At Mai Lani Designs, we embody the Hawaiian values of mālama, aloha, and living pono. Applying these values to the items we produce comes naturally. We believe in creating products that inspire mindful living and help others lead a fulfilled life. We aspire to provide a collection of products that are attractive, functional, meaningful, and reflective of these core values. We are excited to share bits of culture, history and values, art, and encouragement. If we can help others live a joyful life, we hope our Collections inspire it.

MĀLAMA

In Hawaiian, mālama means to take care of, protect, preserve, maintain, serve, and honor. As you can see, there are many meanings for this one word.

Mālama is a powerful value in Hawaiian culture. It encourages positive change in ourselves and those around us. It does not come quickly to everyone but can be developed and honed through time and practice. When we mālama, we are actively looking out for our well-being and tending to the needs of others. This kind of compassionate, caring attitude can positively impact the lives of those around us and create a ripple effect of positivity. It’s a reminder that we are all connected and can make a difference in the world if we are willing to put in the effort.

The Hawaiian phrase, mālama ka ʻāina, means to take care of the land - to nurture and sustain the land for the benefit of future generations. It is about respecting the land by acknowledging its importance and being mindful of our impact on it. It includes protecting the land from harm, preserving its natural resources, and finding ways to use it sustainably.

It is also about connecting with the land, understanding its history and significance, and engaging in practices that honor it. Malama ka ʻāina is not just a concept but a way of life essential to the Hawaiian culture and people.

 Mālama Honua means to take care of the Earth but also to take care of each other. We can all do our part to preserve and protect the planet and our communities by doing simple things like reducing waste, conserving energy, and recycling. Taking care of the Earth is a responsibility and an opportunity to create a better future for everyone.

PONO

Language can tell us so much about the values and beliefs of a society. The concept of pono has multiple layers of meaning: being right, proper, righteous, just, fair, following the laws, moral, ethical, and following one's true beliefs.

Being pono is living with balance and harmony with yourself, the environment, and other people. It is a fundamental part of Hawaiian culture, a way of life based on doing the right thing. It means being mindful of our impact on the planet, respecting the land we were gifted, and ensuring we leave the earth in a better state for future generations. It is being honest and authentic to yourself while also respecting the rights and feelings of others. Being pono is living with integrity and honor, being true to oneself and your values. By living a pono life, we are honoring the spiritual energy of the universe and our relationship with the earth.

ALOHA

You already know it. Aloha expresses love, affection, compassion, sympathy, and kindness. Aloha is used to say hello, goodbye, I love you, and thank you. Like many other Hawaiian words, there are multiple meanings for aloha. We listed only a few.

Aloha is living in harmony, treating each other with love and respect. It starts by teaching ourselves to love our beings first. It is a coordination of mind and heart and brings each person to the self. When you say aloha to another person, you share your life force energy with them. It is sending and receiving positive energy!