From Wikipedia...
The word aloha derives from the Proto-Polynesian root *qarofa, and ultimately from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian.[1][2] It has cognates in other Polynesian languages, such as Samoan alofa and Māori aroha, also meaning "love."
A folk etymology claims that it derives from a compound of the Hawaiian words alo meaning "presence", "front", "face", or "share"; and ha, meaning "breath of life" or "essence of life." Although alo does indeed mean "presence" etc., the word for breath is spelled with a macron or kahakō over the a (hā) whereas the word aloha does not have a long a.
[edit] Usage
The use of the word as a greeting has been reconstructed to Proto-Polynesian.[3] Before contact with the West, other words used for greeting included welina and anoai. Today, "aloha kakahiaka" is the phrase for "good morning." "Aloha ʻauinalā" means "good afternoon" and "aloha ahiahi" means "good evening." "Aloha kākou" is a common form of "welcome to all."In modern Hawaiʻi, numerous businesses have aloha in their names, with more than 3 pages of listings in the Oʻahu phone book alone.
[edit] Trends
Recent trends are popularizing the term elsewhere in the United States. Popular entertainer, Broadway star and Hollywood actress Bette Midler, born in Honolulu, uses the greeting frequently in national appearances. The word was also used frequently in the 1968 and 2010 versions of the hit television drama Hawaii Five-0. In the influential 1982 film comedy Fast Times at Ridgemont High the student, and surfer, Jeff Spicolli, Sean Penn, uses the greeting with the eccentric teacher Mr. Hand, Ray Walston, who had earlier made use of the greeting himself. The Aloha Spirit is a major concept in Lilo and Stitch, a very popular Disney series of movies and TV shows, set in Hawaiʻi. The drama series Lost, shot in Hawaiʻi, has a thank you note at the end of the credits saying "We thank the people of Hawaiʻi and their Aloha Spirit". Aloha is a term also used in the Nickelodeon program Rocket Power.Arguably the most famous historical Hawaiian song, "Aloha ʻOe" was written by the last queen of Hawaii, Liliʻuokalani.
The term inspired the name of the ALOHA Protocol introduced in the 1970s by the University of Hawaii.
In Hawaii someone can be said to have or show aloha in the way they treat others; whether family, friend, neighbor or stranger.
Fascinating, that this word aloha means love - or literally in the presence of the essence or breath of life? Is it not true that love really is the essence and breath of life? What is a life without love? Sadly, in my work in corrections I see everyday what happens when people live a live devoid of love....
Do you ever get the feeling that some things are meant to be? That some things do not come into your life just by chance or coincidence? The really interesting thing is that "aloha" has another meaning for me. I am really hoping to earn a trip to Hawaii this February, and the only way that I am going to do that is by helping a whole bunch of people to have some really great experiences. I am noticing that the more I get out of my own head, where I worry about how to get things done for me, the more I am able to see others and to be of better service to them. It is awesome. Could being more loving in my life actually take me to a place where I could experience that land where "aloha" was born? That would be really cool!
Today, I played some fun music and enjoyed some time with my kids and cooking dinner. I was patient. I was relaxed. I was busy, but I had fun. I helped a couple of stressed people out to relax... I feel good.
I am noticing that simple acts and simple choices start to add up to big changes and I love it.
In the spirit of Aloha....
Emily
2 comments:
Faint in the distance I can hear a yulekalale (however you spell it..a little guitar:)... playing you a melody! aloha sweet sister.
In the distance I hear a Yulekelale (however you spell the name for that small guitar with the ridiculously hard to spell name) ... aloha sweet sister:)
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