Aloha: A Love Letter to the Future Haumana at Dartmouth

by Hope Ushiroda-Garma[1] 

Aloha Future Hawaiian Haumana and fellow Native Haumana at Dartmouth,

      Aloha mai kākou, e nā haumāna!

As you prepare to leave the warm embrace of our islands for the hallowed halls of Dartmouth, my heart swells with pride and a deep, abiding love for each of you. You are about to enter a world of incredible opportunities and challenges far from the familiar shores of our beloved Hawai’i. This journey may test your resolve, broaden your horizons, and enrich your life in ways you cannot yet imagine. But I, as well as many other Dartmouth Hawaii students before you, have braced this campus with all of its New Hampshire quirks and have come out more thankful for the experience, which has impacted our lives with the many relationships that we made in your home away from home. As you are starting this term in NAIS 8, whether you are in your very first term at Dartmouth or your final term at Dartmouth, I hope you take my mana’o, as much or as little as you want to, and continue living the life that you want to live.

Although my journey at Dartmouth has been unordinary, I look back with happiness and joy at the many memories I have made here on this little ole campus of Hanover. From first-year trips and my first homecoming 8 years ago to my final Lūʻau and now graduation this spring, Dartmouth has taught me valuable lessons that have changed my relationship with myself and with those I choose to spend time around. I was placed into an environment that pushed me out of my comfort zone; and it helped me figure out who I was other than someone just from a tiny island in the middle of the Pacific. I have found that being at Dartmouth, who I was in Hawaiʻi, was not someone who I was here.

At Dartmouth, you will meet students from all walks of life, each with their own unique stories and perspectives. Welcome them with aloha, open hearts, and respect, and hope those same feelings are reciprocated.[1] You may not get along with everyone, but going into friendships with an open mind may sometimes surprise you. The relationships you make may surprise you and these friends may end up being your bridesmaids at your future wedding.  Among these students you meet in your classes or extracurricular activities, you will find your fellow Hawaiian students, who share a special bond with you. This bond is not just one of shared origin but of shared values and experiences.[2] Lean on each other for support, celebrate your successes together, and lift each other up in times of difficulty. Your community will be your anchor, providing a sense of belonging and a reminder of home, especially in a place like Hanover, where home is far away.[3] 

In Hawai’i, we learn from a young age the importance of ‘ohana. This sense of family extends beyond blood relations to encompass all who share our values, our joys, and our struggles.[4] As you meet new people and forge new friendships, remember the strength that comes from sticking together. When you get homesick, turn to your Hawai’i friends and plan a pāʻina or event, creating a space where aloha can flourish and hopefully lessen homesickness. One of my favorite memories is living in the Native American House and sharing the delicious local food with all of my fellow housemates. We made kalua pig and cabbage, lomi salmon, li-hing mui apples, butter mochi, and, of course, rice. It was a memorable event where I was transported back home to Hawaii, eating all of our ʻono kaukau! This night refueled my connection back to the islands and gave me the energy to push through midterms.

I completely understand that leaving home is never easy. The rhythm of the waves, the whisper of the wind through the palms, the scent of plumeria on a gentle breeze - these are the things that will call to you from afar, remind you of the ‘aina that nurtured you. It is this connection to the land, to our sacred ‘aina, that I urge you to keep close to your heart. Even as you immerse yourself in the rich academic and cultural life at Dartmouth, never forget the land that your roots are grounded in.[5] As you navigate this new chapter, remember the importance of sticking together as a community and staying connected to the ‘aina, even when you are thousands of miles away from home. Maintaining your connection to the land is equally as important as the bond that you create with your peers around you.

In our culture, the ‘aina is more than just the physical ground we walk on; it is a source of life, sustenance, and identity. This land connection is more than a sentimental tie; it is a vital thread that weaves through our identity.[6] While at Dartmouth, it is important to find ways to honor and nurture this connection with the natural world around you. Explore the forests, swim in the Connecticut River (do the Ledyard challenge, but you didn’t hear it from me), and hike the Appalachian trails around campus. Let the beauty of New Hampshire’s landscapes remind you of the beauty of our islands. Engage in activities that honor and protect the environment, and share our Hawaiian values of mālama ʻaina with your new friends and colleagues.[7] It is so important to incorporate these Hawaiian values in our everyday life and by doing so, you not only honor your heritage but also contribute to a larger global understanding of sustainability and respect for nature.

            Remember, you are ambassadors of Hawai’i. As you walk this path, remember that you carry with you the mana of generations of those who came before you.[8] Your presence at Dartmouth is a testament to the resilience and brilliance of our people. Embrace this role with pride and humility, and use it to foster understanding and respect for our culture. Share your traditions, language, and stories, and be open to learning from others as well. In doing so, you will enrich your experience and contribute to the vibrant tapestry of the Dartmouth community.[9] You are a beacon of our culture, our values, and our dreams. Embrace this role with pride and aloha, and let it guide you in all that you do.

            Coming from our beautiful island home in Hawai’i nei, you must carry with you the spirit of aloha. Our people and kupuna are your guiding lights, and they will help guide you well in your academic pursuits and growth. This spirit is codified in Hawaiʻi state law, which emphasizes the importance of mutual regard and care for others, promoting kindness, unity, and humility. This law encourages all of our Hawaiian citizens & governmental officials to consider these values in their daily lives and interactions. This law speaks to the true meaning of the word aloha. According to Hawaii written law, the following acronym may be used to fully comprehend the life force that is aloha and can be used to share with those you meet at Dartmouth:

            Akahai, meaning kindness, is to be expressed with tenderness.

            Lōkahi, meaning unity, is to be expressed with harmony.

            ʻOluʻolu, meaning to be agreeable, is to be expressed with pleasantness.

            Haʻahaʻa, meaning humility, is to be expressed with modesty.

            Ahonui, meaning patience, is to be expressed with perseverance.

Tenderness, harmony, pleasantness, modesty, and perseverance are all values that work together to build a profound sense of love and respect for one another. Not necessarily the romantic type of love, but the essence of a relationship where each person is important to every other person for collective existence. An idea written in Hawaiian law; aloha is understanding what it means to be human.[10]

Due to the damaging impacts of colonialism and capitalism on Native Hawaiian culture, we must embrace the aloha spirit of love and respect. I understand that the true spirit of aloha may have been lost in thought due to the effects of colonialism and capitalism. The effect of the stereotypical “hula craze” established in the 1930s after the tourism industry exploited hula led to the “endless aloha” aesthetic for the Native Hawaiian people.[11] But it is still important that you still carry the aloha within your hearts, the strength of our culture, and the wisdom of our ancestors. By doing this, we are able to educate those less knowledgeable about the true meaning of aloha, and the resilience and rich heritage of Hawaiʻi’s steadfast people.

Although you have worked hard to attend such a prestigious institution, it is still important to view your classes as a relationship. If your mental health is threatened by the requirements of schoolwork, withdrawing from a course is completely normal. One of the biggest analogies that I had to accept at Dartmouth is that although everyone may seem calm and serene floating on the water's surface like a little duck, they are most likely paddling vigorously beneath them to keep themselves afloat. Everyone may seem like they are composed and outwardly in control, but behind the scenes, there are some who are struggling, like you. You are not alone, absolutely not alone. The true effort and struggles are often not visible to others, so it is important not to judge someone’s situation based solely on what is seen from the outside.

During these times, it is okay to ask for help. Your professors, your dean, your friends, and classmates are there to help you if you ask for help. Community and those you surround yourself with, is a make-or-break moment at Dartmouth. Give yourself aloha – give yourself love in times that you need self-care. In every challenge you face, in every moment of doubt, remember that you are never alone. The spirit of Hawaiʻi is with you, the love of your community surrounds you, and the land itself whispers words of encouragement.

The most important advice that I could give to you is to be content with yourself and the decisions that you have to make on a daily basis. Worrying about all the “what ifs” and spiraling into a hole is not beneficial. Live every moment to the fullest with no regrets but also constantly check in with yourself to make sure that you don’t spread yourself too thin!

I am writing to you in my last term from graduation, 4 years past from when Dartmouth coined me to be a ‘20. In these final days at Dartmouth, I have fallen more deeply in love with this place than ever. I have become more aware of the beauty in the details, the smell of spring coming from the magnolia tree outside of the NAH, the Vermont hills rising above the river, and the early morning rays sun kissing my face in the early hours. I’ll miss the sounds around campus, the Baker Tower bells, the alma mater that rings every afternoon at 5:57 pm, as well as the sounds of laughter echoing through the halls.

In closing, I urge you to stay true to yourself and to each other. The road ahead may be challenging, but you are not alone. Your Hawaiian ohana, both at Dartmouth and back home, is here to support you every step of the way. Stay true to yourself, hold fast to your connections and relationships, and let the spirit of aloha shine through you in all things. Mahalo nui loa, and best of luck with your studies and adventures. May your time at Dartmouth be filled with growth, joy, and success.

Me ke aloha pumehana,

Hope Ushiroda-Garma (ʻ20+4) <3

[1] Ohnuma (2008)

[2] Correa (2017)

[3] Le & Pono (2014)

[4] Le & Pono (2014)

[5] Teves (2012)

[6] Correa (2017)

[7] Grandinetti (2019)

[8] Teves (2012)

[9] Teves (2014)

[10] Ohnuma (2008) & Teves (2015) & Lawrence

[11] Teves (2015) & Grandinetti (2019)