brown-skinned girl

there is a guy at church who always says aloha to me. and i laugh because, well you would have to know him. alot of people say "aloha" and think they are the next don ho.
but most people dont understand what it means. each letter has it own thought.

the first is akahai, to be kind
the second is lokahi, to be inclusive
the third is olu'olu, to be agreeable
the fourth is ha'aha'a, to be humble
the last is ahonui, to be patient

these are the characteristics of the hawaiian people. by itself "alo" is space and "ha" is breath. so when you say aloha you say come, share my space, share my breath. i wonder sometimes if my great aunts and uncles-the kapuna (or elder ones)- are the last to remember what things were like before condos and hotels filled every space of the island. but i can remember the stories. and i will learn the songs & the words. i will live aloha & understand its significance.

mele kalikemaka