Happy holidays, everyone! It’s Trisha, your island girl SOF ambassador and woot woot! My favorite season is here! It’s the most wonderful time of the year (*sings in my Andy Williams voice while rocking an ugly sweater, sipping on hot chocolate made with organically and ethically grown cocoa).

Ancient Hawaiians celebrated a four consecutive month holiday called makahiki that covered the month of December. During this time, fighting was kapu (forbidden) to ensure no bad vibes would effect the new year and the new crops. People enjoyed feasts, community bonding events that included prayers, religious rituals, sports, music, and of course hula (dance). Aloha Festivals now takes place during makahiki, allowing locals celebrate with parades, hoolaulea (block parties), and so much more. I find it very interesting that many people all over the world celebrate in similar ways during this season.

I usually visit my family in Hawaii during warmer season, just to avoid the hassle of wearing my hardcore, ready-for-blizzard-anytime Hokkaido winter gear to the tropical paradise I call home. Except for this one year, I couldn’t visit earlier in the year due to work but I really wanted to go home to be with my family. So I stuffed my rubbba slippas (flip flops) into my carry-on and off I went home for Christmas.

I don’t know how long it had been since I last spent Christmas in Hawaii and it WAS indeed the most wonderful time of the year! Why had I not felt this way in Japan? Then I noticed the biggest difference. People actually say “Merry Christmas!” Or “Happy Holidays!” to each other in Hawaii (and yes, in other states and countries). Almost never, do I hear these phrases in Japan! People in English-speaking countries often use these phrases as a way to greet each other, to show their gratefulness, and to wish well for another. That’s the holiday spirit I was missing here in Japan. Holiday season is wonderful because there are special phrases to share love with one another.

Ua ola no i ka pane a ke aloha – there is life in a kind reply. Communication makes life lively, and during the holiday season it even makes miracles happen. I am grateful to be residing in Japan, or else I probably would have not realized why this holiday season is so special.

Our mouth is where words that create life come out of, and so what goes in must be highly selected. I mean, what kind of life would you want to create? Junk food in, junk life created. This holiday season, give yourself and your loved ones the best gift that you could possibly give them; super organic food to create beautiful life!