May 2, 2023 · “I chose the word ʻāina because the earth is incredibly important to the Hawaiian people. Land is something that is sacred and brings the community together to bond over, and is a major part of the Hawaiian religion and way of life.” — Sophia Mastroleo, Early College Student, Hawaiian 101, Hawaiʻi Community College. Our Mana i Mauli Ola Strategic Plan recognizes the connection that Native Hawaiians have to the ʻāina as a foundational strength. To our kūpuna, the land was life. Imbued with mana, our ʻāina provides everything we need to survive. ‘Āina means land in Hawaiian, but it's more than that. Discover the deeper meaning of ‘āina and why it's so important in Hawaii. Jan 1, 2026 · Ancient Hawaiians understood how to create balance and harmony between people and the earth—wisdom passed down through the concept of aloha ʻāina. For ancient and modern Hawaiians, the land has never been viewed as a resource to exploit. May 29, 2025 · For native Hawaiians, land isn’t just something to use or take from—it’s a sacred, living ancestor and source of life that deserves care and protection. There’s an amazing sense of harmony in people who live by aloha ʻāina. They believe that when you care for the land, it cares for you in return. 'Āina refers to the land, encompassing not only the physical earth but also the resources, ecosystems, and cultural significance tied to it. This concept is deeply rooted in Hawaiian identity, emphasizing the connection between people and their environment. Aloha ʻĀina, which means "love of the land", [1] is a central idea of Native Hawaiian thought, cosmology and culture. Aloha ʻāina brings a perspective that pervades many aspects of life. Its ecological and cultural orientations are founded upon a sense of being connected to all living things. Aloha for the 'aina was expressed by attitudes of respect, returning gifts to the land, beautifying it, and using it properly (not greedily). More

than anything else land, and all that was associated with it, gave a sense of identity to Hawaiians. 1. n., The portion or quantity of food taken to satisfy the appetite; the substance of a repast; a meal. 2. n., That which is thrown away during or after eating; the refuse or discarded portion of a meal. 3. n., Anything refused or discarded as worthless; refuse; rubbish; trash: aina ko, cane trash. Papa helu loli ｜ Wehewehe Wikiwiki update log Mar 18, 2025 · Aina is a feminine name with Scandinavian roots and means ‘forever.’ It may have multiple origins and meanings including ‘mirror,’ in Bengali and Hindi.