What Does Aloha Mean?

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: Aloha Tower, Aloha Stadium and Aloha Airlines. Many Hawaiian singers write and perform songs about aloha as well.

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.

"Aloha to learn what is not said, to see what cannot be seen & to know the unknowable."
Queen Lili‘uokalani

Halona Blow Hole, or just Blow Hole to the locals, is located on the Makapuu Coast right before you get to Sandy Beach. It’s basically a hole in a rock chamber that spouts ocean spray when large waves crash into it. There are several blow holes around Hawaii but the one in Makapuu is the most well-known and most-visited.

There is some tragedy associated with this blow hole. Over the years, several people have been injured and even killed when they got too close to the hole at the wrong time. The air pressure generated by powerful waves crashing into the rock chamber causes air to blast out with hurricane force and can toss a person into the air. So, like many of nature’s spectacles, it pays to be careful and respectful of Mother Nature’s power. If you stay in public viewing areas, you’ll be perfectly safe.

Discover why the six Islands of Aloha are home to treasures unlike any other on earth: The dramatic cliffs of the Napali Coast on Kauai. The vibrant shores of Waikiki Beach on Oahu. The miles of white sands of Papohaku Beach on Molokai. The dolphin friendly waters of Hulopoe Bay on Lanai. The summit of Haleakala on Maui. The primal energy of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on Hawaii's Big Island. It won’t be easy choosing which island to visit on your first trip to Hawaii, but you’ll find there are no wrong answers.

You’ll likely begin your adventure at Honolulu International Airport (HNL) on Oahu. This is Hawaii's major airport, serving as the entry point for most of Hawaii's visitors. All major domestic carriers and many international carriers serve Oahu, so you can get here from just about anywhere. There are also direct flights from the U.S. mainland to Maui, Kauai, and Hawaii's Big Island, but for the most part, you may need to connect through Oahu to get to the neighbor islands including Lanai and  Molokai.

The time in Hawaii can be anywhere from three to six hours behind the Mainland. But the time on Hawaii itself? Well, that's a whole different time altogether, better known as "Hawaiian Time."

It's "Hawaiian Time" that keeps everything at a mellower pace

People from Hawaii get hassled with being on "Hawaii Time" – being late for everything. This may not be true for everyone, but it's definitely a reoccurring "issue" for most Hawaiians. So if you plan to meet a Hawaiian friend on your next visit, and you tell that person to be at a certain place (ex: hotel or restaurant) by 8 a.m., you might have to wait…five minutes? 10? No real guarantees, but your friend will most likely be there - at some point. Hawaiians love food and would never miss an opportunity to eat! (That's another stereotype, by the way). So if you truly want to meet someone, suggest a restaurant.

Do you know how to read a Hawaiian Time clock?  Instead of numbers, there's Watevas (whatever, whenever), Bum-bye (by and by, to do later) and Laytahs (to be there later). To tell time with this kind of clock depends on the person and situation. These Pidgin-English words came from Hawaiian plantation workers and are still used by locals today. 

Hawaii moves at a slower pace overall. This is not to give visitors the false impression that Hawaiians live on a secluded island in grass shacks and commute by canoe. Hawaii is a much developed place – you'll find concrete skyscrapers and traffic and face the same economical issues as everyone else. But when living on an island with such natural beauty, you can't help but get lost in the laid-back ways. Why be in a rush? It's a subtle nonchalance that translates through Hawaii's people and finds a home in the warm embrace of the culture.

OR maybe Hawaiian Time starts with the fact that Hawaii as a state is late for everything! We welcome in the New Year way after the ball drops at Times Square. And we avoid Twitter until after watching the latest episode of Hawaii 5-0, for fear we'll find out what happens. Darn this time difference! Maybe that's to blame? It's not the people in Hawaii who are slow-moving. It's just that everyone else is moving too fast! 

What do you think? Share your comments below. We may get around to reading them Watevas.