Aloha 'Āina

Aloha 'Āina

The phrase Aloha ʻĀina means the love of one's land or country, however, it is a multi-faceted phrase that means more than just that. Aloha ʻĀina is also the Hawaiian term for patriotism. While we see the phrase “Aloha ʻĀina” everywhere today, it is important for us to remember that Aloha ʻĀina is a very old concept. Aloha ʻĀina has been conveyed in thousands of our Hawaiian songs and chants that convey a deep love for our home land. The famous mele that so poetically protested the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom, “Kaulana Nā Pua”, was also known as “Mele Aloha ʻĀina”.   The Hui Aloha ʻĀina was the name of the Hawaiian Patriotic league who came together in the late 1890’s to oppose the annexation of Hawaiʻi to the United States, the Hui Aloha ʻĀina was successful in stopping the legal annexation of Hawaiʻi by organizing the Kūʻē Petition drive that carried the signatures of an overwhelming majority of Hawaiʻiʻs population in opposition to annexation. The phrase Aloha ʻĀina was revived in the 1970ʻs when the Protect Kahoʻolawe ʻOhana used “Aloha ʻĀina” as the rallying call to stop the bombing of Kahoʻolawe.

Today many of Hawaiʻiʻs largest movements draw upon the strength of the phrase Aloha ʻĀina to unify the people to stand up to injustice because of our deep love for our Homeland. Hae Hawaiʻi is a company that embraces Aloha ʻĀina as a core part of our identity, Aloha ‘Āina is a pillar of our brand, our messaging in all of our designs and products. Let us all rise up together and Aloha ʻĀina for the future of Hawaiʻi.

By: Lāiana Kanoa-Wong