The "Spirit of Aloha" means a 'sense of caring and kindness to those around me' and "Malama" means stewardship and when applying both of those in business we take care and give of ourselves with unselfishness in regards to human assets. This I wrote back in August 2007: Conducting Business in Hawaii: The "Spirit of Aloha" and "Malama" and again I am taken aback by the what "Aloha" means to me and what it can mean to you.
On the news last night they did a story on "Where's the Aloha?". It got me to thinking about how life has changed in Hawaii. Or has it? 40 years ago (I was 10 years old) our family moved to Oahu, Hawaii. 1967 and life was so simple. Ahhhh, no big freeways, no thousands of cars and the only tall buildings were in downtown Honolulu. Everyone hugged each other hello and when someone needed a helping hand a hand was extended to grasp onto.
Sometimes, we look at the cup as half empty and while contemplating the thought of "Where's the Aloha?" it immediately brought to my mind all the wars that transpired back in ancient Hawaii where thousands upon thousands were killed. And these wars and killings were against each other!
In any event, the newsman went around Waikiki Beach to ask locals and visitors "Where's the Aloha?". While doing this Aloha Poll and on a scale of one to ten the local people averaged 6.7 when asked how they rated "Where's the Aloha?" and the visitors gave us a 9.3! Go figure.
Maybe we're not so bad after all, huh? I mean, Hawaii is ranked among the top ten most giving states and we donate nearly a billion dollars a year to charity.
No matter what there are always going to be negative situations that arise in our lives and it is just part of human nature. Sometimes we glorify the negative instead of looking at the positive things. You know, it seems my radar for positivity doesn't always target those good things in life all the time either. It's human nature.
I am happy to report right along with the news last night that Aloha is all over the place in Hawaii. In Waikiki, they filmed the Japanese couple exchanging their wedding vows on the beach, the aloha given with volunteers helping stranded tourists or just in our school children singing songs while delivering gifts.
While bad things make headlines and good ones don't get recognized ..... We, the people, can make the Aloha happen no matter where we are. Now THAT IS a concept.
Alas, things don't always appear to be as they seem... in my minds eye. It is what I make of it and all in the manner of how I handle the situation. Today, I will travel the Road of Aloha.
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