It's more than just an easy word for casual goodbye.
It's gayer than a greeting and sadder than a sigh.
It's all the tender messages that words cannot convey.
It's tears unshed and longing for a loved one gone away.
It's welcome to Hawaii and it's a lingering farewell.
It's all the dear and silent thing that lovers lips can tell.
It's frailer than the spider webs and strong as leather thongs.
It's fresh as dew on ginger blooms and older than the moon,
It's the little lullabies that native mothers croon.
It's said a hundred different ways in sadness and in joy.
Aloha means I love - so I say - Aloha Oe.

"What Aloha Means" by Don Blanding