The word Aloha has a long list of English translations.  Beginning first on the list of translations is the word itself, Aloha, and following are the words “affection, compassion, mercy, and sympathy” before many more translations (“Aloha”).  The Hawaiian Dictionary struggles to define the word Aloha, as seen by its first translation of it, because the English translation of the word Aloha is too restrictive of the culture, values, and experiences that Aloha truly reflects.  As I attempt to describe Aloha, I must consider my Hawaiian culture that my kupuna had passed along to the next generations.  Additionally, I must also consider what values my kupuna treasured and instilled upon me.  Lastly, I must consider the different experiences that I had lived that showed me how Aloha feels, looks, smells, tastes, and sounds like.

     The earliest memory I have of when I learned what Aloha means was by my kupuna wahine (grandmother) before she passed away when I was younger.  Growing up I was fortunate to have my grandmother living right next door to our home so I could visit her frequently.  I wanted to spend so much time with my grandmother that it led to her giving me my own drawer of clothes for all the sleepovers I would spend at her house.  During one special sleepover, I remember her making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for me as a late night snack.  The soft bread held in my hand that smelled of the perfect ratio of peanut butter to jelly and folded perfectly in-half.  The taste of the sandwich felt like a warm hug that my grandmother would give me often.  I did not understand then what I do now, which is that a peanut butter and jelly sandwich was her meaning of Aloha.  My grandmother defined Aloha by the action of making me something she knew I would enjoy.

     As I eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich today. I appreciate the time that we had together.  I think the meaning of Aloha remains difficult to define but it most closely mirrors the people in our life that could make us feel as if we’re being hugged without being physically there.  Although there are many more people in my life that help me to define what Aloha means to me, I will always cherish the earliest memory of my kupuna wahine, who taught me what Aloha meant to her.

Reference: “Aloha,” Na Puke Wehewehe ‘Olelo Hawai’i, n.d., https://wehewehe.org.