Meet a young Pacific Islander named Delaney! We celebrate this young lady with deep Pacific Islander roots as she uses her culture to make a difference in other young lives daily.
Ms. Delaney is 11 years old, born in Southern California. However, her Hawaiian ancestry displays its beautiful self within her smile and heart, and she is pretty knowledgeable about her bloodline. Her paternal grandmother originates from Hawaii and resides on the beautiful island. While her father, also Hawaiian, lives here in Riverside County. Delaney’s roots may not be total Pacific Islander, as her mother is a native of Southern California with Scandinavian ancestry; Delaney understands the importance of her Hawaiian background, the history, and how unique the word “Aloha” actually is.
With family members named Keoni and Kalani, meaning “God is Gracious, and the heaven’s sky in the Hawaiian culture, giving this young girl the name Delaney at birth, her parents were not far off, as her name means “angel from heaven.” And if you were ever to meet her, you would understand why.
Attending an elementary school in Moreno Valley, this ten-year-old makes a difference in every person she comes across, whether a fellow student, teacher, or staff. At Christmas time, she excitedly sang “Mele Kalikimaka” with the rest of her classmates, wearing lei and sunglasses representing her island greeting to wish all a Merry Christmas. According to her mother, she knew every word and could not have been more excited to sing the one song representing her culture.
While most people think the word “Aloha” means hello and goodbye, the word holds much more than a simple greeting. Aloha describes a deep love and respect for people, including oneself and places. It is an act or reminder of how to behave appropriately in the world. The ancient kahunas (priests) taught that living the Spirit of Aloha meant sending and receiving positive energy to everything and everyone in your environment.
Delaney lives in Aloha. Her attitude is loving, caring, and respectful. She is intelligent beyond her years and understands more than most adults that care, love, and doing well in life is paramount. Although only ten years old, this little one has the concept of how life should be lived, her future planned out, and she encourages others daily. Her deeply rooted ancestry certainly shows not only in her words but in her actions as well.
Delaney is an excellent example to all of us in her Hawaiian style and Aloha attitude. She may have been born in Southern California, but her heart belongs to Hawaii. Thank you, Delaney, for spreading “Aloha” everywhere you go.
Please share this story as we celebrate Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, spreading the love of the culture, the people, and the accomplishments. Also, please follow me on NewsBreak for more feel-good stories, as well as local and trending news worldwide.
Comments / 8