Hawaiian Word of the Week: Nalu

One of the reasons we all love Hawaii is the beaches. Being close to the water and sand. The simple sounds of the waves, or nalu [pronounced nah-loo]in Hawaiian, are one of the things we crave most about being in Hawaii. 

We use nalu to describe the cyclical nature of an event or feeling: the nalu of financial markets or the nalu of grief. The up and down nature of the ocean can be mesmerizing to watch and can provide a sense of calm. Studies have shown that hearing and watching nalu at the beach has positive health benefits.

Yet while nalu can have a soothing effect on us, there is the other side of nalu: the ferocity, the strength, the destruction that nalu can create. Tsunamis have caused catastrophic damage in Hawaii.  Nalu has a force and a power that is in a class of its own. We are told as we land in Hawaii to respect the ocean and the nalu, for its power can easily sweep you away. 

The juxtaposition of nalu is to the extreme: intense ferocity or a calming nature. I like to think that I can be both. But for me, there is nothing like spending time on the beach and listening to the nalu to help re-center my wellbeing. 

What effects do nalu have on you?

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