
The True Meaning of Aloha
04/28/21 • 29 min
Do you know the true meaning of the word Aloha? Get Episode Show Notes Here: --> hawaiisbesttravel.com/episode59 <-- Its rich history and context elude many travelers, but on today’s important episode of Hawaii’s Best, Kahanuola Solatorio (who you may remember from episode 53) sits down with Bryan to explain the essence of the word, and spirit, known as Aloha.
Kahanuola and Bryan discuss the results of their Instagram poll, where people submitted that “Aloha” means, peace, home, kindness, respect, gratitude, compassion, and many more. Kahanuola explains that it’s a mindset that encompasses all those and more.
Aloha is a way of life that locals in Hawaii grow up learning and seeing modeled. It includes kindness to strangers, respecting everyone and honoring others. There’s reciprocity implied in the concept - the way it’s supposed to operate is ideally giving and getting this same attitude.
So many Hawaiian locals desire to teach and spread this concept and feel deeply that it’s key to building the shared love among humanity that society desperately needs more of right now.
There are several things we can remember about the spirit of aloha: Remember to show grace and patience to others AND yourself. Reciprocate honor and respect, making sure you’re a giver and not just a taker. Also, respect and care for the land, and keep it beautiful. It has given so much aloha to so many people, it’s right to show that same love back.
If you’re traveling to Hawaii and someone says “aloha” to you, feel free to go ahead and say it back! They’re expecting to hear it, and are used to it. Don’t be shy about it.
It was great to talk about practicing this mindfulness with others and with the land and thinking of ourselves in light of how we’re affecting the world around us.
Episode Resources
Travel Pono (responsibly)
!!️ENTER TO WIN (Podcast Survey)!!️
Take the Survey Here (Google Form)
🤙Show Aloha
⎯
📲Connect
- Facebook Group
- Business Sponsor Inquiry (let's partner together)
⎯
This podcast is for travelers looking to plan a trip to Hawaii. Discover travel tips, itineraries, and traveling tips & hacks with guides to help you explore Hawaii. Whether you’re planning a vacation to the Hawaiian islands, dreaming of a Hawaiian getaway, or visiting Honolulu, Maui, Kauai, Oahu, or Big Island we’ll help you travel with aloha.
Do you know the true meaning of the word Aloha? Get Episode Show Notes Here: --> hawaiisbesttravel.com/episode59 <-- Its rich history and context elude many travelers, but on today’s important episode of Hawaii’s Best, Kahanuola Solatorio (who you may remember from episode 53) sits down with Bryan to explain the essence of the word, and spirit, known as Aloha.
Kahanuola and Bryan discuss the results of their Instagram poll, where people submitted that “Aloha” means, peace, home, kindness, respect, gratitude, compassion, and many more. Kahanuola explains that it’s a mindset that encompasses all those and more.
Aloha is a way of life that locals in Hawaii grow up learning and seeing modeled. It includes kindness to strangers, respecting everyone and honoring others. There’s reciprocity implied in the concept - the way it’s supposed to operate is ideally giving and getting this same attitude.
So many Hawaiian locals desire to teach and spread this concept and feel deeply that it’s key to building the shared love among humanity that society desperately needs more of right now.
There are several things we can remember about the spirit of aloha: Remember to show grace and patience to others AND yourself. Reciprocate honor and respect, making sure you’re a giver and not just a taker. Also, respect and care for the land, and keep it beautiful. It has given so much aloha to so many people, it’s right to show that same love back.
If you’re traveling to Hawaii and someone says “aloha” to you, feel free to go ahead and say it back! They’re expecting to hear it, and are used to it. Don’t be shy about it.
It was great to talk about practicing this mindfulness with others and with the land and thinking of ourselves in light of how we’re affecting the world around us.
Episode Resources
Travel Pono (responsibly)
!!️ENTER TO WIN (Podcast Survey)!!️
Take the Survey Here (Google Form)
🤙Show Aloha
⎯
📲Connect
- Facebook Group
- Business Sponsor Inquiry (let's partner together)
⎯
This podcast is for travelers looking to plan a trip to Hawaii. Discover travel tips, itineraries, and traveling tips & hacks with guides to help you explore Hawaii. Whether you’re planning a vacation to the Hawaiian islands, dreaming of a Hawaiian getaway, or visiting Honolulu, Maui, Kauai, Oahu, or Big Island we’ll help you travel with aloha.
Previous Episode

Oahu Travel Guide
On this episode of Hawaii’s Best, Bryan talks with the co-founder and CEO of Shaka Guide, Andrew Fowers. Get Episode Show Notes Here: --> hawaiisbesttravel.com/episode58 <-- The conversation is a comprehensive Oahu travel guide with some history, highlights, and well-informed travel tips.
With Honolulu as the capital, Oahu has over a million locals and the most visitors every year. It’s the perfect combination of epic surfing, beautiful beaches, and rainforest hikes, all within close distance to each other.
Oahu has so much to offer visitors. The main hub is Honolulu and Waikiki, which are very close together. There is a ton of shopping, numerous hotels, and a ton to do.
One spot not everyone knows about is Kaka’ako Chinatown Arts District near downtown Honolulu, which has art murals, new incredible restaurants, and other hidden gems.
If you’re a first-time visitor to Oahu, check out Pearl Harbor Memorial and nearby Aviation Museum, get the Dole Whip at the Dole Plantation, and drive to the North Shore and stop in as many spots as possible - including legendary beaches like Bonsai Pipeline where you’ll probably catch surfers catching waves us regular people can only dream about.
Visit the Polynesian Culture Center and consider viewing their park; they have a luau and night show that you don’t want to miss. Check out Kualoa Ranch where they filmed Jurassic Park, and tour Iolani Palace too.
Make sure to check out Shaka Guide’s Circle Island tour for the best way to get the most out of your trip to Oahu!
Episode Resources
Travel Pono (responsibly)
- Pono Pledge Website
- HawaiiCovid19.com/travel
- Safe Travels Program: Episode 50
- Traveling to Hawaii Responsibly: Episode 55
!!️ENTER TO WIN (Podcast Survey)!!️
Take the Survey Here (Google Form)
🤙Show Aloha
⎯
📲Connect
- Facebook Group
- Business Sponsor Inquiry (let's partner together)
⎯
This podcast is for travelers looking to plan a trip to Hawaii. Discover travel tips, itineraries, and traveling tips & hacks with guides to help you explore Hawaii. Whether you’re planning a vacation to the Hawaiian islands, dreaming of a Hawaiian getaway, or visiting Honolulu, Maui, Kauai, Oahu, or Big Island we’ll help you travel with aloha.
Next Episode

What is Lei Day in Hawaii?
On this episode of Hawaii’s Best, Bryan talks with good friend of the pod and (unofficial) Cultural Practitioner for Hawaii's Best, Kahanuola Solatorio --> hawaiisbesttravel.com/episode60 <-- about the importance of Lei Day in Hawaii. We even hear about his band Keauhou, which plays at the holiday every year, and who you can watch remotely this year!
Lei Day happens on the 1st of May every year, lasting until the next day. It has existed as a holiday since the late 1920s when American Poet Don Blanding wrote a newspaper article stating that the production and wearing of leis is culturally significant and needs a holiday dedicated to it.
Depending on the occasion, a lei can be given as a greeting, a goodbye, a thank-you, or an expression of love. Each island of Hawaii has its own flower that represents that island, so you’ll see a different color scheme and emphasis in the craft of the leis depending on where you are.
The tradition of a live concert on Lei Day was first established by the well-known Hawaiian musical act, The Brothers Cazimero. Years after, they passed the honor to Keauhou, the band Kanhanuola plays in, who has been playing at the event for the past three years.
You can participate virtually in the festivities this year as well, by checking out the online event at 7 pm (Hawaiian time) on Facebook live at Facebook.com/HawaiiNewsNow - don’t forget to wear a lei, and give one to someone you love!
Episode Resources
- Kahanuola Instagram
- Hawaii News Now Facebook
- The Brothers Cazimero
- Keauhou Website
- Keauhou Instagram
- Keauhou Facebook
Travel Pono (responsibly)
!!️ENTER TO WIN (Podcast Survey)!!️
Take the Survey Here (Google Form)
🤙Show Aloha
⎯
📲Connect
- Facebook Group
- Business Sponsor Inquiry (let's partner together)
⎯
This podcast is for travelers looking to plan a trip to Hawaii. Discover travel tips, itineraries, and traveling tips & hacks with guides to help you explore Hawaii. Whether you’re planning a vacation to the Hawaiian islands, dreaming of a Hawaiian getaway, or visiting Honolulu, Maui, Kauai, Oahu, or Big Island we’ll help you travel with aloha.
Hawaii's Best: Travel Tips and Guides for Your Hawaii Vacation - The True Meaning of Aloha
Transcript
Welcome to Hawaii's Best Podcast, where we help you prepare for your next trip to Hawaii. Discover the experiences businesses and stories that make Hawaii the Aloha state. And now your host, Brian Murphy
Bryan Murphyloja and welcome to Episode 59 of Hawaii's Best. I'm your host Brian Murphy, the owner of Hawaii's Best and today we have another great episode for you. We welcome back my good friend,
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