HONOLULU (KHON2) -- In Hawaiʻi, the spirit of aloha is essential for building strong community ties. Whether you grew up here or you moved here at some point in your life, you have encountered aloha from many different sources. From our community, we experience aloha when we are kind and courteous. In our work, we encounter aloha in honesty and good faith business dealings. On the ʻaina, we experience aloha in a personal way. There are so many ways to embrace aloha. Get Hawaii's latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You For people living on an island, aloha is especially important to driving an empathetic and cooperative society. Being greedy and selfish in island life can lead to many consequences we wouldn't normally experience on the continent. Isolation, depression, hopelessness can creep in so very easily. So, KHON2.com had the great opportunity to learn more about this from Kumu Bradford Lum. Kumu Lum believes that in order to have a successful life, one must embrace and live aloha. But how does one do that? In today’s world, many challenges threaten community harmony, from conflicts to dishonesty. Kumu Bradford Lum noted, “We have wars, we have people who lie and cheat.” These issues make the spirit of aloha even more crucial. Kumu Lum believes that embracing aloha helps individuals navigate these challenges, fostering kindness and compassion amid adversity. Kumu Lum asserted, “Aloha helps us face these challenges head-on.” By promoting empathy and understanding, individuals can build stronger connections that will allow them to support each other during tough times. He encourages community members to practice aloha -- “People trying to do the right thing can inspire change.” Moreover, Kumu Lum emphasizes the role of aloha in fostering a sense of belonging. “Life is in the breath; life is in the water,” he explained as he illustrated how essential these connections are for the well-being of individuals and the community as a whole. Aloha encourages people to value their relationships and work together toward common goals. Kumu Lum believes that now more than ever, we need the spirit of aloha to overcome societal challenges. “Spreading aloha and awareness is vital,” he concluded, as he urges everyone to embrace this spirit for a better future. By prioritizing kindness and understanding, communities can navigate obstacles more effectively in order to foster a harmonious and resilient society. November is National Native American Heritage Month in the United States. So, check out Kumu Lum's Aloha Segment every Tuesday through November. Get news on the go with KHON 2GO, KHON's morning podcast, every morning at 8 This is the sixth in a six-part series examining what aloha is and how we can embrace it in our lives.