We moved to Hawaii in 2005. Cars everywhere had pink and green “Live Aloha” bumper stickers. What did it mean to Live Aloha? I quickly got it.
Hawaii will always be a home where I left part of my heart. I will never feel like a stranger on any island. Locals loved me as “ohana,” the Hawaiian word for family. Strangers showed warm kindness and generosity.
My first reminder of the Aloha spirit was dinner at Roy’s. It was acceptable for my kids to be seen and heard. Then a couple of friends blessed our family with the Aloha spirit.
Roy’s is one of our favorite restaurants. It is a super popular Hawaiian fusion restaurant. Lights are dimmed, and the feel is trendy and romantic. We have taken our children there many times.
But this time, we felt guilty. Our three kids were loud. Son3 was dramatic about not having a set of keys with him. I eventually jumped up and bought him a key chain next door. Our older two were famished but insisted on eating slowly with chopsticks.
Immediately a waitress and two waiters came to our rescue. They crafted “training” chopsticks with rubber bands and paper wrappers. They played with our kids, and told us “no worries.” Kids come here all of the time, they said. Our kids were just being kids. They weren’t digging for their tips. They really were sincere.
I know from living in Hawaii that children, or keiki, are honored in Hawaiian culture. The staff was overly kind, but Dr. Romance and I took turns with them outside watching Waikiki tourist trolleys.
Our cousin ate dinner with us, so we switched to eat with her.
Our time in Hawaii was scarce, but we wanted to see two old friends. I gave them hardly any notice. I called them and said, “HEY, do you have time for us?” And both said yes, and asked what was best for us. True Aloha.
My friend D. and came to Waikiki to visit us. She is pregnant with her third. We have known each other before she had any kids, and I had just one toddler. She made my second child his baby quilt, and hosted a shower for him. I forgot to tell her that my third child now sleeps with the same quilt.
Our kids played in the water and we talked long enough for soul watering. Just before she left she handed me a plate wrapped in foil from under her stroller. She thought I could use some chocolate, she said. (You remember how I have a thing for triple chocolate?!?) She handed me a baggie of suckers pops for the kids. It is her favorite plane trick, she said. Finally, she loaded me up on snacks for my kids. She said I needed them. I hugged her tightly. The Aloha spirit is to bring a friend you have not seen in awhile a gift. I felt so overwhelmed because I should have had something for her. But she assured me it was nothing. She truly meant it. THAT is Aloha. To give unconditionally. To consider a friend before yourself.
One last person we wanted to see is Son1’s preschool teacher. I have written so much about her on the blog. She is a local author who has taught preschool for over twenty years. Son1 had her for nearly two years until we moved. She has loved our son like her own child, and set very high expectations. She is ohana to us.
We invited her to dinner. She insisted, though, on cooking local Hawaiian dinner. I called to let her know we were running late. We were surprised when she told us a whole group of folks were waiting. We were having a homecoming dinner, of sorts. It was like a family reunion. At least this time, we remembered not to come empty handed. Arriving with gifts is to show Aloha.
We were blessed by her dinner. We were sent off with more Aloha, more plane trip gifts.
Returning to Hawaii brought the Aloha spirit to the forefront of our minds. It reminded us of what it means to Live Aloha. It was a beautiful way to leave the United States.
