Aloha Means "Hello!": Bird Painting by kto ART

Aloha Means "Hello": 'I'iwi with Lehua

"Welcome to the islands!" That's what this friendly little 'I'iwi is saying to us. He came all the way down the mountain to share in the aloha spirit.

"Aloha" means hello, but it also translates into a whole lot more. It is love, affection, peace, empathy and devotion. Prior to affiliation with Europeans and the western world, aloha was not used as the primary greeting. Now we see "Aloha" written everywhere from airport greetings to business names to public signs and definitely on our postcards. "Aloha" has become the most recognized word in the Hawaiian language with good reason. You hear the word as a welcome when you arrive and as a farewell when you leave. And most importantly, you feel the aloha every moment you are here in Hawaii. Pretty wonderful if you ask me!