A recent article on CNBC's website listed Honolulu and Pearl City in the top ten happiest cities in the United States. The reasons cited included factors such as health status, employment, etc. But, reflecting on my own community, Pearl City, I believe a community's happiness is more related to the values of its people.
In 1986, the State of Hawaii formalized its values in state statutes:
"Aloha Spirit" is the coordination of mind and heart within each person. It brings each person to the self. Each person must think and emote good feelings to others. In the contemplation and presence of the life force, "Aloha", the following unuhi laula loa may be used:
"Akahai", meaning kindness to be expressed with tenderness;
"Lokahi", meaning unity, to be expressed with harmony;
"Oluolu", meaning agreeable, to be expressed with pleasantness;
"Haahaa", meaning humility, to be expressed with modesty;
"Ahonui", meaning patience, to be expressed with perseverance.
"These are traits of character that express the charm, warmth and sincerity of Hawaii's people. It was the working philosophy of native Hawaiians and was presented as a gift to the people of Hawaii. "Aloha" is more than a word of greeting or farewell or a salutation. "Aloha" means mutual regard and affection and extends warmth in caring with no obligation in return. "Aloha" is the essence of relationships in which each person is important to every other person for collective existence. "Aloha" means to hear what is not said, to see what cannot be seen and to know the unknowable."
I believe these values are well embraced in our community and bear a stronger relationship with our happiness than most other variables.
photo: Pearl Harbor from Pearl City bicycle trail.
(c) bruce behnke