Mahalo Ve: One Love, One Gratitude: Meaning, Origins & Cultural Spirit

Mahalo is a famous Hawaiian word that means “thank you” or to express gratitude. This is one of the common greetings, rather like aloha, used in everyday life in the Hawaiian culture. People usually say this after a kind gesture or a positive experience, such as receiving a gift or being served with a wonderful meal.

Although the word is used more in normal, daily scenarios, mahalo has a far deeper meaning to the people of Hawaii. Mahalo means to live in thankfulness for the abundant blessings of life. Visitors who come to Hawaiʻi will discover how this quality distinguishes not only the Hawaiians, but all Polynesians, from the rest of the world.

Observing the Polynesian Culture Up Close

Having the opportunity to work at the Polynesian Cultural Center in fulfillment of my iWork program at Brigham Young University-Hawaii helped me to get a closer glimpse of this admirable quality of the Polynesian culture. The Center, located in the magnificent town of Lāʻie on the North Shore of Oʻahu, is in itself a picturesque community worthy of mahalo. This is a common characteristic of the Polynesian islands, and I’d like to think that it stems from an outpouring of gratitude for the bounteous resources they have been given. As guests come to visit, they will be shown this spirit of mahalo through the Center’s cultural village experience with representations showcasing the distinct cultures of seven Polynesian cultures, namely Hawaiʻi, Aotearoa (New Zealand), Fiji, Tonga, Tahiti, and Samoa. They will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the fiber of Polynesians' love for nature and culture with hands-on cultural activities, cultural demonstrations, music, and dance.

A Story of Family Devotion

One of the highlights of the experience at the Center takes place in the evening, with our evening show HĀ: The Breath of Life. In this spectacular presentation, visitors are entertained with Polynesian cultural dances, music, and stories with family as the overarching theme. As the Center describes it, HĀ is a Pacific Isle saga of birth and death, love and family, tragedy and triumph. The amphitheater, which seats almost 3,000, brings the show to a whole new level, including brilliant special effects and an amazing multilevel stage!

As an employee at the Polynesian Cultural Center, I have been able to witness a lot of people who have felt a deeper appreciation for family and experienced a greater sense of gratitude for life after viewing the show. We feel joy as families exit the Center holding hands and cherishing their precious moment together.

Truly, "Mahalo-ve" (One Love, One Gratitude) is evident throughout the Polynesian culture and is what makes us a distinct community from the rest of the world. There is no wonder why people love being around Polynesian people – they are so loving and filled with thankfulness in their hearts. I feel grateful for having the opportunity to witness that one love, one gratitude every single day as I fulfill my education in the university and as I carry out my duties at the Center.