The Aloha State is one of the most beautiful places on Earth, but sometimes we forget, particularly, the element of aloha.
I was recently reminded about this gift while vacationing with my wife, Paige. Let me set the stage for you. Rushing causes me great anxiety, so to avoid stress, I arrive three hours before a flight. Yes, I’m that traveler. While the intent is to minimize mental breakdowns, my anxiety often stresses those around me. Just ask my wife.
The wahine checking us in at JFK asked for our driver’s licenses. She clearly was in no rush which caused a spike in my heart rate. Didn’t she know we still had to go through TSA? Then something grabbed her attention.
“You’re from Hawaiʻi? I hate you!” she said with a twinkle in her eyes as she stared at the rainbow on our licenses.
“Yes, we are,” I answered with limited eye contact.
“My husband and I were there a few years ago, we love Hawaiʻi!”
I selfishly started thinking about getting to the gate, even though I knew we’d sit idle for 150 minutes. My patient wife meanwhile, intently listened to our new friend as she shared details of the hikes they enjoyed, the food they ate and the remote beaches they visited. It took me a moment to finally recognize her genuine excitement and the sincere aloha she had for Hawaiʻi. She reminded me that aloha is not just a word but a way of being.
It was something we saw in the 1980s, when tourism was booming and the real estate buying frenzy of the late 1970s showed no signs of slowing. In the mid 80s, Japanese businessman Genshiro Kawamoto purchased 78 homes and apartments in a four-month span and 170 properties in two years. Local residents feared commercialism was overshadowing the essence of aloha, so a group of leaders decided to take action, drafting legislation that emphasized the importance of kindness, unity and caring for the land and each other.
After months of advocacy, their efforts culminated in a historic moment. In a unanimous vote, the Aloha Spirit became state law in 1986. Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes 5-7.5, (a) says, “‘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.”
From that day forward, aloha was a commitment to a better, more compassionate future for all.
How do we preserve this state of being? Please join us Thursday, October 24 at 7:30 pm for the next KĀKOU: Hawaiʻi’s Town Hall as we discuss the State of Aloha.
Because sometimes … we all need a reminder.
