10 Hawaiian Sayings for a Happier Life

Enjoy these Hawaiian sayings that capture the spirit of aloha and these beautiful photos from the island of Molokai.

Hawaii is world-renowned for its beautiful landscapes and shorelines. But what keeps me coming back to the islands is the aloha culture. For Hawaiians, aloha is not just a way to say hello and goodbye; it’s a lifestyle of love, compassion and recognition. “Ha,” like in many languages, signifies the breath of life. When you greet someone with aloha or you interact with someone with an aloha spirit, it’s about recognizing a person’s humanity and their significance in creation. I think of it as like saying, “I recognize God in you.” With that in mind, your interactions with others can be more kind, more considerate and more loving, improving your day and perhaps even someone else’s.

Enjoy these 10 Hawaiian sayings translated into English that capture the spirit of aloha and these beautiful photos from the island of Molokai.

Brooke Obie visited Molokai, Hawaii courtesy of the Destination Molokai Visitors Bureau.  

A humble person walks carefully so as not to hurt others. Ku’ia kahele aka na’au ha’aha’a

1 of 10 A humble person walks carefully so as not to hurt others.

Ku’ia kahele aka na’au ha’aha’a

—Hawaiian saying


Make every person, place or condition better than you left it always.

2 of 10 Make every person, place or condition better than you left it always.

E hele me ka pu’olo

—Hawaiian saying

No cliff is so tall it cannot be climbed. ‘A’ohe pu’u ki’eki’e ke ho’a’o ‘ia e pi’i

3 of 10 No cliff is so tall it cannot be climbed.

‘A’ohe pu’u ki’eki’e ke ho’a’o ‘ia e pi’i

—Hawaiian saying


Love is like a cleansing dew. He kehau ho`oma`ema`e ke aloha

4 of 10 Love is like a cleansing dew.

He kehau ho`oma`ema`e ke aloha

—Hawaiian saying


Dare to dance, leave shame at home. A’a i ka hula, waiho i ka maka’u i ka hale

5 of 10 Dare to dance, leave shame at home.

A’a i ka hula, waiho i ka maka’u i ka hale

—Hawaiian saying


No kind deed has ever lacked its reward. `A`ohe lokomaika`i i nele i ke pâna`i

6 of 10 No kind deed has ever lacked its reward.

`A`ohe lokomaika`i i nele i ke pâna`i

—Hawaiian saying


Joy is in the voice of love. He ‘olina leo ka ke aloha

7 of 10 Joy is in the voice of love.

He ‘olina leo ka ke aloha

—Hawaiian saying

There is life in a kindly reply. Ua ola no i ka pane a ke aloha

8 of 10 There is life in a kindly reply.

Ua ola no i ka pane a ke aloha

—Hawaiian saying


Love gives life within. Ua ola loko i ke aloha

9 of 10 Love gives life within.

Ua ola loko i ke aloha

—Hawaiian saying


Love all you see, including yourself. Kahuna nui hale kealohalani makua

10 of 10 Love all you see, including yourself.

Kahuna nui hale kealohalani makua

—Hale Makua

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