INSPIRATION

Born and raised in Hawai'i, I was surrounded by aloha without always realizing it.  There was an underlying spirit that made people say hello as they passed on the street, that often meant a kiss on the cheek as they greeted each other, and that created families, ohana, out of communities.  It's all I knew.  Aloha is widely known to be used as a greeting and a farewell, but means so much more.  It means love.  Reverence.  Respect.  Honor.  Care.  Compassion.  Community.   There are actually many meanings of the word, but the spirit of Aloha is truly a way of life.

In the fall of 2016 it was made very clear to me that not everyone in the world was raised with Aloha.  I had never thought about it that way, but really, it made sense.  I saw a lack of respect start to grow between communities.  I saw a cultural turn toward anger and fear.  I had always begun and ended the day with the mantra "Only light.  Only love.", but once I had this realization, my mantra needed to be more-encompassing...  "Only Aloha"

ONLY ALOHA incorporates photography, to tell a deeper story.  The logo features a grove of hala trees.  The hala  have been known to represent past and future, ancestors and offspring, with its roots and fronds equally important.  

I felt like it was fitting.  

My hope is that this project helps remind us all to live, and share aloha, as much as we can, especially now.    

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- Maya Pueo