleen.
Thanks Colleen. You’re a good example of aloha. We appreciate the years of comments – nearly 400 to date. And of course getting to meet you guys as well
Aloha.
We will be on Big Island in June – but won’t make it to Kauai this trip. Thanks for all your great posts! Aloha!!!
Today I was at my granddaughter’s May Day hula dance at her school (K-5). I saw Aloha everywhere. I saw a small child stumble and fall, and a lady walking by stopped to help him up, and make sure he was o.k…the parents nodded to the lady with gratitude and an an all-knowing of what Aloha really is. Everyone stopped to hug the aunties (we are all aunties) and the people they knew. I felt a moment of pride, that I live here and this is how we see each other. And to see it expressed as we walk through life together, being with each other, once again, I was awestruck by Kauai and by Hawaii culture. I can only hope to be that person on the planet.
Wonderful to read about the reclaimed backpack!!There are a lot good kind people
From the time island boys saw our predicament and lifted our car out of a hole to when we were included in a local park re-opening prayer ceremony (after the Tsunami destroyed the park)–the time the cop let us go with no speeding ticket to sharing the beach with locals. We’ve been shown the Aloha spirit in many ways big and small.
We will be visiting Oahu from June 30-July 31 of this year & it has been almost 20 years since we last visited. We love Oahu because the Aloha spirit is truly in everything you see & everyone you meet. I hope it is still there. We always bring Aloha & respect when visiting. I’m not insulting Kauai when I say that I felt the Aloha spirit really lacking in ’10, when we visited. I had a ton of change & paid for my purchase…$6.88, at an ABC Store on Kauai. The employee working the register was very unfriendly! She did not appreciate my change.Oahu is our island of choice. Lots of Aloha!
It’s still here. Approach people with a gentle greeting and a warm smile, and your Aloha will be returned.
Alas one reason for the complaint Aloha is done are the constant stream of Malahinis who behave like they did on the mainland. They do not understand the real meaning. Not every one but there are a growing number with all the development and upscale Condos being put up anywhere and everywhere.
Those Malahinis have been coming full-force for decades. Think of the expression “Ugly American”. Not a new thing.
I think we are more sensitized to it lately because of the constant discussion about it.
You easily see what you look for sometimes.
In all honesty? It is not rude to speak up, to speak the truth and demand what we’ve asked for, a long time now. Its unfortunate, that a smile and our intent?Cannot be seen through a computer screen.
The Industry needs to do a better Job of informing their clients of Life in Hawaii. Many have a lack of respect for our people, oceans, land and though naive? Can be Said? It cannot be excusable, because that would mean? They are uninformed! They can read? They still trespass or park on the grass!? Go touch what they not supposed to?!
Help them understand. After all? The industry is what brings them here. No?
Then it becomes much easier and less a feeling of disrespect to those who live are rooted here… Aloha..
Hana, the people whose lives are rooted here are just as much to blame. They, too, trespass and park on the grass in all the neighborhoods, touch what they’re not supposed to, burn the campfires and litter the beaches and sidewalks, drive recklessly killing people on the highways, and show a basic lack of respect for the land. I see it daily.
Please try to be fair and admit that most people who are here or who come here respect the land and customs of the Hawaiian people. If you must judge and speak up against those who don’t, understand that it applies to all of the people on our islands, not just the Malahinis.
Aloha!