Live Aloha Story

Sticker

Mail us for a FREE Live Aloha bumper-sticker & card for your family, neighbors, company, church, club, school or other group, please send a Self-Addressed, Stamped Envelope with complete Postage Paid, (A sticker and card are just under an ounce, one first-class stamp in the USA) With or without a donation, to

Live Aloha
165 Waokanaka Place,
Honolulu, HI 96817

Spreading Aloha Around the World!

Hawai`i is a place of breathtaking natural beauty. But the reason we choose to be here cannot be captured on a postcard. It's an inner beauty called Aloha that makes this place so special--a deep sense of belonging to a community and caring for one another. But as we approach the 21st century and face the harsh realities of modern life, it seems that more and more Aloha is disappearing from our daily routine.

A group of friends decided that they wanted to do something about the gradual disappearance of Aloha in our island community. We started a movement called "Live Aloha" and those colorful bumper stickers began cropping up on hundreds of thousands of vehicles in Hawai`i and around the world.

Since the formation of Live Aloha, over two hundred thousand bumper stickers and accompanying information cards have been distributed. They are given to anyone who requests one, at no charge.

The Live Aloha bumper sticker is a declaration of a commitment to do just that, to Live Aloha.

The card contains a brief explanation of how our individual and collective actions can strengthen and build our community. That each of us shares this responsibility. That if we act with courtesy and caring, the Hawai`i and the world we value will thrive and endure. Robbie Alm's, one of the Live Aloha's Founders, says it best: "Sometimes the smallest actions make the biggest difference."

The card also features a list of twelve acts of Aloha. Individuals are encouraged to add to the list, acts which enhance our people and our land. The 12th suggestion is to make your own list. Linda Kramer, another one of the Live Aloha committee members shares a great idea. She says, "Once you make your list be sure to share it with family, friends and neighbors...then watch what happens."

But what does Live Aloha stand for? Perhaps Pilahi Paki explained it best with use of the Hawaiian huna. Each letter in the word Aloha represents another Hawaiian word, and together these five words most completely express the truth of aloha:

"Aloha is the coordination of mind and heart . . . it's within the individual. It brings you down to yourself. You must think and emote good feelings to others.

  • A stands for AKAHAI, meaning kindness, to be expressed with tenderness.
  • L stands for LOKAHI, meaning unity, to be expressed with harmony.
  • O stands for OLU`OLU, meaning agreeable, to be expressed with pleasantness.
  • H stands for HA`AHA`A, meaning humility, to be expressed with modesty.
  • A stands for AHONUI, meaning patience, to be expressed with perseverance."

    How can we apply this definition in our lives? Moe Keale, a Hawaiian entertainer, teaches us to internalize Pilahi Paki's key to Aloha first in our heart, to apply it next in our mind, and then to act. In Moe's words, "A lot of people have been searching for knowledge and wisdom, traveling to the ends of the earth looking for it. It is right here. It is Aloha. It starts with each one of us. It starts in the heart, next in the mind. The Kahunas taught us, heart and mind working together. This is what Live Aloha is all about..."

    You don't have to be a politician.
    Or the president of a company.
    Or a famous doctor,
    to make everyone's life better.
    Sometimes the smallest things make
    the biggest difference.

    • Respect your elders and children.
    • Leave places better than you find them.
    • Hold the door. Hold the elevator.
    • Plant something.
    • Drive with courtesy. Let others in.
    • Attend an event of another culture.
    • Return your shopping cart.
    • Get out and enjoy nature.
    • Pick up litter.
    • Share with your neighbors.
    • Create smiles.
    • Make a list of your own.

    Each of us can improve our community by our individual and collective actions.

    Each of us has that responsibility. If we act with courtesy and caring, the Hawaii we value will be strengthened.

    This list is only a starting point. Add to the list any acts which enhance our people and our land. Have your children make their own lists. Then share the lists with family, friends and neighbors and watch the results.

    The "Live Aloha" bumper sticker is a declaration of commitment. We've chosen the 'ohi'a lehua flower as our symbol. With strength of spirit the 'ohi'a lehua pushes forth from the silent volcanic landscape and grows. Favored by Hi'iaka i-ka-poli-Pele (sister of Pele), the 'ohi'a lehua takes many forms from tall trees to low shrubs, adorned with leaves of varied shapes and blossoms of varied hues. The 'ohi'a lehua's diversity, simple beauty and enduring strength mirror the diversity, simple beauty and enduring strength of Hawaii.

    We acknowledge Sig Zane for contributing his 'ohi'a lehua design, and the Hawaii Community Foundation for its sponsorship.