We were warned: you’re going to fall in love with Hawaii, and you’ll want to come back. It didn’t even take 48 hours, and we were already hooked.
What makes tourists fall in love with Hawaii? Is it the tropical climate, the paradisiacal beaches, the sea turtles and manta rays, the abundance of tropical fruits, or the active volcanoes? Yes, it’s a bit of all that, but in my opinion, it’s mainly because of the « Aloha Spirit. »
Aloha means hello. But it also means goodbye, welcome, nice to meet you, have fun, chill, and many other things. Aloha symbolizes love, peace, compassion, kindness, and even respect for the environment. The Aloha Spirit encompasses all of this. Without expecting anything in return, and that’s what makes this mindset so beautiful. Aloha is the « Pura Vida » of Costa Rica. It’s expressed through smiles, a warm welcome in restaurants, cafes, and hotels, courteous driving on the road, and a genuine desire for the stranger to feel welcome wherever they go.
The other day, as I was leaving the grocery store, a local asked if I needed help carrying my bags to the car. When I said no, he insisted on returning my cart. When you encounter another driver on a narrow road, and both have to pull over to the side – which happens often on the Big Island – you exchange a « shaka, » that typical Hawaiian hand gesture. The Aloha Spirit is expressed in these small everyday gestures. We might take it for granted, but it’s not the same everywhere in the world, not even in other tropical paradises.
The Aloha Spirit is a cultural concept deeply rooted in Hawaiian traditions and values. It’s not only passed down from generation to generation, but it’s so firmly embedded in Hawaiian life that it has been codified into law, where it is established as a guiding principle for state officials, encouraging them to approach their duties with respect, patience, and compassion.
Even as tourists, we’re touched by the Aloha Spirit. It’s a reminder to approach life with love, respect, and positivity. Aloha is the answer 🙂