Embracing Aloha this Christmas 🤙

Happy Friday. As you shift into holiday mode, I want to send a short Wave Report about what we can learn from waves, Christmas, and the spirit of aloha. 🌊🎄🤙.

This week’s Wave Report comes from a profound moment I had with my family earlier this year during the heaviest season of the launch of The Rise of Sustainable Giving. During the height of the whirlwind that was the book launch, I was able to take my girls to the island of Maui for the first time. 

It was a much-needed respite and a time of re-centering and perspective. 

Maui is known as the “Valley Isle” of Hawaii, and on our first morning, we had a moment that I’ll never forget.

Thinking back on that experience this Christmas, I’ve recorded a video message for you. I can’t think of a better way to wish you peace and a spirit of ALOHA – if you have a few minutes, give this a watch: 

Above: My Christmas video message for you, sharing a story of learning to embrace aloha during the heaviest season of 2025. 

From the most epic mountaintop sunrise to meeting artist Jordanne Perkins and being moved by her beautiful artistic interpretations of the power and mystery of the waves, it was the shift I needed. 

A few days later, I stood on the edge of a volcanic outcropping in Northwest Maui, watching the sheer force of giant waves pounding the shore. 

Above: Watching the power and seeming unpredictability of the waves is awe-inspiring – and a reminder that in life there are forces that come at us, but that gives us a choice – how will we respond?

I wrote the following later, reflecting on that experience…

Waves are powerful things. 

Waves can be Scary. Overwhelming. Unending. 

Waves are also Beautiful. Rhythmic. Peaceful.

When faced with the crashing waves of life, we have an opportunity to respond. Will we face them? Dive under them? Stay out of the water altogether?

ALOHA

One of my favorite elements of Hawaiian culture is the concept of Aloha. 

A traditional Hawaiian greeting, Aloha comes from the roots of two Polynesian words – “alo,” meaning presence, and “ha,” meaning the breath of life. So when you see someone and greet them with Aloha, you are saying, “I am present with you. I see you. Breath of life to you.” 🤙

💡 Takeaway: Aloha translated to “presence of breath.” Aloha is rhythm, and there is a rhythm to breathing, just as there is a rhythm to the waves. As we become aware of our natural rhythms and the rhythms of the waves around us, we are better able to respond to the waves of life.

This Christmas, I pray that you experience true ALOHA.

Blessings, and until next week… Surf’s Up! 🌊

Dave