Writing The Paradise Table inspired Author Maryann Ridini Spencer to create events working with prominent charities to assist individuals and families in need. In Spencer’s novel, the lead character, Kate Grace, forms a group with her close circle of friends to help spread ALOHA to their island community — whether it be a private dinner, a gala event, a garden fundraiser — Kate and her “Nā Pīkake” sisters are all in to help their ohana. Their joy for giving thanks and giving back creates smiles on many faces and demonstrates their love and commitment to one of God’s commandments to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18), and which Jesus exclaims, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. And the second is like to this: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments dependeth the whole law and the prophets.” (Matthew 22: 35-40).
In my Kate Grace Novel series, and in my other books, I write about themes everyone can resonate with, including navigating romance and interpersonal relationships, healing from loss, finding purpose, discerning God’s will in our lives, grace in forgiveness, and other facets facing the human condition. The themes I write also incorporate ALOHA. Aloha, the beautiful word that rolls off the tongue, is the Hawaiian word used when you greet a person with “hello” or bid farewell. Aloha also means with love and affection, and its meaning extends to an attitude or way of living.
You’ve probably heard the terms “The Spirit of Aloha” or “The Way of Aloha” — the way of interacting with the natural world and all those living there. Living “in the spirit” or “the way” of Aloha is living by a specific code of ethics, including, but not limited to, love, kindness, tolerance, compassion, respect, and honor of all humanity and living things. Living “the way” also includes the thoughtful and deliberate preservation of the earth and its precious resources, the joyful sharing of oneself with others, the act of being committed to the caring and the sustainability of one’s community and the planet, and “conscious manifestation” to live life joyfully in the present. The list of meanings goes on, but clearly, Aloha means so much more than “hello” or “goodbye.”
The Aloha Spirit Law is an existing law “on the books” in Hawai’i. It acknowledges that The Aloha Spirit was the working philosophy of native Hawaiians and was presented as a gift to the people of Hawai’i.”
All citizens and government officials of Hawai’i are obligated by law to conduct themselves according to this law while performing their duties and obligations and living their day-to-day lives.
I interpret “Living Aloha” as living the way God wants us to live, and I feel it is my mission, my joy, and my privilege to be able to write these themes, whether the backdrop is modern-day Hawaii or another place and time in the world.
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