What is the Bridge of Friendship?
Every fall, Nā Lei Aloha Foundation invites community contributors to participate at a half-day gathering based on a chosen theme with the aim of starting a conversation. The annual theme is never announced ahead of the time but is revealed as the conference unfolds through various activities.
Themes of past Bridge of Friendship gatherings:
2020 – Due to the uncertainty around the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Bridge of Friendship was not held for the first time since it began in 2005.
2019 “Connection” – Connecting first, one-on-one, heart-to-heart is the starting point for all positive change. When we seek to build connection, some of our greatest moments of joy can be found through unveiling that those connections already exist.
2018 “Voice” – To find your voice, to express your voice and be heard, and to give voice to others – all empowering and necessary toward growth and happiness.
2017 “Light” – We can break through personal darkness and challenges when others offer us the “light” of their support. We find internal courage by seeking “light” within ourselves. When we recognize the needs and struggles of others and offer our “light” through our words and actions, we can experience true joy.
2016 “Kuleana” – To accept something as “kuleana” is to gratefully receive and own a task with a deep sense of responsibility and privilege. What is our personal kuleana? What kuleana do we have as a community?
2015 “We” is inclusive. It is simple. It is all-accepting and holds no sense of division or hierarchy. It spans past, present and future. It includes everyone without the need to understand or empathize. We come to the table as unique individuals, but in honoring “we,” we enlarge our capacity by allowing ourselves to cast a wide enough net for everyone to find their place within a solution.
2014 “Resilience, Reclamation, Renewal” – Cultivating resilience allows us to bounce back from our challenges, big and small. When we identify and understand the things that renew our spirit, we can act to reclaim ourselves and move forward toward the future.
2013 “Empathy” – The desire and ability to feel what another person feels is the basis for a caring community that is wanting and able to address the needs of all.
2012 “Diversity Harmony Peace” – Committing to the process of creating harmony amid diversity in our immediate surroundings will be the first step toward a more peaceful world. How can each of us take that first step?
2011 “Interconnectedness” – Cultivate an understanding of our interconnectedness to encourage a feeling of responsibility, belonging, and caring for one another
2010 “Gratitude” – Inspire participants to transform their internal feelings of gratitude into tangible actions
2009 “Acts of Giving” – Encourage attendees to reflect on how they could personally make a difference in the lives of others by performing acts of giving
2008 “Imagine the Possibilities” – Empower attendees to imagine the possibilities while infusing the aloha spirit into the process
2007 “Piece of the Puzzle” – Recognize that each person is an important piece of the puzzle toward the success of our larger community
2006 “ʻOhana” – Foster a sense of ʻohana between individuals and organizations that will last beyond the event
2005 “The Individual” – Identifying similarities and differences as individuals
Why does Nā Lei Aloha host the Bridge?
Bringing people together is what we do. Nā Lei Aloha’s mission focuses on supporting or creating opportunities for diverse people to come together in ways that encourage uncovering common values and goals. Recognizing our commonalities can be a starting place for respect and cooperation to grow, and this can strengthen our Hawaiʻi community.
How we plan:
Our planning team includes past Bridge participants who volunteer their time to design a gathering to benefit like-minded community-contributing individuals, organizations, and therefore the community.
Reported Outcomes:
Although it is would be difficult to trace all of the direct or even indirect results of people meeting at the Bridge, we have heard a range of results such as organizations forming partnerships toward a singular goal, to individuals simply feeling renewed after being treated to a morning of thought-provoking conversation and getting to know others who are engaged in the community. What makes us most happy is hearing about real friendships that have resulted from meaningful conversation in the comfortable environment of this unique conference.
Comments from participants:
“Every year the Bridge of Friendship always helps me to remember what is most important in life…our connections with each other and how we can make it better for everyone. My spirit and being are lifted and nourished always!”
– Merton Chinen, Program Development Officer, Hawaii Dept. of Human Services, Office of Youth Services
“If you are interested in networking with other organizations to create and build a stronger community, if you need to take time from your busy schedule to assess your role in the broader community, if you need to reconnect with others who can support you, then participating in the Bridge of Friendship is just what the doctor ordered. You will leave inspired, renewed, and ready to face the world!”
-Lynne Waihee, President, Read To Me International
“Awesome day. I am so happy that I took the time to come. I wish the whole staff or colleagues could be here today.”
“Thank you so very much. Every year, I arrive feeling rushed, worked, frantic, and I leave more peaceful, grateful and full. I don’t know how, but I was seated with the perfect people to interact with, for both professional and personal reasons. This day is life-changing. Thank you.”
“ Thank you. Mahalo. Gracias. I felt inspired, grateful, honored, happy and amazed at how much love can be shared by perfect strangers.”
2018 participants represented:
`Ohana Kako`o Resource Program
Adult Friends for Youth
Alliance for Drama Education
Alohahawaiionipaa.org
AlzheimersAwareness-Hawaii
American Red Cross
Art Explorium
Assistivie Technology Resource Center
Bank of Hawaii
Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaii
Communities in School Hawaii
Community Contributor
Conservation International – Center for Oceans
Department of Parks & Recreation
Director/Pastor UH Newman Center and Holy Spirit Parish
Enterprise Honolulu
Family Programs Hawaii
Family Promise of Hawaii
Fong & Fong, Attorneys-at-Law
Hale Kipa
Hands in Helping Out
Hawai’i Alliance for Community-Based Economic Development
Hawai`i Nature Center
Hawaii Children’s Cancer Foundation
Hawaii Children’s Discovery Center
Hawaii Community Foundation
Hawaii Department of Education
Hawaii Fi-Do Serevice Dogs
Hawaii Foodbank
Hawaii Nature Hui
Hawaii State Legislature – Senate
Hawaii Youth Services Network
Hawaiian Electric
HI Housing Finance Development Corp.
Hirota & Associates, LLLC
HNL Tool Library
Hoʻōla Nā Pua
Honolulu Habitat for Humanity
Ichinyosha Hawaii
Ichinyosha Japan
IHS, The Institute for Human Services, Inc.
Iolani Palace
Islander Institute
Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii
Kahi Mohala – Sutter Health
Kamehameha Schools
Kapi’olani Service and Sustainability Learning Program
Kapiolani Community College
Kinetic Productions, Inc.
KITV4
Kokua Kalihi Valley
Kokua Mau, Hawaii Hospice & Palliative Care Org.
Kuakini Hospital
Kualoa-Heeia Ecumenical Youth (KEY) Project
Kukui Children’s Foundation
Lanakila Multi-Purpose Senior Center
Lanakila Pacific
Le Jardin Academy/Honolulu Museum of Art
Legacy of Life Hawai’i
Make-A-Wish Hawaii
Malama Learning Center
Maryknoll Sisters
National Association of Social Workers- Hawai’i
National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii
Oahu Economic Development Board
Office of Youth Services
Olelo Community Media
Pacific and Asian Affairs Council
Pacific Health Ministry
Palolo Chinese Home
Palolo Valley Homes Resident Association Board, RAB Board
Parents and Children Together
Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest and the Hawaiian Islands
Project Dana
ProjectFocus Hawaii
Punahou School, Luke Center for Public Service
Read To Me International
Seagull Schools
Shinnyo-en Hawaii
Southwest Airlines
State of Hawaii Judiciary
Survivor Outreach Services
Susannah Wesley Community Center
T.S.A.
Taiko Arts Center
The Nature Conservancy
UH Office of Civic and Community Engagement
UHM Myron B. Thompson School of Social Work
Univers Foundation
University of Hawaii at Manoa
University of Hawaii Office of Civic and Community Engagement
Visitor Aloha Society of Hawaii
Vistage Hawaii
Wai’anae Neighborhood Place (Hale Na’au Pono)
Waikiki Community Center
Waikiki Elementary School
Waikiki Health
Youth Service Hawaii
Nā Lei Aloha Foundation’s Bridge of Friendship Video