What does it mean to be “whole”? By common definition and understanding, I imagine most people would respond that it means to be complete. While this is an important definition, especially in regards to Whole Hawaii, there is much more to the word than this simple explanation. With some help from Merriam-Webster and my own edits, we can explore the adjective, as used the word is used in Whole Hawaii, a bit further:

Unhurt, restored, healed, free of defects or impairments, intact, physically sound and healthy.

Mentally and emotionally sound.

Having all proper parts or components, unmodified, entire, constituting the total sum or undiminished entirety.

Unbroken, uncut, constituting an undivided unit.

Seemingly complete or total.

Directed to one end, concentrated.

Very great in quantity, extent or scope.

Constituting the entirety of one’s nature or development.

I have been striving in my life, to be healthier recently and in doing so, have found myself feeling more whole, more complete in my being, physically, mentally and spiritually.  My yoga teacher asks us at the beginning of each practice to “set an intention” for our practice. When I started with her several years ago, my intentions were usually related to being more physically fit. They have evolved, since then to include more aspects of my life and very recently, my intention has been “to be whole”, to basically work towards good health in all aspects of my life. This thought, and the experiences I have had working towards that health inspired the name “Whole Hawaii”.

I hope through Whole Hawaii to explore each of these ways of being whole in myself and by exploring these aspects of “wholeness”, allow readers, Hawaii and the planet to be more whole in themselves as well.

Be whole, Hawaii. Aloha!