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Does The "Aloha Spirit" Violate The Establishment Clause?

4 0
20.07.2026

The Volokh Conspiracy

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Does The "Aloha Spirit" Violate The Establishment Clause?

The statutory definition of the "aloha spirit" seems very much like any other progressive nondeist religion.

Josh Blackman | 7.20.2026 9:46 AM

In an update to my post on the Hawaii Supreme Court's lawlessness, I pointed out that the Hawaii legislature actually imposed a duty on all state officials to abide by the "Aloha Spirit."

§ 5-7.5 "Aloha Spirit". (a) "Aloha Spirit" is the coordination of mind and heart within each person. It brings each person to the self. Each person must think and emote good feelings to others. In the contemplation and presence of the life force, "Aloha", the following unuhi laulā loa may be used:
"Akahai", meaning kindness to be expressed with tenderness;
"Lōkahi", meaning unity, to be expressed with harmony;
"ʻOluʻolu" meaning agreeable, to be expressed with pleasantness;
"Haʻahaʻa",........

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