A new Web site, practicealoha.org, seeks to spread the meaning of the all-that-is-good Hawaiian word, aloha, and allows people to tell their aloha stories.

Developed by restaurateur Mark Ellman of Maui, the Practice Aloha effort began with a mailing to many of Ellman's friends, customers and acquaintances some months ago, suggesting they submit an essay for the project about their definition and/or experience of aloha.
The Web site went up this week and includes essays by musicians such as Keola Beamer, Henry Kapono and John Cruz; restaurateur Peter Merriman, surfer Debra Casey, promoter and radio announcer Tom Mofffatt and more.
Perhaps the most moving is Ellman's own story, of how he, a Californian, came to be living in the Islands and to go into the restaurant business, both the legacy of his father.
Also on the site are "aloha pictures," and an invitation to submit your own aloha essay.
Go to http://practicealoha.org (note there's no www in the address).