Spirit of Aloha Botanical Gardens and Bird Sanctuary

The Spirit of Aloha Temple is a Non-Profit 501(c)3 Spiritual Service Organization in the lineage of  Sri Swami Sivananda, founder of the Divine Life Society, Rishikesh, India, in 1936.  Sivananda’s vision was shared by his many disciples, including Sri Swami Satchidananda, founder of the Integral Yoga Institute in 1966. This inspirational lineage lives on today through the dedication of their disciples, including Swami Swaroopananda (a.k.a. Fredrick Swaroop Honig), founder of The Spirit of Aloha Temple, Botanical Gardens and Bird Sanctuary in 1994 on Maui, Hawaii.  The Gardens are a sacred eleven-acre oceanfront historic Hawaiian heritage site.

 We invite you to join our 'Ohana of Spirit of Aloha Nature Guardians. Nature Guardians embrace all of creation as one family. We strive to live a holistic lifestyle, free of illegal drugs, alcohol and tobacco (except as sacraments), and free of meat, fish, eggs, dairy, and genetically modified foods. Nature Guardians are committed to living simply, supporting the earth through our use of sustainable organic horticulture and plant-based nutrition. Nature Guardians are guided by our conscience and the Golden Rule, with service as a primary focus of our lives.   We respect teachers from many traditions, along with the wisdom of nature, as guidance for living in alignment with the Unitive Consciousness of the universe. Nature Guardians see all spiritual traditions as embodying universal wisdom, summarized eloquently by the twelve pillars of 

The Spirit of Aloha, as taught by our revered Hawaiian Kumu Puanani Mahoi. 

1)  Mahalo - Gratitude                      5) Ma’alahi - Cooperation               9) Kuleana - Service

2)  Ha’aha’a - Humility                   6) Pono - Honesty                             10) Noa - Freedom              

3)  Ihi - Respect                                7) Hauoli - Happiness                       11) Maluhia - Peace                  

4)  Laulima - Simplicity                   8) Aloha - Love                                 12) Lokahi – Unity

Nature Guardians express these values in their lives through their integrity and generosity, practice of yoga and meditation, and commitment to being easeful, peaceful, useful and joyful. We embrace a lifestyle that is free of violence, (except for self-defense).   We employ the ancient Hawaiian wisdom of Ho'oponopono diplomatic negotiations as our means of resolving interpersonal, civil and international disputes.  

Nature Guardians support:

1.     The United Nations Universal Declaration for Human Rights, as the inalienable rights of all humanity. 

2.     The rights of animals and nature by embracing a diet of organic plant-based nutrition.

3.     Equal rights for women, including decisions concerning contraception and pregnancy.

4.     Equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals.

5.     Equal rights for native cultures, minorities, and individuals with disabilities.

6.     A world that is harmonious, prosperous, multicultural, free of weapons of mass destruction and war.