‘Ohana

‘Ohana an Hawaiian word; it means family. But not in the very strict sense of the term (i.e. blood-related) as we in the Western world refer to family. In Hawaiian culture ‘Ohana means a lot more: they use ‘Ohana to describe a feeling of togetherness. Individuals being bound together by feelings of respect, care and cooperation.

I was introduced to the term in 2001 when I visited Hawaii and completely forgot about the word. Recently rediscovered the word while I was looking at photos from that trip. And I realized that ‘Ohana is the best way to describe the way I feel about people dear to me.

I am very grateful to have found my ‘Ohana: supportive, patient, sometimes confronting but always givin’ me that feeling that nobody gets left behind.