Aloha: What Is The Meaning?

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The word "Aloha" has several meanings, and they all share a typical Hawaiian origin, history and culture. So what does Aloha mean?

History books are unclear when the "Aloha" expression entered the Hawaiian vocabulary, however several sources date it back to the end of the 18th century.

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Official publications tell us that "Aloha" originates from the Proto-Polynesian word "qarofa". Interestingly, the Maori language has a comparable word with identical meanings - "aroha.".

Aloha indicates love, love, peace, sympathy, pity, kindness, grace and compassion. However, it likewise has a deeper effect on the Hawaiian culture. For the Hawaiians, there's "The Aloha Spirit," a special way of living, the utmost way of life, or the key to a rich life.

Aloha can also be used to greet someone, or bid farewell. Aloha is more than the sum of its meanings; the word/expression relates to a quasi-philosophical definition or principle.

If we dissect the word "Aloha", we learn more and dive into the roots of Hawaii: "Alo" indicates "to share"; "oha" means "to reveal affection or friendship", and "ha" indicates "life, breath". In the end, we get a positive mindset, an act of kindness. However, historians highlight that "ha" is not "ha", so the correlation may not be completely right.

The Aloha Spirit prevailed in the Hawaiian culture and society. In less than a century, the popular expression traveled the world and was adopted by several languages, with the assistance of surfing and its cool, relaxeded technique to life.

To have or not have Aloha, that is the meaning of life. The appeal of the word kept growing, and Hawaii got a brand-new nickname for the license plates: "Aloha State".

And who doesn't understand the "Aloha Shirt," also referred to as "Hawaiian Shirt?" Aloha shirts include colorful floral patterns and are widely worn by males and females of all ages, in official and casual celebrations. It's a must to have one - no, actually many - in the modern Hawaiian society.

The "Aloha Shirt" was initially offered in Honolulu, in 1935. Twenty years later, and after the second World War, travelers began to buy the famous Hawaiian tropical-print shirts as a memento. Year 2000 was declared "The Year of the Aloha shirt" in memory of Ellery Chun, the tailor who introduced the iconic clothing.

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In spite of the overuse of the word "Aloha," the soul of the expression stays unaltered. Which is precisely what we need to maintain and share, not only as internet users, but also as residents of the world. Aloha nui loa.

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