Written by the Maui Snorkeling team, operating Molokini Crater, Turtle Town, and Coral Gardens tours out of Maʻalaea Harbor since 1985. Tours are led by USCG‑licensed captains aboard a USCG‑inspected passenger vessel. We spend more days in these waters than on land.
Last updated: March 2026
Spirit of Aloha Main Takeaways:
- Aloha is more than "hello;" it describes a way of relating with warmth, mutual respect, and care.
- Hawaiʻi’s Aloha Spirit law (HRS §5‑7.5) describes aloha spirit as coordination of mind and heart, expressed through five traits (the ALOHA values).
- Visitors can practice aloha on Maui by showing respect for people, culture, places, and the ocean (including simple snorkeling etiquette).
“Aloha is the word used to say both ‘hello’ and ‘goodbye’ in Hawaiian, but it means much more than just a simple salutation – aloha is a way of life.”
What Does “Aloha” Mean Beyond Hello and Goodbye?
Aloha is a beautiful word with a very complex meaning. Many may know it as a greeting, farewell, or salutation. Aloha is the word for both ‘hello’ and ‘goodbye’ in Hawaiian. However, it means much more than just a greeting. Aloha is a way of life.
The Aloha Spirit Law (HRS §5‑7.5)
By definition of the Hawaiʻi Law of The Aloha Spirit, “Aloha Spirit” is the coordination of mind and heart within each person. It brings each person to the self. Each person must think and express good feelings to others. It means mutual regard and affection and extends warmth in caring without obligation. “Aloha” is the essence of relationships in which each person is important to every other person for collective existence. ”Aloha” means to hear what is not said, to see what cannot be seen, and to know the unknowable.
The Aloha Values
- 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.
Pilahi Paki, a great Hawaiian philosopher, spoke of aloha not only as a definition but as a legacy of Hawaii and its ancestors. Aloha embodies deeply held Hawaiian cultural beliefs about community, peace, and spiritual truth and expresses Hawaii’s hopes for a harmonious future that extends to the whole world.
The late Haleaka Iolani Pule, a teacher of Hawaiian spirituality, described aloha as “our innate sense to love things unconditionally… It’s a symbiotic relationship and the acknowledgment of that symbiotic relationship that you have with everything in the universe around you and recognizing exactly your space within it.”
You will know the spirit of aloha when you feel it. It is a life force, a moral code, an expression of love and a connection to nature.
5 Simple Ways Visitors Can Live with More Aloha
- Value and spend time in nature without taking from it
- Live in the present moment and appreciate it
- Cultivate meaningful connections
- Choose to see the good
- Love always
Not long ago, the Hawaiian language was almost lost. Hawaiian is one of the official languages of Hawaii, but in 1990, the number of Hawaiian speakers declined sharply. Thanks to Hawaiian-language immersion schools, more people are learning the language. Efforts to revive Hawaiians are also helping. As a result, the number of native speakers is slowly increasing. See our What Language is Spoken in Hawaii guide for more information.
The “Aloha Snorkeling” Rules
- Look, don’t touch: coral is alive; contact can damage it.
- Give wildlife space: don’t chase, corner, or block turtles/fish.
- Control your fins: stay horizontal; avoid standing or kicking up sand.
- Take nothing: no shells, coral, rocks.
- Follow local guidance: conditions can change quickly; if a spot is closed/unsafe, respect it.
See our snorkel tours:
It’s important to follow the spirit of aloha in your daily life. You will know the spirit of aloha when you feel it. People who live in Hawaii understand this idea well. It’s one of the state’s unique traits. This quality keeps people from all backgrounds visiting the islands over and over.
Spirit of Aloha Blog Resources:
Do You Have The Aloha Spirit? 5 Words To Live By
Spirit of Aloha FAQs
Is the Aloha Spirit a real law in Hawaiʻi?
Yes. Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes §5‑7.5 describes the “Aloha Spirit” and encourages public officials to consider it as they serve the people.
What does ALOHA stand for in the Aloha Spirit law?
The law lists five traits used to express aloha spirit: Akahai (kindness), Lōkahi (unity), ʻOluʻolu (pleasantness), Haʻahaʻa (humility), and Ahonui (patience).
Does “aloha” only mean hello and goodbye?
Is it okay for visitors to say “aloha”?
What’s the simplest way to practice aloha on Maui as a visitor?
How can I show aloha while snorkeling?
How do you pronounce ʻOluʻolu and Haʻahaʻa?
Why do people say aloha is a “way of life”?
Because it’s not just a word—it’s a set of values and a mindset about relationships: with people, with community, and with the natural world.
