Mindfulness with Aloha Breath

Oh, no! Too many malasadas make Stomach hurt! But who is to blame? Is it Hands, who put them there? Or Eyes, who saw them? Or is it Brain, who gives orders? Bear Awareness, Dino, Hippo and the Body Parts teach children about using breath to connect with ALOHA as a mindfulness practice. These values allow us to relate wholesomely with ourselves and others, leading to understanding rather than blame. Bear Awareness invites us to remember and cultivate each ALOHA value with every in-and-out breath. Written by Thao “Kale‘a” Le, PhD, MPH, a professor in Human Development and Family Studies, Mindfulness with Aloha Breath incorporates Aunty Pilahi Paki’s meaning of aloha as designated in the “Aloha Spirit Law” (HRS [§5-7.5]) and basic concepts of neurological and biological function in a simple, expressive lesson for children.

Covers Hawaii Content & Performance Standards Database III Content Area: Health
Standard 1: Core Concepts - Understand concepts related to health promotion and disease prevention (Mental and Emotional Health); Standard 3: Self-Management -  Practice Health: Enhancing behaviors and reduce health risks (Mental and Emotional Health, Factors Influencing Health Across Topic Areas); Standard 4: Analyzing Influences -  Understand the influences of culture, family, peers, media, technology, and other factors on health; Standard 5: Interpersonal Communication -  Use interpersonal communication skills to enhance health; Standard 6: Decision-Making and Goal-Setting -  Use decision-making and goal-setting skills to enhance health

Thao “Kale‘a” Le, PhD, MPH, is a professor in the Human Development and Family Studies program in the Family Consumer Sciences Department at the University of Hawai’i Mānoa. Mindfulness with Aloha Breath is her first children’s picture book, an expression of her love and gratitude for Hawai’i.

Born and raised on O‘ahu, Storm Kano is a graduate of the Kapi‘olani Community College New Media Arts Program. Rising rapidly in the local art community, she had the recent honor of working on an exhibit for the Japanese American National Museum. Storm’s contribution to this book is her way of giving back to the Island community she calls home.

Author: Thao “Kale‘a” Le
Illustrator: Storm Aolani Kano
Hardcover, 36pp
Release Date: September 2020

Available in e-book: