Aloha, 2012 - ongoing

E hō mai (i) ka ‘ike mai luna mai ē
‘O nā mea huna no‘eau o nā mele ē
E hō mai, e hō mai, e hō mai ē (a)

Grant us the wisdom from above
The hidden secrets of the chants
Grant us, grant us, oh grant us

- Edith Kanaka‘ole
  E hō mai chant*

Aloha is the Hawaiian word used for hello and goodbye, it is often translated into English as love. But the meaning is much deeper for Kānaka Maoli. The islands of Hawai‘i conjure visions of a tropical utopia. It is a place often synonymous with paradise, palm trees, surfing, hula, ‘ukulele and luxury resorts. While the Hawai‘i seen in tourist brochures certainly exists, behind the brash commercialisation and American imperialism a native culture thrives, actively celebrated through traditions of hula, oli, mele and talking story. At times, the theft of land and resources from the rightful sovereigns is stiflingly inescapable and it becomes apparent that the everyday reality of the suburbs can exist even in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Yet somehow the famed ‘Aloha Spirit’ emanates from not only the people but also the diverse and everchanging landscape. For many, the connection to the islands is felt at the soul level. Known as aloha ‘āina, this love of the land is central to kānaka ʻōiwi culture.

*E hō mai chant reproduced here with kind permission from the Edith Kanaka‘ole Foundation.
www.edithkanakaolefoundation.org