With the support of Kamehameha Schools, we’re looking to tap into the power of aloha&grit for the Islands. This month, the voices of four mana wāhine (women of strength) will be heard on local media outlets, sharing a glistening pearl of wisdom as Hawai‘i trudges through these long months of the pandemic.

The mana wāhine are: the late Hawaiian cultural icon Nona Beamer; community mediator and activist Puanani Burgess; Chancellor of the University of Hawai‘i at West O‘ahu, Maenette Ah Nee-Benham; and musical artist Ku‘uipo Kumukahi.

Their voices will be followed in the year ahead by those of many other intriguing speakers. You’ll hear brief but potent mana‘o (belief, idea, thought, knowledge) in a year-long multimedia community resilience program: What’s it Going to Take? aloha&grit.

As Islanders, we know that there’s nothing weak about aloha. It is a life force of strength, humility, love and the alignment of mind and heart.

As for grit, experts say it’s more than bouncing back after a blow or loss. Psychologist/author Angela Duckworth describes it this way:

“Grit is passion and perseverance for very long term goals. Grit is sticking with your future, day in, day mout, not just for the week, not just for the month but for years, and working really hard to make that future a reality.”

For aloha&grit, PBS Hawai‘i will be reaching into our vast video archive and also conducting new interviews, sharing others’ wisdom about finding one’s way through adversity. We hope you’ll be inspired on your journey.

Watch for aloha&grit moments airing between regular TV programming! Or join us on social media. Or check our website for the newest aloha&grit messages at pbshawaii.org/aloha&grit.

Here’s to living with aloha&grit.