ALOHA Spirit
In Hawaii today you can find the Aloha Spirit hidden almost everywhere in plain sight. As many know that in the Hawaiian language, aloha stands for “love,” it also has a deeper meaning of “the joyful (oha) sharing (alo) of life energy (ha) in the present (alo).” The loving use of this incredible energy is the secret for attaining true health, happiness, prosperity and success.
Living Aloha is a way of life that all the great masters have taught us in their own language throughout time. The problem is that we have all been trained to respond to things as warriors rather than with Aloha. “The world is a dangerous place,” is the root belief of the warrior. “The world is a loving place” is the belief in Aloha. “The Way of Aloha” is a path that emphasizes acceptance, forgiveness and cooperation through the practice of “love and be loved.” Aloha Spirit is the practice of non-judgment, and an attitude of “what can I give?” rather than “what can I get?” Aloha also neatly encompasses the golden rule…”do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
The Aloha Spirit is a philosophy of love that is woven into the Hawaiian culture. The word is spoken often to remind us that it should always be at the forefront of our thoughts and actions.
Mission Statement
UNCLE’S mission is to share Hawaiian food and culture with the world. We try to bring the Aloha Spirit to the way we source our ingredients, prepare our food, and serve our guests. Our staff and patrons alike should always know and feel that they are a part of the Uncle’s Ohana.
Hawaiian Cuisine
Hawaiian Cuisine is a reflection of the Hawaiian culture, a fusion of diverse traditions and customs that have been brought to the islands for centuries. Hawaiian food borrows from other Polynesian islanders, Asian immigrants, European workers and American travellers. Traditionally reliant on the freshest seafood (especially ahi tuna!) and root vegetables (like taro), Hawaiians nowadays enjoy a more diverse diet of fruits (pineapple, mango, coconut) and meats (beef short rib, pork shoulder and roasted chicken). The sugar cane plantation period of the late 1800s was the real period of culinary melding. Asian spices (li-hing-mui, wasabi) and sauces (shoyu, teriyaki) became the norm, as did Portuguese mainstays such as sweet bread and malasadas. American GIs brought spam® to the islands, and Hawaiians made it their own. Fresh seafood (such as world famous Hawaiian poke) and poi (taro root porridge) are still as popular in Hawaii today as they were a hundred years ago. This is the beauty of Hawaiian Cuisine, always embracing new ideas while honoring the old… balancing influences from around the globe… and finding harmony in diversity… just like the Hawaiian people.
Food Philosophy
We believe in preparing all of our foods, whenever possible, with locally sourced, sustainably grown or raised, and non-gmo ingredients. We support GMO labeling and any efforts to increase food system transparency. Our commitment to food integrity and local farms is as much about flavor as it is about health. We believe in sustainable food systems that enhance the lives of those whom it feeds, as well as the earth from where it all comes. We believe in feeding our guest the same way we feed our family… With Aloha!