
born in hawai'i
made for the world
At a time when the world could use some extra love, a collaborative project is born, with the hopes of reminding us all to live and share aloha.
ONLY ALOHA by Ink & Tailor
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.
- Maya Pueo