In the midst of the unprecedented developments around COVID-19 (coronavirus), the Royal Hawaiian Movers team has had to make a number of operational adjustments. You can read more about the measures we’re taking to protect our customers, employees and families, and we’ll continue to keep our customers and our community updated.

As we’ve made these adjustments, we’ve also spent some time thinking about the traditional Hawaiian culture and values that are alive and well in the islands today. In these uncertain times, we’d like to offer you a few traditional Hawaiian concepts that you might find useful as you and your family make your own adjustments in these uncertain times.

Aloha

As Maui Mayor Michael Victorino said in a recent open letter, “Aloha is not canceled.”

Aloha is such an important concept in Hawaiian culture that it’s actually been written into the law. While many people use it as a greeting or a goodbye, the true meaning of aloha extends far beyond this simple use.

Aloha literally means “the presence of breath,” and it’s a word that signifies the community spirit between the people who live in Hawaii. It also embodies the responsibilities that exist between us as we share the same land and resources with our neighbors.

It’s a spirit that’s still strong with us here in Hawaii, and we hope it’s strong where you are, too.

Laulima

hawaiian culture hands together

While it literally translates to “many hands,” the meaning of laulima is tied to the idea of cooperation, of the power of people working together.

As we continue to play our role in moving freight and household goods to Hawaii, this concept is one that’s near and dear to our hearts. So much of what we have in the Hawaiian islands has gone on a significant journey to get here, and we’re pleased to have been one of the sets of hands some of these items passed through.

As we continue to adapt to this changing reality, it’s going to take many, many more hands to keep the world moving. We hope the spirit of laulima keeps you inspired to keep contributing in your own way.

Lokahi

hawaiian culture balance

The literal definition of lokahi is unity, agreement or accord. In traditional Hawaiian healing, the Lokahi Triangle is about achieving harmony in three areas: mentally, physically and spiritually.

But lokahi also means living in harmony with the world around us. So in addition to keeping ourselves balanced, we also need to maintain that same balance within our communities.

In other words, in uncertain times, the ideal of lokahi can be a beacon, one that reminds us to take good care of ourselves mentally, physically and spiritually—and to offer that same care to our friends and family as they maintain their own state of harmony.

Ka La Hiki Ola

hawaiian culture paddleboard

Ka la hiki ola translates to “the dawning of a new day.” This phrase speaks to the value of living in each day as it comes, of letting go of yesterday and focusing on making today the absolute best it can be. In other words, all we have is the present—and, in that moment, the opportunity to take positive action to impact ourselves and our community.

As a transportation and logistics company that’s considered an essential business, our teams have continued to keep freight and household goods moving throughout the Hawaiian islands. Ka la hiki ola reminds us to see every day as a new opportunity to deliver for our customers and our community.

Ohana

hands in ocean ohana

Most people know that ohana means family. However, your ohana extends far beyond blood ties. In Hawaiian culture, you can easily see this in the way that every adult quickly becomes an “uncle” or an “auntie” to the children around them.

When you share a small island with any group of people, you realize just how quickly everyone is connected. Even on the bigger islands, it still feels like everybody knows everybody. From a logistics perspective, we know how interconnected people really are. Every item that makes it onto a shelf in Hawaii relies on an ohana—a network of people to get it there.

But most importantly to us, ohana also means teamwork, working together to accomplish a goal, and taking care of one another along the way. Wherever you are in the world, we hope you and your ohana are caring well for each other.

Having other people to lean on, to commiserate with, to share the load, is one of the most important factors for easing your journey through uncertain times.

 

Learning from Hawaiian Culture

No matter what is happening around the globe, everyone can learn a thing or two from Hawaiian culture. The profound and prolific sprit of community, caring and love are tenets we should all strive to live by. As the world battles against the pandemic, and as we strive to get back to our “new normal,” remember that we are all in this together.

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