The True Meanings Behind These 9 Popular Hawaiian Phrases Hold the Secret to Zen

Aloha

It’s easy to feel Zen in Hawaii, with soothing ukulele music and tropical Mai Tais on white sand beaches. But on a recent trip to Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa on Oahu, it was the Hawaiian words themselves, and the journey into their deeper meanings, that melted my tension away. “When you get really into Hawaiian, it changes your whole worldview,” says Manako Tanaka, Aulani Resort’s Ambassador 2017, who is getting a master’s degree in Hawaiian language. A perfect example is aloha, the first word you hear from the friendly Aulani Resort staff. Yes, it’s a basic greeting, but it also means love. When you say aloha to a stranger, it’s as if you’re anticipating that there will be love—or at least a warm bond—between you to look forward to. Imagine if, instead of grunting in your general direction, everyone you met smiled and said (in essence), “Hey, let’s be pals!” After aloha, these are the conversation starters that will make you instantly interesting.