Aloha!
Since this is our first blog entry it seems appropriate to start it off with talking about a word we use often, but many do not fully appreciate its depth – aloha.
Aloha has many meanings. The tourists to our islands quickly pick up on its use to mean hello or goodbye. From the Hawaiian dictionary we also get a complete academic review of its many meanings: love, affection, compassion, mercy, sympathy, pity, kindness, sentiment, grace, charity, greeting, salutation, regards; sweetheart, lover, loved one, to love, to be fond of, etc.
Before opening the Leilani Bed & Breakfast we held a traditional Hawaiian blessing for our place. We felt very blessed to be here and wanted to share the local culture. We invited Auntie Leilehua Yuen to do the honors. Realizing that many of the guests were new to the islands she was generous in explaining everything she did, starting with her greeting. She explained that the literal translation of aloha is “I give my essence to you”, and when you are in the intimate vicinity of the person being so honored, they take a deep inhalation and breath in that essence as you say the word. This is the true spirit of aloha. What could be more genuine, generous, and deeply connecting?
Many of our B&B guests have given us testimonials citing our generous hospitality. They are just experiencing us living aloha.
Aloha,
Lynn and Randy
