What is Aloha? According to Joseph Nāwahī.

Joseph Kahoʻoluhi Nāwahīokalaniʻōpuʻu was one of the most prolific Hawaiian patriots. He was a self-taught lawyer, Kingdom of Hawai‘i House Representative (Puna & Hilo), Minister of Foreign Affairs for Queen Lili‘uokalani, founding member and president of Hui Hawai‘i Aloha ‘Āina.

Even this accomplished list of positions doesn’t say enough about the impact of Nāwahī. Some have called him the George Washington of the Hawaiian Kingdom. He founded one of the largest kānaka ‘ōiwi political organization boasting 8,000 members. His funeral procession was considered to be large enough to befit a head of state, even though he never held the position.

Esteemed Kahu to the monarchy, Rev. Samuel Enoka called Nawahi “ke kia”, the ships mast, and “the only leader to unite the minds of the people everywhere.”

Nāwahī published his own newspaper “Ke Aloha Aina” in advocacy for the kingdom of Hawai‘i, and commonly wrote articles in various other publications. Shortly after the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom, and a month after the formation of Hui Hawai‘i Aloha ‘Āina, in the April 12th 1893 publication of Ka Leo o ka Lahui, Nāwahī wrote an article Titled “Ke Aloha Aina”.

In this article Nāwahī explains his understanding of Aloha ‘Āina with a biblical perspective. While today we more commonly see Aloha ‘Āina represented as a direct concept. During the period tied to the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom, Aloha ‘Āina was a way to express Hawaiian patriotism.

Nāwahī used various Bible verses to build his understanding of Hawaiian Patriotism or Aloha ‘Āina.

• He shares the importance of raising children to understand aloha while referencing Exodus 20:12 “Honor your Father and Mother”
• He references Mark 12:30-31 as a prerequisite for one’s love for land. Expressing that first you must “E aloha i ke akua me kou naau a pau.”Love your God with all your heart) and second “Aloha i ke kanaka” (Love People).
• Genesis - Briefly mentions various points in creation, “Bones of our parents and ancestors from Adam to us”.

But the strongest statement in the article comes with his breakdown of Aloha. He claims it is divided into three distinct parts.

1. Love for God (Aloha Akua)
2. Love for People (Aloha Kanaka)
3. Love for Land (Aloha Aina)

Expressing that one must have love for all three parts in unison, and the person who says he loves his land, yet denies God, his love is not real (Aole maoli), profound (hohonu) or true (oiaio).

Some might find this statement controversial, but for Nāwahī and his biblical perspective of the world it makes perfect sense.

Imagine the laborious process of lei making. You spend hours picking the right materials, foraging, prepping, and crafting the perfect gift. Now imagine gifting that lei, but the recipient receives the lei, turns their back towards you and gives all their love, attention, and thanks to the lei itself.

This is what love for land and people looks like without God. It’s a rejection of the creator while expressing love for the creation. If you believe in the Bible like Nāwahī, the foundation for aloha kānaka and aloha ‘āina has to be in Aloha ke Akua.

If you found this post encouraging leave a comment below, share with a friend and live with aloha ke Akua.

Full 1893 Article "Ke Aloha Aina" by Nāwahī.

Mahalo nui to Dr. Ron Williams Jr for the background information on Nāwahī and mahalo to Mo‘olelo Kū‘i‘o for sharing this article with us.