Ho’ohana is the value of purposeful and meaningful work. When we work towards something with intention, it provides a feeling of satisfaction and purpose that nothing else can.
Think about the work you currently do, whether you’re a mother/homemaker, working a full time career, or starting a side hustle… is your work purposeful? Is it meaningful to you?
Work can be hard. Some people work because they have to, some because they want to, and others consider work to not be work at all. Ho’ohano is the idea that when we become friends with work, work can be an enjoyable, growing, and enlightening experience.
“Ho’o” – means to do.
“Hana” – means to work with purpose or intent.
Therefore, ho’o + hana = to do meaningful, purposeful, or intentional work
Ho’ohana is like playing a sport
If you’ve ever played a sport, you know that it requires effort, especially physically and mentally. If you can put your energy and focus into what you’re doing, you become stronger and your abilities increase.
In high school, I did Cross Country and, although I wasn’t the fastest runner on the team, I worked hard. I pushed myself to beat personal PRs and boosted my teammates too. At the start of the season, there would usually be a lot of people on the team, and by the end, about a quarter would’ve dropped out.
The drop-out quarter of runners would complain about practices being too hard, or gossip about the coaches, spreading lies and negativity. Some of us ignored them, and some listened. The ones who listened usually ended up dropping out too.
Those of us who didn’t listen continued to try our best, and to be obedient to our coaches, instead of complaining. When our coach said to get down and do 10 burpees, we did it. When our coach said to sit down and relax, so we could mentally visualize race day, we did it.
It’s not about the destination, only finding meaning in the journey
Races and practices, though still hard on the body and mind, actually became enjoyable. Anybody who does a sport knows this. When you become a friend to the exercise and work, you actually have fun and find purpose + meaning.
That is ho’ohana. It doesn’t mean that work becomes any easier, it just means that you become a friend to work, knowing that as you put in your 100%, YOU become stronger. You become friends with those who work alongside you, and friends with those directing you (boss, employer, coach, etc).
Whether it’s a coworkers, spouse, family member, friend, or teammate who complains about the work, slipping down the hole of negativity, criticism, and gossip, YOU actively choose to disengage and press forward. With your own desire to learn and grow—even if the work is hard–you choose ho’ohana and pave the way for success.
Instead of waiting for something to happen in your life and work, you create paradise right where you are through living ho’ohana.
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How to live Ho’ohana
There are many ways to implement this Hawaiian value into your life, but the most important thing is to start where you are. Trying to do everything at once leads to overwhelm, and ho’ohana is about doing meaningful work, not trying to do everything.
Create Purpose
Whether you’re a stay at home mom, employee, or employer, create purpose in your work. Creating purpose is different from finding purpose. When you create purpose, you intentionally choose the WHY behind what you’re doing—whether that be wanting to raise the kids in a loving environment, make extra money from a side hustle, or work towards a dream vacation. When you find purpose, you go through a checklist in your head of your reasons to work.
Ho’ohana loves creativity, so as you create a WHY behind your work, you find more peace + enjoyment in it. It might seem a little more obvious to find the WHY behind raising children or running a business, but what about jobs that are less enjoyable—those of minimum wage, demanding environments, and/or less-than-pleasant customers… I’m talking call centers, fast food joints, etc. How can you live ho’ohana when you’re starting from the bottom and/or stuck at a job you don’t like?
Choose your why
Create purpose. Choose WHY you’re there. People say things like, “I have to work,” but the reality is that nobody is forcing them to work. Ho’ohana is taking responsibility for the choice to work.
I’ve worked odd jobs to make ends meet here and there. One of the jobs was at a call center, where people would call in swearing and angry at the product. It was so hard not to take things personally. But I had a purpose in this work. It was just a temporary job to make some money while I started a side hustle (this blog!). That was my reason.
I did my best and implemented the value of ho’ohana by becoming friends with my coworkers and bosses. They noticed my efforts and I was even promoted to the Tier 2 calls, which meant a pay raise!
When the time came that I left the job, my coworkers were so sad, as we’d all become good friends. To this day we’re all still good friends. I’m so grateful that my time there—at a less than pleasant job—had been a growing and even enjoyable experience!
Put in 100%
Ho’ohana puts in a full 100% effort. It doesn’t mean you need to be perfect at the things you’re doing, but when you TRY, you receive a deep satisfaction in life.
For a short time in college, I worked at a bakery as a pastry chef. My supervisor was very much a witch: breathing down our necks, impatiently giving orders and demands, telling us to do one thing then chastising us the next minute for not doing something else, etc. She was so inconsistent and grumpy, it was easy for anyone to feel negatively towards her and the work.
But I chose to ho’ohana… to work hard and be a good team player. In no time, my efforts affected my coworkers and even the other supervisors in the bakery—who would often approach and ask me how I was doing.
They would always say hello to me, which really made my time at the bakery better. The work conditions regarding my supervisor never improved, I never got a raise, and my efforts weren’t once recognized by my supervisor.
But God noticed.
I had given 100% to that job, and God had graced me with more patience, endurance, and stamina to handle the snappiness and weaknesses of others. And another blessing occurred from giving 100%. While I had been working at the bakery, I networked with the right people and got an envied and prized job on the college campus.
Giving 100% really works!
Take Initiative
When you see an opportunity to grow and learn in your work, take initiative. Ho’ohana is all about building others up, and building yourself up at the same time. Have you ever had a disagreeable coworker or work environment? How easy is it to complain and gossip about it? Or to just quit in search of a place that would “make you happier”?
While some situations are toxic—and you should definitely run away from those asap—most jobs are great “except that one thing or person.” What if we implemented the value of ho’ohana to grow + expand ourselves and our abilities to give and receive aloha?
Every person has weaknesses, so how can we use our strengths to help with the weaknesses of others? Ho’ohana is being resistant against the downers of work, and, instead, seeking solutions.
When we think of a work environment like a sports team, wouldn’t you do something to compensate for a player who has a weak knee or arm? Wouldn’t you want to help them so the whole team grows stronger? In fact, wouldn’t everyone want to use their strengths to help others with their weaknesses?
Ho’ohana is creating that environment where everyone can work hard and help one another.
Be Creative
If you know that the work you currently do isn’t what you want to do forever, then truly let the value of ho’ohana sink in by being creative. While creating this blog, I worked about 4 different jobs to support myself and my husband (and he worked too). From taking family photos and wedding videography, to substitute teaching and working as a music teacher at a local school… I worked hard to pursue my dreams.
Ho’ohana is all about stretching ourselves to reach our dreams. My main goal was to be able to work for myself as a creative, but this would not be easy. And it would certainly take time. All of my side jobs weren’t always easy, but I stayed positive and kept it in my mind that these little tasks would generate income to start up my creative business.
I felt silly as I did all of these jobs, especially when people asked me what I was doing, but I learned that their opinions didn’t matter. Ho’ohana allowed me to see the bigger picture—that I was working for a cause.
Sometimes you have to do things non-traditionally to do work that is purposeful and meaningful for you. I’ve met so many people who created their success without going to college and getting a degree. I’ve met people who hustled in college (like myself) and got a degree but hustled even more afterwards, in order to create purposeful work.
A huge part of ho’ohana is to stay positive. Our world views work as drudgery, and like we’re slaves to work our whole lives. This simply isn’t true. Work can be enjoyable when we create purpose and view work as a necessary growing part of life.
There will always be work to do—work to raise children, work to make money, work in the yard, work to strengthen a relationship, work to correct a mistake, work towards a dream, etc.
But ho’ohana helps us enjoy and even love the work we do… because work is not meaningless. We create purpose and meaning in it.
Even though work hasn’t always been easy through my life, I’m grateful for those times I implemented ho’ohana, because it made things much easier.
With joy and aloha,
Lei
Let’s hear it from you!
So what are some ways you want to implement ho’ohana in your life? Comment below!
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Want to learn more Hawaiian values for a better life?
Aloha is probably one of the most popular Hawaiian words, meaning “hello,” “goodbye,” and “I love you.” But if we truly break it down and understand the etymology, the feeling, and the spirit of aloha, we learn to live on a deeper and more meaningful way.
“Alo” is the presence of, and “ha” is breath or life force. So, literally, aloha is the presence of life. It is recognizing the life in ourselves and others, and, more importantly, the love that flows through all things. Ancient Hawaiians had this concept of mana, or energy, that flows in everything. In Christian religion, this mana could be understood as spirit. The greater our love, the greater the mana.
Aloha is the constant giving and receiving of love. From the moment we were born, we have the desire to give and receive love. It is our natural state of spirit.
Through pain, heartache, trauma, and grief, our ego steps in to protect us. We form beliefs that block our flow of aloha, such as the belief that we can’t trust anyone, or that we can’t be truly happy. Aloha is loving ourselves, others, and God enough to return to that love.
It’s a lifelong journey, but it’s one that is totally worth it. When we truly recognize the life force in ourselves and others, and honor that, we create that flow of love with every person and living thing we encounter.
Aloha is like the flowing of a river
To better understand the constant flow of aloha, I imagine a beautiful, strong river. Some rivers are small, some large, some shallow, and some deep. This is like the flow of aloha in our lives. The better we get at practicing aloha, the deeper and stronger this river flows. People can feel the aloha spirit from just being around us.
Others have a harder time with the flow of love. Perhaps they suffered a deep trauma that makes it difficult to navigate the flow. Perhaps they experienced a grief, violence, or abuse that sucked them nearly dry.
Life is full of difficulties, but know this… there will always be a flow within you. Even if you feel that all love and light has dried out of you, it isn’t so. God created us with an abundance of love, and, because he loves us, we can reach out to him to quench any of our needs, especially that of love.
No matter how small or large your flow of love, there will always be difficulties and challenges placed in your way. I think of limiting self beliefs, negative thoughts, feelings of worthlessness, and hopelessness as the pieces that make a dam.
A dam cuts off the flow, and, because we all experience heartache in life, we all have things we need to work to remove out of our thoughts and beliefs.
Self limiting beliefs block the flow
When I was a young adult, I recognized that I had this self limiting belief: “I can’t be truly happy because if I am, then something bad will happen.” I didn’t allow myself to be happy because I feared what would come next.
It always seemed like if I did experience some kind of joy, I had to shut it down quickly—stuff it inside—so that if someone said something rude or negative, or a bad event happened next, I’d know that I’d already stuffed the happiness down and I hadn’t really deserved it.
Or that it hadn’t actually been a true feeling.
This belief came from years of neglect, abuse, and manipulation. I would rejoice in other people’s successes, but I never felt secure or happy in my own.
When I recognized this belief, it took a long time to remove this block that had such a huge role in creating a dam to the flow of love. I would give love, but never truly receive it from others.
This is not aloha. Aloha flows between all things.
Let it flow. 🙂
Work to remove the blocks of self-limiting beliefs, negativity, selfishness, worthlessness, and hopelessness.
Here are some additional ways to help you do this, and more fully implement the value of aloha in your life.
Love and trust God first
God, the father of our spirits, is love. He is the God who can give you the love you need. Through his son, Jesus Christ, we can experience unlimited joy in this life. I’m so grateful for their support in my life—in fact, I don’t know where I’d be without knowing there is a God and a Savior for me. Trust that God loves and knows you, because he does.
Learn compassion
“Charity is the pure love of Christ.” Aloha is basically charity: withholding judgment and loving unconditionally.
It’s so easy to judge others.
I read a book, which I highly recommend, called “Judgment Detox,” (that’s an affiliate link, meaning if you click through and buy it, I receive a commission at no extra cost to you!) and it helped me recognize how often I judge people.
Don’t misunderstand me here… we need to judge situations and things for safety and responsible reasons, but how often do we find ourselves judging people for petty things, like lifestyle choices, things they say, or things they post on social media?
We all are different, and we all have a contribution to make.
Instead of judging, have compassion and grace for others. Try to truly understand what they’re saying when they talk to you. “Pa’a ka waha” and “lokahi” teach us how to strengthen our relationships and listen with love to others. This encourages the constant flow of aloha in our lives.
Have aloha for yourself too
For many of us, it’s easy to love and rejoice for and with others, and yet, we rarely rejoice in our own successes. Instead, we criticize and judge ourselves for not doing or being enough. Withholding love for ourselves is the very act of creating blocks to our flow of love. It’s like we’re building our own dams by withholding love for ourselves. We can’t have a continuous flow for others if we withhold love from ourselves.
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Have hope
The spirit of aloha may sometimes feel like a thing of the past, but it isn’t. You can create paradise right where you are by living the value of aloha. If you’ve been hurt in the past, it can feel difficult at first to allow the flow of aloha to run its course in your life. But know that there is hope. There is always hope. 🙂
I hope you will be able to live the spirit of aloha in your home and life. And remember, if you don’t think you can even feel love right now, reach up to a loving Heavenly Father. He will gently remind you of how loved, valued, and beautiful you are. When you reach up to him and do your part, your river flow of aloha will become strong and deep.
Follow my 3 steps to have mercy for people (because we’re all not perfect)
There are 3 things that go through my head when I feel annoyed, impatient, or angry at someone. These 3 keys help me have ALOHA for others all the time.
Every person is a child of God. We learned this in ‘ohana. We are all God’s children so deserve to be treated that way.
Every person has pain, challenges, trials, and heartaches.
People deal with their problems the best way they know how. Sometimes a person hasn’t experienced much. Maybe they’re not as mature as you are, and so they just don’t understand. I’ve come to realize that people usually do the best they can with the knowledge and experience they have.
I hope these tips will inspire you to live more aloha. It is truly possible!
With joy and aloha,
Lei
Your turn!
How do you live aloha? Let us know in the comments below!
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My dear friend and fellow blogger, Kara Paul, author of Roaming Near and Far, wrote this delightful travel article. I know you’ll enjoy her work as much as I have, and the helpful details + insights she provides! Please enjoy the beautiful Lili’uokalani Gardens as Kara tells us all about it! All photos were taken and provided by Kara.
If you want to get a real flavor of life on the Big Island, one of the places you have to visit is Lili‘uokalani Gardens in Hilo. At 24.67 acres, it is the largest authentic Japanese ornamental garden outside of the country of Japan. This is a local park that is heavily frequented by local residents and children, as well as often visited, at least briefly, by tourists.
Lili‘uokalani Gardens is in many ways akin to the heart of Hilo. It’s a picturesque gathering place with beautiful gazebos, stone sculptures, torii bridges, stone bridges, and banyan trees. Located by the ocean and near to Mokualoa (“Coconut Island”), it’s the perfect backdrop for pictures, picnics, exercise, and exploration. Don’t be surprised to see the occasional wedding or a wedding couple taking pictures before heading to their reception at one of the local hotels. The park is a place for sunshine, the smell of the ocean, and fresh air–provided it isn’t flooded due to the torrential rains that sometimes pass through Hilo!
Getting to the Park + Parking
Getting to Lili‘uokalani Gardens isn’t very hard and best of all, is a free local attraction open year-round. The official Google address is 189 Lihiwai St #151, Hilo, HI 96720. The Park is located along the famous Banyon Drive of Hilo and is also ADA accessible. Occasionally, the park closes for maintenance or fire ant abatement.
You can walk from any of the hotels along Banyan Drive, or take a car to get there. There also is a limited bus schedule. Recently, before I moved away, Hilo started a bikeshare program, which has a bike station at the park as well as some downtown Hilo locations. By using a credit card, you can easily rent a bike to get from Downtown Hilo to Lili‘uokalani Gardens and vice versa.
Unless there is a special event, large wedding, or a huge Pokemon Go event, there should be ample street parking, as well as parking stalls next to the gardens, and a small parking lot on the makai (ocean) side of the park. Hilo weather changes all the time, so consider bringing an umbrella!
Time
The nice thing about this park is you really can spend as much time as you want here. Some people walk their dogs at the park, while others relax for hours, reading a book or catching up with old friends. Due to its proximity to Mokualoa (the “island of life” usually called “Coconut Island” by locals), many people walk over a long bridge to Coconut Island. At Coconut Island, families like to have parties, play on the beach, or jump off the diving tour. Interestingly, Mokuola once had a temple dedicated to healing.
Throughout my time in college and life in Hilo, I enjoyed going to the park to hang out with friends and spend time with my then-boyfriend (now husband). I’ve even attended a couple of weddings there–including that of my brother- and sister-in-law!
I have so many happy and sad memories attached to that place….pleasant memories of laughs and good times, and bittersweet memories of times spent with some people I really cared about who are no longer my friends. It provided a place to relax and recharge when I felt stressed or depressed. It also became a place to enjoy when I wanted to take pictures or hang out with a good friend.
Lili‘uokalani Gardens really can be anything and everything for you.
Amenities
Lili‘uokalani Gardens is conveniently located by Suisan Fish Market. If you’re craving a poke bowl or want to buy fresh seafood, walk a few blocks to the fish market. The garden also sits by Hilo Bay Cafe, a restaurant overlooking Hilo Bay known for its “contemporary, locally-inspired dishes” and more.
A hop and a skip away is the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel, which has Wai’oli Lounge and the Queen’s Court. The Naniloa Hotel, which has Hula Hulas Restaurant, also sits a few blocks away.
There’s a popsicle place in the park (once a coworker shared their popsicles), and the nearby Banyan Mini Mart. Finally, there are men’s and women’s restrooms at Lili‘uokalani Gardens, but don’t expect much from a park bathroom.
As with any new place you visit, exercise caution and be aware of your surroundings.
The History
The park has been around for over 100 years.
Queen Lili‘uokalani donated five acres of land along Waihonu, a five-acre traditional fish pond, for a public park in 1907. Ten years later, the Committee on Public Lands and Internal Improvements made the designated area 17 acres. The park was dedicated in 1917 as a tribute to the first Japanese immigrants of Hawai‘i, who had come in 1868 to work in the sugar cane industry. The park’s ground was broken in November 1917, which was the same month the beloved Queen Lili‘uokalani died. The park, named in her honor, opened in 1919.
Many women were instrumental in helping ensure the park became the beautiful place that it is today. One woman, Laura Kennedy, the wife of the president of the Hilo Board of Trade, went on a business trip to Japan. She wanted the park in Hilo to reflect the impressive landscaping at Kinkakuji Temple in Kyoto. Hence she and her husband donated time, resources, and money to bring her vision to fruition.
Other Events
The park has weathered two tsunamis, both the year before it opened, and four years after it opened. It also has a traditional teahouse named Shoroan (Pine Ocean Breeze), built in 1972. However, you can see it from the outside (unless one day you somehow get invited to a tea ceremony there). Arsonists destroyed the tea house in 1994, so the community later rebuilt it. Over the years, additional changes increased the park’s size to what it is today.
If you visit at the right time, be sure to catch a hula festival at the park sometime near Queen Liliuokalani’s birthday, September 2nd.
Although I no longer live in Hilo, Lili‘uokalani Gardens will always have a special place in my heart due to how many memories I’ve had there, and the mesmerizing moments of beauty, whether the sun peeking through the banyan trees casting beautiful shadows, or seeing Downtown Hilo twinkling a warm welcome at night. Don’t miss finding your Lili‘uokalani moment in Hilo, Hawai‘i.
About the Author
Kara Paul was born and raised on the Big Island of Hawaii, but recently relocated to Montana with her husband. She is the author of the blog Roaming Near and Far. You can find her on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest. Kara seeks to inspire women and couples to find adventures and to travel despite fears and anxiety.
Punalu’u Black Sand Beach is one of the Big Island’s greatest gems. It has frequent sea turtles resting along its shores, which is a sight to see! With the beautiful black sand, sparkling blue water, and tons of picture-taking opportunities, you don’t want to miss out on this beach. Located on the southern coast of the Big Island, the Punalu’u Black Sand beach has a place to swim, relax, and enjoy the honu (the sea turtles!).
Getting to the Punalu’u Black Sand Beach + Parking
Both Google and Apple maps will take you straight there. There is a small parking lot with no fees or charges. If the lot is full, you can park on the street outside the lot.
Time
You can stay here as long as you like! Some people stay here for about 20 minutes to walk along the lava rocks and/or the black sand to see the turtles. Some people stay here a whole day! It’s really up to you.
Amenities
There is a place to rinse off and a public bathroom, but don’t use any chemicals or shampoo, as the runoff from the showers goes into the ocean and the chemicals can harm the turtles who frequent the area.
There are no food trucks or places around here. I’ve seen a little pop-up stand, so there might be locals who sell things there occasionally, but the last couple times I went it was empty. So don’t rely on food places at this beach and make sure to bring water. The closest town is Na’alehu, which has Punalu’u Bakery (you should definitely stop here!), a farmer’s market, and some other small gas stations and stores.
I love Punalu’u Black Sand beach because of the turtles and the unique black sand. You definitely don’t want to miss out on this beach! I hope you enjoy!
Here are the best Big Island beaches of Hawaii! If you’ve never been or are planning your big trip, these are some iconic spots you’ll want to keep in mind. Growing up on the Big Island, I loved the variety of the beaches… whether you’re in the mood to just relax on a white sand beach, be adventurous and hike to a green sand beach, or see the sea turtles at the black sand beach, there was always something fun to do. So be prepared to find black, green, and white sand on the Big Island of Hawaii! Here are the best Big Island beaches to visit, and there’s something for everyone!
Papakolea Green Sand Beach
This is an adventurous endeavor, as you have to hike about 3 miles to see the green sand beach. Why is the Green sand beach green? The sand is made from the olivine crystals that formed from lava. The beach is actually the inside of an eroded volcanic crater and the eroded cliffs continue to produce thousands of olivine crystals, giving the beach its famous name and look.
The Green Sand beach is a great place to relax (especially after a long hike) but be aware that the shade is limited and the waters can be rough. Bring lots of water and sunscreen.
Punalu’u Black Sand Beach
This is a great place to relax and enjoy the honu (sea turtles) resting on the beach. If you walk around the lava rocks, you might even see the sea turtles feeding on the algae.
Hilo Coast
Hilo isn’t known for having the world’s best beaches, but the Hilo coast has its own uniqueness. I won’t spoil the secret spots, but there are quite a few beaches/coasts here that have sea turtles constantly hanging around. Be sure to check out some of the parks and beaches along the Hilo coast, because you’ll be sure to find turtles!
Hapuna Beach
One of the most relaxing and beautiful of the best Big Island beaches is Hapuna Beach. This beach features the iconic white sand, blue waters of the Hawaiian islands. Hapuna beach costs $5 for non-residents and parking is limited so get there early. This beach has a lifeguard and is perfect for relaxing and spending the day. There is a food place located on site but the prices are high due to being the only place around. Bring lots of water and your own food + snacks for a fun day on the beach!
Mauna Kea Beach
Located near Hapuna beach, Mauna Kea Beach also features white sand and clear blue waters. It’s the perfect romantic getaway. The parking here is very limited so be sure to arrive early!
Shipman Beach (secret gem)
This is for the adventurous soul, as Shipman beach is a hike that takes you through a jungled area. It’s a few miles long, but the seclusion of the area is so worth it. As you enjoy your time on the secret beach, you’ll see turtles and monk seal frequenting the area. Bring your own food and water, and be sure to take out what you bring in. A pro tip is to rinse off in the fresh water to get the salt water off before hiking back.
Kahaluu Beach Park (snorkeling)
Located in Kona, Kahaluu Beach Park is perfect for snorkeling! It’s full of colorful fish and reef, and has picnic tables and benches to share a meal. This is a great spot for the whole family.
I hope you enjoy your adventures on the Big Island, and especially take the time to relax at the beach. These beaches all have their own personalities and characteristics, and I hope you’ll plan some of them into your itinerary! 😀
E komo mai! 🌺 I am the author of Aloha State of Mind, a self help book that teaches you how to create paradise wherever you are. My blog, Naturally Aloha, focuses on all things Hawaii: culture, values, food, lifestyle, and more. I hope my writing inspires you to carry aloha with you everywhere! Learn more…
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