Aloha; Its Heart, Spirit and Soul

When you first come to the Big Island you will find that you are frequently greeted with an Aloha. If you go to a luau, they will ask you to repeat aloooooooo-ha. Everyone repeats in fun. When it comes to the seriousness of the word, there are so many definitions.

I was recently on Oahu and walked into a store that had a banner that explained the many meanings of aloha so eloquently. When you come to my booth at any of the markets, I will most likely greet you with an aloha. This is what I have come to know the word to mean…

For me, aloha’s meaning comes back to something I learned as a child; love your neighbor as yourself. Anyone I come in contact with, is my neighbor.
The 1st word in English I think of is kindness. I am also reminded of grace to be expressed with tenderness. Unity to be expressed with harmony. Agreeability to be gently expressed with pleasantness. Humility to be expressed with modesty. Patience to be expressed with perseverance.

These are the traits that express the charm and sincerity of the Hawaiian culture and those who choose to adopt it. Aloha is so much more than a hello a goodbye or even an I love you. It means mutual regard and affection and extends warmth and caring with no obligation in return. When you meet someone who has the true spirit of aloha you most definitely know it, you can feel it. They make you feel important, special, they want to spend that moment in time with you and you alone. Nothing else matters but simply being together.

When you come to Hawaii, notice the difference in experiencing the spirit of aloha, and how it makes you feel. Be sure to stop by the Da Vine Food’s booth so I can share a little aloha with you. Consider taking some of that spirit of aloha home with you and see how positively your neighbors react.

Da Vine Food’s Pumehana, Lilikoi Chili Pepper Sauce, uses one of the often expressed aloha terms, which is aloha with warmth. You might more commonly see it expressed as with warm regards; in Hawaiian Aloha Pumehana.

Just a reminder, all of our products are handcrafted, in small batches, and made with the spirit and passion of aloha. Be sure check out our web site each month so you don’t miss our monthly specials.

Aloha!