In today’s political climate, public discourse often feels more like combat than conversation. Citizens are divided, leaders trade insults instead of ideas, and the tone of our national, state and local dialogue grows increasingly harsh. It seems to me that many Americans are unconcerned with the vitriolic and polarizing behavior of our government leaders and reward the conduct with their votes. I wonder where the voices of those Americans are who believe “good character really does matter” in leaders and that something essential to our democratic leadership is largely missing.

Interestingly, a small but profound law in the state of Hawaii offers a reminder of what that missing element might be. In 1986, the Hawaii legislature enacted what is known as the Aloha Spirit Law (Hawaii Revised Statutes §5-7.5). At first glance, the statute seems almost surprising. Rather than regulating commerce or defining criminal penalties, it encourages public officials to conduct themselves in accordance with the traditional Hawaiian philosophy of Aloha.

Most people associate the word “aloha” with a greeting. In Hawaiian culture, however, the meaning runs much deeper. Aloha reflects a way of living grounded in kindness, humility, patience, unity, and mutual respect.

The statute recites that government officials and Hawaii residents are to treat each other, and make political, commercial and personal decisions that reflect the following five traditional values of Hawaiian culture: 1). Akahai – kindness and concern for others expressed with tenderness; 2). Lokahi – unity and oneness expressed with harmony and balance; 3). Oluolu – friendliness, pleasantness, and warmth toward others; 40. Haʻahaʻa – humility expressed with modesty; and 5). Ahonui- patience expressed with perseverance.

At its most fundamental core, the Hawaii state public servants to embody these values when making decisions affecting the people they serve. Importantly, the statute does not impose penalties or create lawsuits. It is aspirational. It reminds leaders that governing is not merely the exercise of power or policy to advance the interests of special constituencies or interests. It is a moral responsibility grounded in character.

Imagine for a moment what our public life and societal relationships might look like if these principles guided political leadership and individual civility. What if humility replaced arrogance? What if patience replaced violent outrage? What if kindness replaced name-calling and personal disparagement? What if cooperation and true bipartisanship replaced contempt?

Our system of government was never designed to function in an atmosphere of constant hostility. The framers of the Constitution understood that democratic institutions depend not only on laws and procedures but also on the character of those entrusted to lead.

John Adams famously warned that the American Constitution was made only for “a moral and religious people,” and that it would be wholly inadequate to govern any other. In other words, institutions alone cannot sustain a healthy republic. They require leaders whose personal characters reflect virtues that make civil society possible.

The Aloha Spirit law reminds us that leadership is ultimately a matter of the soul.

It asks for something deeper than political skill or ideological alignment. It asks whether those who govern possess the humility to listen, the patience to deliberate, the kindness to respect those with whom they disagree, and the wisdom to seek harmony rather than division.

In a time when politics often rewards anger and outrage, these virtues may appear naïve. Yet history suggests the opposite. The leaders most admired across generations—Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, Nelson Mandela—were not remembered primarily for rhetorical attacks on their opponents. They are remembered for their moral depth, restraint, and commitment to reconciliation. Their leadership reflected something akin to the spirit of aloha.

Of course, the responsibility for restoring civility does not belong only to elected officials. A democracy ultimately reflects the character of its citizens. If we reward outrage, we will receive outrage. If we reward humility, wisdom, and respect, those qualities will emerge in leadership.

The question before us is therefore not only what kind of leaders we want, but what kind of citizens we choose to be. Perhaps the lesson from Hawaii’s small but meaningful statute is that the health of a political community depends not simply on laws but on the spirit with which those laws are carried out. In a polarized age, the spirit of aloha offers a simple but powerful reminder: leadership begins with character. And the leaders most worthy of our trust will be those whose souls reflect that spirit.

By the way, did you notice that if you write the first letters of the Hawaiian words, they spell Aloha?

Louie V. Larimer is a native Hawaiian who has lived and worked in Colorado Springs since 1982 as an attorney, author and advisor. He can be reached by visiting:LouieLarimer.com