Hawaiian Customs: Blessing the Grand Opening of Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers Kailua-Kona Office

A Hawaiian custom of blessing an office or home when someone moves in is a tradition in the islands that honors those of the past, present, and future. The energy or “mana” (power within) left behind from the people who once held a place here, and even those before are honored and blessed, as they allow new energy to enter, dwell, and prosper.

Blessing the Hawaii Life Kona Office

The ceremony blessing the new Kona Office of Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers began with Kahu Dean making an offering to Akua (God) and those who have passed through this property before.

Draped over the front door was a thick strand of Maile Lei, which the owners of the company held together, as one of them unraveled the ribbon that held the lei together and released the lei so Kahu Dean could walk through and bless the offices. A very interesting custom that I hadn’t seen a Kahu do before was to stir his thoughts into the bowl of water before walking over the threshold.

Kahu Dean had a ceremonial wood bowl with water in it, ti leaves, and Hawaiian salt – he blended the salt in the water and stirred it with the ti leaves…pausing to put his intention into the water three times before blessing our new Kona office. Kahu spoke of “Aloha” and the presence of breath, or the transfer of breath, and each of us having a choice to exchange breath with each other, or not.

The Aloha Spirit Law

According to the Aloha Spirit Law, a Hawaii Revised Statute 5-7.5, we must conduct business in like-manner when living in the islands – this is a law that I live by and teach to my clients:

[§5-7.5] “Aloha Spirit”. (a) “Aloha Spirit” is the coordination of mind and heart within each person. It brings each person to the self. Each person must think and emote good feelings to others. In the contemplation and presence of the life force, “Aloha,” the following unuhi laula loa may be used:

• “Akahai” meaning kindness, to be expressed with tenderness
• “Lokahi” meaning unity, to be expressed with harmony
• “Oluolu” meaning agreeable, to be expressed with pleasantness
• “Haahaa” meaning humility, to be expressed with modesty
• “Ahonui” meaning patience, to be expressed with perseverance

These are traits of character that express the charm, warmth, and sincerity of Hawaii’s people. It was the working philosophy of native Hawaiians and was presented as a gift to the people of Hawaii.

“Aloha” is more than a word of greeting or farewell, or a salutation. “Aloha” means mutual regard and affection, and extends warmth in caring with no obligation in return. “Aloha” is the essence of relationships in which each person is important to every other person for collective existence. “Aloha” means to hear what is not said, to see what cannot be seen, and to know the unknowable.

(b) In exercising their power on behalf of the people and in fulfillment of their responsibilities, obligations, and service to the people, the legislature, governor, lieutenant governor, executive officers of each department, the chief justice, associate justices, and judges of the appellate, circuit, and district courts may contemplate and reside with the life force and give consideration to the “Aloha Spirit”. [L 1986, c 202, §1]

Because of this natural law, Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers invited all the Brokers on the island to come to our blessing as we understand that doing business successfully in the state of Hawaii has a lot to do with “who you know” and the quality of our relationships with others. Many of the Realtors are very close and volunteer for many projects together as friends.

Video of Tahitian Dancers Who Blessed the New Office

Here’s a video of the Tahitian dancers who blessed the new office with their dance, drums, and chanting, along with our friends – Fellow Realtors, escrow companies, mortgage lenders, home inspectors, clients, family, and many off-island guests of Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers.

Celebrating New Beginnings

Everyone had a great time as we served pupus and drinks after the blessing – a tradition to share aloha after a memorable event. DJ Rick played some great dance music after the Tahitian dancers, and we got to dance and sing our new office to success…it was dynamite!

Spending time with business friends and those who offered blessings to our new office was a great way to celebrate these new beginnings!

The best blessing is having friends and family who work and play well together, especially since we are “all in the same canoe!” Here I am with Jenni Lee and one of Hawaii Life’s awesome West Hawaii agents, Annie Mendoza – we had a great time socializing and hanging out, and everyone had fun celebrating our new beginnings!

If you’d like to learn more about Hawaiian customs, give me a call – I would be happy to orient you with Hawaii and the Big Island! Or come visit me at the new Hawaii Life Kona office soon! E komo mai – We welcome You!

Blessings and Aloha~

Claire K. Bajo, RS, SRES
Senior Real Estate Specialist, Intuitive Realtor
808-756-4874