Is Being Nice A Legal Requirement In Hawaii?

The Aloha Spirit is more than just a philosophy for Hawaiian natives.

Anyone who’s ever visited Hawaii knows the locals are some of the most laid-back, friendliest people you’ll ever meet. Produce vendors will slip you an extra treat; bartenders will mix you something special that’s not on the menu; surfers will let you in on where to catch the best waves. The Hawaiian sense of inclusion and welcoming nature is something unique and spectacular. But are the residents just acting that way because it’s the law?

In Hawaii, “Aloha” is a greeting that means both “hello” and “goodbye.” The Aloha Spirit, though, means so much more. Aside from the salutations, Aloha translates to “What’s mine is yours, unconditional love,” and in 1986 the Aloha Spirit Law was enacted. Its origin derives from a Maui elder named Pilahi Paki at the 1970 conference—Hawaii 2000—where the state’s residents discussed its past, present, and future. In her famed speech, Paki broke down each letter of “Aloha” into a singular phrase that emphasized the importance of being kind to one another:
Akahai, meaning kindness to be expressed with tenderness;
Lōkahi, meaning unity, to be expressed with harmony;
ʻOluʻolu, meaning agreeable, to be expressed with pleasantness;
Haʻahaʻa, meaning humility, to be expressed with modesty;
Ahonui, meaning patience, to be expressed with perseverance.
Though nearly impossible to enforce, the Aloha Spirit Law is a philosophy Hawaiians strive to live by; one that’s important to follow for a state that’s the most isolated population center in the world. The island chain’s closest neighbors are California, which is around 2,400 miles to the east, and Japan, which is 4,000 miles to the west.

Not even inter-island travel is easy, as there’s no bridges connecting them. Thus, it’s sort of like when seven roommates are sharing a three-bedroom apartment—you don’t want to get on each other’s nerves, because having beef with someone in such close proximity can make things awkward real quick.

Aloha Spirit may be mandatory for Hawaiian residents, but like so many other traditions of old, they embrace it openly (hell, people have been honoring Pele—the fire goddess—instead of diverting Kilauea’s lava flow). They treasure ‘Ohana, respect Mother Nature wholeheartedly, and find joy in helping visitors appreciate their beloved state. Maybe that’s why Hawaii is the number one destination people want to visit before they die. That and the excellent food, breathtaking scenery and vibrant culture.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.