Mahalo for joining us in lokahi for Maui

 Last month, we shared an acronym relating to the meaning of aloha. Each of these words are values that make aloha possible–they are at the root of the aloha you have in your heart for Maui.

          Akahai – kindness expressed with tenderness

          Lokahi – unity

          Oluolu

          Ha‘aha‘a

          Ahonui

We started with akahai, and today, I want to share the meaning of lokahi, which means ‘unity.’ It is something we felt when you and thousands of others from around the world chose to support Maui after the wildfires.

We also saw a powerful expression of unity at the Lele Aloha Hoʻūlu Lahaina Unity March on Maui on January 20, 2024, when the people of Maui came together to love and support Lahaina and the healing and recovery of those affected by the fires.

Archie Kalepa, a Lahaina community leader and the founder of Lele Aloha, a Maui Strong Fund partner that organized the march, addressed the 4,000 plus attendees with an inspiring message:

“What is required of us now? In the aftermath, to continue to walk forward, there are many answers that we do not have today. But I know this deep in my na‘au: we will not get there alone. We need the kind of strength and the kind of power that we can only find in one another. In unity.”

Here are some scenes from the Lele Aloha Hoʻūlu Lahaina Unity March.

Mahalo for recognizing the needs in Maui and for your kindness and generosity to support the healing, recovery, and resilience of our community. Mahalo for joining us in lokahi.

Me ke aloha (with aloha),