Aloha: How Hawaiian Culture and My Filipino Heritage Co-Exist

Laie, Oahu, Hawaiian Islands

I was thirteen years old, when I travelled to Hawaii for the first time. The first island I visited was Maui. Throughout the years since then, I visited Oahu, Kauai, and the Big Island. I had travelled to many tropical places before, but nowhere else could I find the feeling that Hawaii gave to me. It wasn't just her beauty that kept pulling me back. I've seen the ugly side of Hawaii too... the corruption, the poverty, and injustices. After visiting Hawaii more than fifteen times in my life, for the past twenty years, I've come to realise something...The Aloha Spirit is real, and you can't find that feeling anywhere else.

Hawaii today is made up of many Asian cultures, Hawaiian and other Polynesian cultures, and American culture. Filipinos, Chinese, Japanese, Koreans, Vietnamese, and the like all came to Hawaii during the sugar cane plantation days. Yet with so many different cultural influences, the Hawaiians have fought to keep their heritage strong and to this day are still fighting for sovereignty. When I landed in Hawaii the first time, I felt like I was in the Philippines, because there were so many Filipinos. The vibe was different though. Locals today, from different ethnic backgrounds embrace Hawaiian culture... so much so that a Filipino born in Hawaii is completely different than a Filipino born in the Philippines or Canada.

No, I am not Hawaiian. I am a Filipina born in Canada, yet the Hawaiian culture resonates the most with who I am, and the experiences I have had in my life. I've grown up with the Hawaiian culture, appreciating their language, music, dance, food, land and people. I was baptised Roman Catholic, yet my belief system and lifestyle is that of Aloha. I love Hawaii the same way a native Hawaiian does. I've been taught by my friends who are native or local to Hawaii, what real Hawaii is... and it's not what you see marketed online or on TV. Right now, it's trendy to go there. Over the years I've seen it become so commercialised that it is starting to overshadow Hawaii's authenticity. It has become tacky in a way, when in reality, Hawaiian culture in its essence is so graceful, beautiful and pure. Gives me goosebumps at times just seeing how conscious they are as human beings. Those who don't understand Hawaii's real culture, are definitely missing out. It's not just leis, poke, luaus, tiki drinks and paradise... it is so much more. It is the natives and local people of Hawaii that make it shine.

You're probably thinking... "isn't Aloha just a Hawaiian greeting?" No, it is deeper than. It is a lifestyle, and a philosophy, which is based off of love, peace, compassion and unity. After experiencing difficult moments in my life, their way of thinking has guided me to become a better person, more than my own religion did. Their philosophy of "Ho'oponopono" basically means that everything that is happening in our life is in its perfection. Even when times are difficult, everything is happening for a reason. It is a reminder to trust the process of life. For me, this positive and stoic way of thinking activated a healing process for me emotionally and physically.

I was asked an interesting question in a recent interview I did with "Filipinos of Montreal". They asked me, "being Filipina, how do you deal with cultural appropriation and how does Hawaiian culture and Filipino culture co-exist in your life?" My answer to that was, "we are all citizens of this world, we are all one. I don't consider myself Hawaiian, but I identify with it. Your identity shouldn't be defined by your ethnicity, but by your life experiences and how you deal with them. What made Hawaii feel like home to me was that there was such a strong influence of Filipino culture on the island, especially in the way that Hawaiians and Filipinos are both so hospitable, and value closeness and family. The Hawaiian belief system is what I prefer for my spirituality, rather than Roman Catholicism and it is how I choose to guide my life." What I know and have learned about Filipino culture came through my family, so for me, being Filipino means to be respectful, hospitable, gracious, loving, humble, and generous. Many of those traits I have also experienced in my relationship with my friends and the people I have met in Hawaii too.

I've travelled to the islands almost every couple of years for the last twenty years of my life... Every time I return from Hawaii I evolve and feel better about who I am. I started out as just a kid who loved it there. Then I became a teenager who sought to always escape my problems, and come to Hawaii to be reminded how to love myself. I dreamt of getting married there one day. That dream came to reality this past April 2019, when I married my husband in Waikiki. I named my son "Kai", which in Hawaiian means, "the sea". I wanted my child to experience Hawaii. He did, and he thrived in that environment. Now, the goal one day is for our family to move there. It just feels like home. Hawaii has influenced my life in so many ways. Now that I have come off my maternity leave, I started my own business - an events company called "Ka'Ana Co.", where "ka'ana" means "to share". What makes me the happiest is when I can share stories with others, learn about others, and share my time in gatherings. That's why I love to plan events. It's intimate, and that's how I've always felt with Hawaii. I want my clients to feel those values of Aloha when they work with us.

I've been reading "Managing With Aloha" by Rosa Say, because I wanted to create a company culture for my business with the 19 values of Aloha that it speaks about. It calls to me. It is not only the way I would want to lead my company, but also the way I'd want to raise my family, and treat my friends and colleagues. It is also something I'd love to share with my audience... so with that being said, Aloha! Please feel free to use these wonderful values in your life, whether you are Hawaiian or not. The more of these kinds of common-sense values we can spread around the world, will surely make it a better place.

Mahalo for reading.

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The 19 Values of Aloha (from Managing with Aloha by Rosa Say):

ALOHA Aloha is a value, one of unconditional love. Aloha is the outpouring and receiving of the spirit.

HO‘OHANA The value of work: To work with intent and with purpose.

‘IMI OLA To “seek best life.” Our purpose in life is to seek its highest form. The value of mission and vision.

HO‘OMAU The value of perseverance. To persist, to continue, to perpetuate. Never give up.

KŪLIA I KA NU‘U The value of achievement. “Strive to reach the summit.” Pursue personal excellence in all you do.

HO‘OKIPA The value of hospitality, a hospitality of complete giving. Welcome guests and strangers with your spirit of Aloha.

‘OHANA Those who are family, and those you choose to call your family. As a value, ‘Ohana is a human circle of complete Aloha.

LŌKAHI The value of teamwork: Collaboration and cooperation. Harmony and unity. People who work together can achieve more.

KĀKOU The value of communication, for “All of us.” We are in this together. Learn to speak the language of we.

KULEANA One’s personal sense of responsibility. “I accept my responsibilities, and I will be held accountable.”

‘IKE LOA The value of learning. To know well. To seek knowledge and wisdom.

HA‘AHA‘A The value of humility. Be humble, be modest, and open your thoughts.

HO‘OHANOHANO To honor the dignity of others. Conduct yourself with distinction, and cultivate respectfulness.

ALAKA‘I The value of leadership. Lead with initiative, and with your good example. You shall be the guide for others when you have gained their trust and respect.

MĀLAMA The value of stewardship. To take care of. To serve and to honor, to protect and care for.

MAHALO “Thank you”, as a way of living. Live in thankfulness for the richness that makes life so precious.

NĀNĀ I KE KUMU Look to your Sense of Place and sources of spirit, and you find your truth.

PONO The value of integrity, of rightness and balance. The feeling of contentment when all is good and all is right.

KA LĀ HIKI OLA “The dawning of a new day.” Optimism. The value of hope and promise.