Talk:Mahalo

This page should either be deleted or changed. It provides two inconsistent etymologies. The latter of which is almost certainly not true. The "they didn't have a word for gratitude" story (similar to the one told about the Japanese) is racist and stunningly stupid. Is it conceivable that an entire race of people would not have a word for one of the most basic human emotions? This needs to be changed immediately.

Just a dictionary definition?

Is this article going to be expanded by anyone soon or is it going to stay like it is, i.e. a dictionary definition and nothing more? If there's nothing more to say about this subject, we should consider deleting this article, since Wikipedia is not a dictionary. Just a thought. Jayden54 19:14, 28 November 2006 (UTC)

I've added the {{prod}} tag to the article, which means it'll be deleted in 5 days if no-one objects. Let me know (here or on my user talk) if you have any objections. Jayden54 11:28, 30 November 2006 (UTC)

I think Mahalo is one of those words that have additional meaning beyond a dictionary definition--like [aloha]. I will try and build it out. JasonCalacanis 17:49, 3 December 2006 (UTC)

Indeed, since as I understand it, it means 'May you be in Divine breath'...DannyBoy2k 12:54, 18 March 2007 (UTC)

I think Mahalo.com is a noteworthy new product that perhaps should be listed on this page, or be part of disambiguation on this page. Of course, I'm a very interested party (i.e. the founder and CEO!. 76.167.229.57 20:59, 3 June 2007 (UTC)

That's fine, as long as the Mahalo.com article doesn't get deleted for lack of notability. I've left a message explaining how to help strengthen the article at Talk:Mahalo.com. Jehochman ^Talk 22:59, 3 June 2007 (UTC)

Isn't "Mahalo" more of a concept than a simple translation to the English "Thank you"? For instance, I do not think Mahalo would be a word used to say thank you to someone you did not have a warm gratitude for. Conversly, in English we say Thank You to people whom we think are jerks. - Luck91, Mahalo :-)

Aloha & Mahalo

Expand this article:

Aloha & Mahalo[1]

Pronounced: ah loh' hah & mah hah' loh

If you learn just two words in Hawaiian, learn these. They are two of the most important words in the Hawaiian language, representing paramount Hawaiian values.

In Hawaiian thinking, words have mana [pronounced: mah' nah], meaning spiritual or divine power, and aloha and mahalo are among the most sacred and powerful.

Say them often as they can be life-transforming and -enhancing. Be careful to use them ONLY if you truly feel mahalo or aloha within. Do not exploit these words for personal gain, and neither cheapen, nor trivialize their use by verbalizing them carelessly or without sincerity.

Aloha and mahalo are ineffable, indescribable, and undefinable with words alone; to be understood, they must be experienced.

Deeper meaning and sacredness is hinted at by the root words of these words. Linguists differ in their opinions as to the exact meanings and origins, but this is what was told to me by my kupuna (elder):

On a spiritual level, aloha is an invocation of the Divine and mahalo is a Divine blessing. Both are acknowledgments of the Divinity that dwells within and without.

Aloha [Alo = presence, front, face] + [hâ = breath] "The presence of (Divine) Breath."

Mahalo [Ma = In] + [hâ = breath] + [alo = presence, front, face] "(May you be) in (Divine) Breath."

Think of them as single-word blessings or prayers.

The following are dictionary definitions using English words, which are approximate translations, at best:*

   Aloha. 1. Aloha, love, affection, compassion, mercy, sympathy, pity, kindness, sentiment, grace, charity; greeting, salutation, regards; sweetheart, lover, lover, loved one; beloved, loving, kind, compassionate, charitable, lovable; to love, be fond of; to show kindness, mercy, pity, charity, affection; to venerate; to remember with affection; to greet, to hail. Greetings! Hello! Good-by! Farewell! Alas! 

             o Aloha `oe!

               [ah loh' hah oe!]
               May you be loved or greeted!
               Farewell or greetings to one person. 

             o Aloha kâua!
               [ah loh' hah KAH'oo (w)ah!]
               May there be friendship or love between us!
               Greetings to you and me!

             o Aloha kâkou!
               [ah loh' hah KAH' kou!]
               same as above, but to more than one person. 

             o Ke aloha nô!
               [ah loh hah NOH']
               Aloha indeed! 

             o Aloha!

               [ Ah loh' hah!]
               Greetings!"

   "Mahalo. 1. Thanks, gratitude; to thank.

             o Mahalo nui loa
               .
               [mah hah' loh noo'(w)ee loh'(w)ah]
               Thanks very much.  

             o `Ôlelo mahalo
               [OH' leh loh mah hah' loh]
               compliment 

             o Mahalo â nui

               [mah hah' loh (W)AH' noo'(w)ee]
               Thanks very much. 

   2. Admiration, praise, esteem, regards, respects; to admire, praise, appreciate. 

             o `O wau nô me ka mahalo,
               [oh vau NOH' meh kah mah hah'loh]
               I am, [yours] respectfully,

             o Ka mea i mahalo `ia, Laki
               [kah meh'(y)ah ee mah hah'loh ee'(y)ah, lah' kee]
               The esteemed Laki."

• Source: Pukui, Mary Kawena & Elbert, Samuel H., HAWAIIAN DICTIONARY, University of Hawai`i Press, Honolulu, 1986.

One of the most frequently requested translations is:

Aloha au iâ `oe. [ah loh' hah vau' ee (Y)AH' oe] I love you.

Ke aloha nô me ka mahalo kâua! Aloha indeed with mahalo to you and me!

The Hawaiian Language: Ka `Ôlelo Hawai`i URL: http://hawaiianlanguage.com

It appears that this is a special word that does deserve an article, consisting of more than a definition. -96.233.24.142 (talk) 00:11, 26 April 2009 (UTC)