The video explores the profound cultural significance of "aloha" as a central aspect of Hawaiian identity and how it enriches the lives of people, especially Hawaiians living off the islands. Aloha is more than a greeting; it embodies a way of life that is deeply entrenched in Hawaiian heritage, influencing personal identity, remembrance, and cultural expression. The conversation highlights the struggles many face, including high living costs in Hawaii, which have led to a significant number of native Hawaiians moving away.

A central theme is the emotional connection and longing Hawaiians feel towards their homeland, as experienced by those who had to relocate due to economic pressures. Individuals share how the concept of aloha remains a pivotal part of their identity, providing comfort and maintaining ties to their roots, even when they are far from the islands. This connection is symbolized through cultural practices such as making leis, which serve as a conduit to heritage and memory.

Main takeaways from the video:

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The concept of aloha is integral to Hawaiian culture, serving as a foundation for personal identity and cultural continuity.
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Economic factors have forced many Hawaiians to move to the mainland, leading to challenges in maintaining cultural ties.
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Despite being part of the diaspora, Hawaiians hold onto their identity and heritage through cultural expressions and the enduring spirit of aloha.
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Key Vocabularies and Common Phrases:

1. kanaka [ˈkænəkə] - (noun) - A term used to refer to native Hawaiians or people of Hawaiian ancestry. - Synonyms: (Native Hawaiian, islander, indigenous Hawaiian)

Especially if you are kanaka, if you're Hawaii, you have this generational knowledge of aloha.

2. diaspora [daɪˈæspərə] - (noun) - The dispersion of any people from their original homeland. - Synonyms: (dispersion, migration, exodus)

I only started learning about the diaspora, like, I don't know, 2017.

3. generational [ˌdʒɛnəˈreɪʃənəl] - (adjective) - Related to a series of people descending from a common ancestor. - Synonyms: (inherited, ancestral, long-standing)

Especially if you are kanaka, if you're Hawaii, you have this generational knowledge of aloh

4. halau [həˈlaʊ] - (noun) - A school or group where the Hawaiian art forms, such as hula, are taught. - Synonyms: (school, academy, troupe)

I was in halau, so everything that was surrounding my life was Hawaiian.

5. affordability [əˌfɔrdəˈbɪlɪti] - (noun) - The extent to which something is affordable, cost-effective. - Synonyms: (cost-effectiveness, reasonableness, accessibility)

When I started to make that trek to go home, I realized it is not affordable.

6. generational Trauma [ˌdʒɛnəˈreɪʃənəl ˈtrɔmə] - (noun) - Psychological and emotional effects of trauma experienced by earlier generations and continuing to affect the current generation. - Synonyms: (intergenerational trauma, transgenerational anguish, ancestral suffering)

But if we're looking at the generational trauma that has. No.

7. mainland [ˈmeɪnˌlænd] - (noun) - The principal landmass of a country or continent, as opposed to offshore islands. - Synonyms: (continent, continental, interior lands)

Have to go move into the mainland or move into the continent.

8. ancestral homeland [ænˈsɛstrəl ˈhoʊmlænd] - (noun) - The original lands where one's ancestors lived. - Synonyms: (native land, origin territory, primal land)

The native Hawaiian population continues moving away from ancestral homeland.

9. price out [praɪs aʊt] - (verb) - To drive someone out of a market or location due to high costs. - Synonyms: (outprice, outspend, financially displace)

That's that price out of paradise part.

10. conduit [ˈkɒndjuɪt] - (noun) - A means by which something is transmitted or channeled. - Synonyms: (channel, medium, passage)

Like this Lei can take me home. I can be back in Hawaii in that moment of making lei.

How aloha connects Native Hawaiians living away from their homeland - Dear Aloha - PBS

What does aloha mean to me? Well, for me, when I think of aloha, it's your being. It's who you are. Aloha is embedded in your breath, in what you do. Especially if you are kanaka, if you're Hawaii, you have this generational knowledge of aloh. Aloha sustains Hawaiians by reminding us who we are. Wake up in the morning skies are blue Warmth of the sunrise in embraces you locals everywhere love to share the feelings of love called aloha.

I'm proud to be Hawaiian, there's no question about that. When I first moved up here and told people I'm from Hawaii, they'll say, like, what did you move up here for? The whole reason is the cost of living in Hawaii was too expensive. How hard was it to make a living in Hawaii? Oh, very difficult. You know, working, like I said, two to three jobs and making ends meet was not our way of surviving and raising a family.

Growing up in Hawaii was very different for me, just because I grew up in a very Hawaiian household. And when I say Hawaiian household, I mean, we spoke ole Hawaii. I was in halau, so everything that was surrounding my life was Hawaiian. I left Hawaii to go to school to pursue higher education, and I haven't returned home yet. About 2008, I wanted to go home. When I started to make that trek to go home, I realized it is not affordable.

I only started learning about the diaspora, like, I don't know, 2017. And it's funny because the generations above me have no idea. When I talk to them about that, they're like, who is this diaspora? Who's auntie that? I'm like, that's not an auntie. Okay. So even my mom, you know, my mom, we were talking about it, she's like, what is diaspora? I was like, mom, that's us. We live away from our homeland. No matter where we go.

When you make a lei, the story is still there. Because when I make a lei, I don't just think about being here in Oregon. I can envision where I've made lei before. Like this Lei can take me home. I can be back in Hawaii in that moment of making lei.

I did notice that you were sad when we moved up here. You would just, like, sit in your car and listen to music, Hawaiian music, and play the same songs over and over again. Yeah. And you were sad. I don't want my kids to have to not be able to live in this land. Have to go move into the mainland or move into the continent.

Hawaii is beautiful. Yes, but people come to Hawaii because of the people, and they feel at home here because of the people. So if we continue on this track that we've been, then our people will no longer be here. The native Hawaiian population continues moving away from ancestral homeland. According to the U.S. census Bureau's release Thursday.

Some of the top reasons for leaving include high cost of living, employment opportunities, and lack of affordable housing. We have a crisis right now, a very real crisis for the many local families unable to make ends meet in Hawaii. I say, I made a choice to live here. I decided to move to Oregon. But if we're looking at the generational trauma that has. No. This choice for me to be here was made for me many, many decades ago.

This is our land. This is our way of life. We not gonna live on our streets. We don't house. Yes. At least give us a piece of land when you're in that position that you're about to lose your home and tomorrow your kids don't have a place to sleep, where can you go? And that's that price out of paradise part. That's the fear. Money is power.

Those who live in the diaspora now and why they're so hurt, especially for our kanaka on the continent is because they're reminded constantly that they don't give back to Hawaii. They're reminded constantly that they had to move away and maybe they made a better life for themselves. But you were never there for Hawaii. Aloha for the diaspora is a reminder to them that they belong. I think that's what aloha is for them.

Hi. Was it hard to make the decision to move? It was, and it was my idea, and Eric was very supportive of it. I know he didn't want to move. You know, we try to get out, and it's that sacrifice, I think, that parents make, you know, a better life for your children.

Hawaii is in Eric's heart. Isn't that true? You always have Hawaii in your heart. Yep. Yeah. It's always thinking about. I have it in my blood, too. I know you do.

Today, our new generation is growing up unapologetically Hawaiian. I think aloha for our people in the diaspora is. That's their connection that they're holding onto. I think aloha is what keeps them Hawaiian. It's not about what you show on the outside, it's what you feel on the inside. Exactly. Oh, wow. We talk in the same language now. Me too.

Hawaiian to the song of old and loose so sit back, relax and just dang loose Onto my island tree so sit back, relax and just dang loose.

HAWAII, CULTURE, DIASPORA, HOME, CULTURAL IDENTITY, ECONOMIC CHALLENGES, PBS