March 1, 2019

Hello everyone! First and foremost I’d love to bask in the spotlight that we have hit 1000 followers on Instagram! Talk about a mini dream ever since I started our Instagram 11 months ago. We have not paid for one advertisement or hired a company that boosts your profile to get those shadow followers. We like to think that everyone who follows along actually has an interest in what we’re doing and designing. For those of you who that applies to, thank you! We wouldn’t be where we’re at without you! Fun fact, we’ve gotten 3 inquiries that found us on Instagram. So many planners say that’s the only way they get business but it’s new to us so quite exciting!

Anyways, Danielle here, excited to write about our twelfth Hawaiian value! For those of you who need some catching up, I have been writing about one new Hawaiian value on the 1st of every month since April 2018. That just goes to show how fast time flies because we’re already on our last value.

To be honest, I started this monthly tradition from the beginning to have content for our blog. When I had no pictures to share, it was hard coming up with something to write about. This “Hawaiian value” concept soon transformed into a wonderful thing for our company though because it has really gotten me to think about the image we want to portray and how we want to grow in the future.

Some of these past months I really struggled because a majority of the blogs were talking about myself. I’m not someone who typically does that so it’s definitely a weird point of view to take. But because I had to think about bettering myself and our company, I’ve challenged myself to think hard about what my goals and aspirations are. I’ve listed below all of the 11 values I’ve shared thus far with their definitions.

Aloha – the value of unconditional love. Aloha is the outpouring and receiving of the spirit.
Kakou – the value of communication. We are in this together. Learn to speak the language of we.
Alaka’i – the value of leadership. Lead with initiative, and with your good example.
Oh’omau – the value of perseverance. To persist, to continue, to perpetuate. Never give up.
Ha’aha’a – the value of humility. Be humble, be modest, and open your thoughts.
‘Imi ola – to “seek best life”. Our purpose in life is to seek it’s highest form.
Nana i ke kumu – look to your sense of place and sources of spirit, and you will find the truth
Pono – the value of integrity, of rightness and balance. The feeling of contentment when all is good and all is right.
Mahalo – “thank you” as a way of living. Live in thankfulness for the richness that makes life so precious.
Kulia i ka nu’u – the value of achievement. “Strive to reach the summit.” Pursue personal excellence in all you do.
Ho’okipa – the value of hospitality, a hospitality of complete giving. Welcome guests and strangers with your spirit of aloha.

Now that we’ve summarized all of the values Ohana Events is incorporating into the business, it’s time to head to our last value! It’s blatantly obvious especially given the title of the blog – “‘ohana”! It’s defined as:

“Family, and those you choose as family. ‘Ohana is a human circle of complete aloha”

This is what I’m all about. Family is not just your blood ties, it’s anyone who you care about so much that you consider them in your family. I actually have a very small family. I have only one [awesome] brother and a few cousins. As I grew up I was making friends with people throughout my education and I realized my “family” kept getting bigger. And now I have the greatest family of all, including all my work peeps. This includes the amazing and talented vendors I work with weekend after weekend and also my unbelievable, over-the-top supportive clients that I have the opportunity to explore their love journey with. Yes, I’m one lucky gal but I don’t take that for granted. I realize I’m in one of the best industries to make friends and grow my ‘ohana. My relationships with my couples all vary, and really that comes down to how much I work with them. There are some couples I see every week and some I unfortunately see but every few months. I have no doubt that no matter the relationship, I get to know all of my clients on a more personal level and that means the world to me. And a lot of my clients I see more than my immediate family, I’m sure many of you can relate!

Now can you see why I consider my clients part of my ‘ohana? If you’ve met me in person for a complimentary consultation, you’ve probably heard me say that cheesy line that I make myself say (even though it’s embarrassing). “I’d love for you to be part of my ‘ohana!” But through the cheesiness it’s sincere.

I look forward to the next year ahead, applying ALL of these Hawaiian values to my company. If you’ve actually followed along, thank you! This is as close to ‘writing in a diary’ that I’ve gotten so I hope you feel like you understand who I am and I hope to work with you soon!

-Danielle Kuhn, Ohana Events