Aloha
Aloha is a form of greeting, to say hello, welcome. But it's also a form of farewell, or to say goodbye. It's also used as an expression of love and affection. But more than just a word, aloha is also a way of life.
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What Does "Aloha" Mean?
Aloha (/əˈloʊhɑː/, Hawaiian: [əˈlohə]) is the Hawaiian word for love, affection, peace, compassion and mercy, that is commonly used as a simple greeting but has a deeper cultural and spiritual significance to native Hawaiians, for whom the term is used to define a force that holds together existence.
In Hawaii we use this term to mean a way of life, where we treat people with kindness, honesty and affection. We also use it to mean respect for others and the land. It is a general feeling of appreciation for the world around us, life and other people. It is thought of as the singular most descriptive characteristic of the Hawaiian People, there Aloha or ability to welcome and embrace outsiders. Our you g people build on this with their hashtag #live-aloha
In Hawaii we have a metaphorically related term called Hanai, which refers to adopted children. In Hawaii we like to say there are no orphans, because all children are loved and are valuable, so children who have lost their parents, or whose parents can’t or won’t care for them properly are adopted by their aunties, uncles or unrelated adults. I have become the “Uncle” for several young adults, whom I have come to love like my own children.
Another related concept is “Ha” or breathe. In Hawaii we greet each other with a hug and an gentle, subtle exchange of breath, which masquerades as an air-kiss. This exchange represented us creating a friend we have not seen for a while and being happy that they are still breathing, which means they are alive and vigorous. This exchange of “Ha” the breathe of life is a mini celebration and greeting of significance here, and just one of many forms of Aloha meaning in this instance love and appreciation.
These brief explanations will hopefully give you a glimpse into the importance of language and culture together, as to really understand a language, you should also try to understand the cultural meaning of the words. If you accomplish this your reward will be enlightenment. Which is truly a treasure of the mind worth seeking.
Aloha
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