Question: Are the "Live Aloha" bumper stickers still available? If so, can you tell me how I can get them?
Answer: The original "Live Aloha" bumper stickers, featuring an ohia lehua blossom graphic designed by Hawaii island artist/designer Sig Zane, can still be obtained by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Live Aloha, 165 Waokanaka Place, Honolulu 96817.
As has been the case since the stickers were first offered about 20 years ago, there is no charge.
Donations are welcome to offset printing costs but not required, said Robbie Alm, one of the original members of a small group of friends and community leaders behind the low-key "Live Aloha" movement.
The stickers come with a card explaining the "Live Aloha" philosophy, with examples of "aloha in action" — simple acts of courtesy and caring.
"The card tells you what putting the bumper sticker on commits you to as far as the rest of the world is concerned," Alm said.
The examples given: Respect all elders and children; leave places better than you find them; hold the door; hold the elevator; plant something; drive with courtesy; never drive impaired; attend an event of another culture; return your shopping cart; get out and enjoy nature; pick up litter; share with your neighbors; create smiles; create a list and share it.
As he explained it to Kokua Line shortly after the grass-roots movement began, "A group of us thought people ought to take more personal responsibility" for making Hawaii a better place, "agreeing to do certain things themselves with less reliance on government or outsiders."
Alm estimates more than 700,000 stickers have been printed so far, but he’s stopped counting. Many requests continue to come from the mainland, as well as "quite a few from here," he said.
We noted there are other "live aloha" stickers being offered online and asked whether the phrase and design had been copyrighted.
"We do have the copyright for the lehua and the two words in cursive" in green and red, Alm said. But the phrase "live aloha" is not copyrighted.
"I would personally be bothered if someone tried to do so," Alm said. "We have stopped some things if we feel that there is serious commercialization going on. We try to be pretty friendly about it since the words were Queen Liliuokalani’s and she was very tolerant herself."
Sakura Matsuri
It’s that time of the year when the cherry blossoms (sakura) bloom in Wahiawa, which the Wahiawa Nikkei Civic Association hopes will become known as the "Sakura City of Oahu." (See bit.ly/1FMH3rP.)
To that end the association is sponsoring two cultural events:
» The 27th Annual WNCA Sakura Matsuri, 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, at the Wahiawa Hongwanji Hall, 1067 California Ave. A donation of $5 per ticket is requested. Call Rene Mansho at 291-6151 for tickets.
The event will feature sakura plant giveaways, door prizes, Japanese entertainment and food.
"Our mission is to promote and perpetuate the Japanese culture and language," Mansho said.
» The "Sakura Safari-Hana Mi"(cherry blossom viewing tour), 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 7. Meet at Wahiawa Ryusenji Soto Mission, 164 California Ave.
The cost is $20 for a 90-minute trolley ride to view more than 500 sakura trees; optional $5 for a bento lunch.
Seating is limited and reservations are required, so the advice is to call Mansho (291-6151) as early as possible. The deadline is Monday.
Mahalo
To the honest person who found my "lost" iPhone in Waikiki in December. They turned it in to the Police Department where I was able to retrieve it. Thank you also to Jessica, who tracked it down for me with her phone, and to Larry at Charley’s cab, who was helpful beyond his call. They all came to my rescue with kindness and consideration. — June Lawrence
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Write to “Kokua Line” at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.
