Soul HI People - Ryan Kealii Souza

Ambassador of Aloha

Be the Light in the Darkness. It’s merely a reflection of what is True after all…

We hold many different roles on the journey along Life’s Road. As we weave in and out of these roles, we have the opportunity to see (and hopefully learn from observing) so many different reflections, sometimes in the form of the same mirror.

I first met Ryan early while occupying one of the rols of my ‘professional’ career as Ryan is a talented singer who performed with my former company, Hawai‘i Opera Theatre. Ryan’s drive to be a Light and inspiration stood out to me from the start and we were kindred spirits in a field that can take itself way too seriously…

I'd later learned that we shared a couple mutual connections through the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu community here in the islands. One of those being my wife, who at the time, was then-future wife.

Jiu-Jitsu, a passion and very personal practice of mine, has been something I’ve worked at (sometimes more off than on) since ‘08.

Much like my quest to develop as a holistic person included developing a career skill-set, and not just clock in and out of a job, jiu-jitsu has played a big a role in my growth process. I started it in my 20s, thought I quit but returned in my 30s, and after losing my Dad and covid took time away, here + now, I continue on in my 40s. I never set out to be a world breaker in it. Rather, I seek to be a healthier Human + Being, and the learning there in hopes that I am doing my part, just like Ryan, to be a Light and inspiration wherever I traverse.

During the pandemic, when we were all disconnected, Ryan and I reconnected through Clubhouse, which also led me to meet Uncle Keikilani and so many more. It was during this time that I got to really hear and learn more about the spiritual views and teachings that Ryan brings with him into every room her enters. He’s a reminder to walk with Aloha, because if we do so, we will will add Light and be that inspiration.

Fast forward and another role played in all of this, Ryan was the officiant for our recent wedding. I’m very honored to to know this incredible Human + Being as a friend, colleague, and guide.

With that, I’m super stoked for this ‘ike bomb (to quote Uncle John ‘Prime’ Hina) from Ryan Kealii Souza!

Enjoy.

Please share a little bit about who you are and what you do? 

Who you are and what you do don’t always reflect the same person.  I had to adjust what I did over the years to find the right mix to match who I am. 

That being said, I am a spiritualist ordained with Science of Living and soon with Barbara King School of Ministry; both are “New Thought” ministerial schools which focuses on the teachings of the Bible but can also utilize spiritual teachings from all religions and philosophies that we can apply to practical living.  It is the metaphysics of everything. 

I am an Ambassador of Aloha.  I share Aloha with others through a few different methods: 

• Being a minister I get to dive into the meaning of Aloha often with every sermon, wedding, or blessing I am able to perform;

• I share Aloha through my singing at different venues including the Tihati Luaus on Oahu and often on the other islands.  With every luau I have a window of opportunity to introduce the truth of Aloha with our guests from all over the world. 

• Through my artwork I am able to share Aloha in the projects I am commissioned to do, or in the expressions of ideas only accessible through art. 

I am Ryan Kealii Souza.  I do my best to re-present Aloha in everything I do. 

As a Native Hawaiian, how do you weave your culture into your work?

That’s an interesting question to me.  Although I am more than 50% Hawaiian I am not necessarily a practitioner of our culture in the way of performing Hula, ‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i, or in other specific expertise that would be considered our cultural practice.  I have never been a part of a hālau where I experienced ‘Uniki. 

I do however incorporate my understanding of Aloha in everything I do. 

Through my relationships, music, story-telling, artwork, as a father, husband, reverend, and being of humanity I am always aware of the responsibility I carry to be an example of Aloha. 

Why is working on your spiritual life important?

Ooh I love this question!

So in our Hawaiian structure of Lōkahi we work towards a balance of Kanaka (People), ‘Aina (land and sea), and Akua (God or gods) all three are vitally important to complete us. 

We cannot exist without one or the other, so we must acknowledge all three. 

Our ancestors understood their relationship to nature so well and understood that life energy is always in existence and that there is never really an end to anything.  We can move from our physical being to our spiritual being and always remain an integral part of the expanded ‘ohana. 

When we understand that we are connected to all things past, present and future then we begin to understand our role and responsibility to tell the stories of our Kupuna, to share the beautiful concepts of how we are woven together, to share Aloha with the world because everything we do here and now will affect all that is to come. 

To be spiritual is not to be religious.  To be spiritual is to know that everything has its place and we are a part of all of it. 

Nana Veary quotes in Change We Must, “The only problem facing us in life is our belief in separation from the source; if we solve that then we solve all our problems.” 

We are not separate from other humans, nature, or the gods!  We are all connected! Our humanness (consciousness, ego) can often prevent us from seeing and experiencing who we really are.  

It could be argued that there has always been some degree of chaos in life.  Do the complexities of today's world make it harder for people to invest in their spirituality?

We need to use it all to come to a deeper understanding of why we are even here and determine what is our role within the balance of everything. 

Chaos is also a part of nature; it is why the Grand Canyon is so Grand.  It is why we stand in awe at the most beautiful things in nature not giving a second thought to the chaos the earth had to go through to achieve this beauty! We take it all for granted and want only the beauty. 

Finding the balance in chaos will always demand we take a deeper look at all aspects of our lives especially the spiritual and determine what must be altered or shifted to withstand the turbulence.  Again, we must keep in mind that being spiritual is not to be confused with being religious.  I think that religions are too confining because we need to conform to a very rigid system of belief where so much of what would free us is meant to stifle us or create separation or bondage.

Being spiritual is being connected to all things at the same time; to know that there is no separation, to be free. 

Some people will take longer than others to come to this understanding.  They will go down many different paths to find themselves, yet it can be as simple as talking and listening to the trees, the ocean, the animals; to breathe in their essence and know that they are a part of you and you a part of them.  To find the connection and harmony is being spiritual.  

How would you define spirituality in your words?

[Laughs] I think I answered this in the previous questions. 

To me spirituality is such a beautiful expression of who we are meant to be as divine creatures in balance with everything that exists throughout the universe past, present and future. 

If I believe that there is truly no separation, then this must apply to the entire Universe or multi-verses throughout all of time.  I am a part of everything animate and inanimate; and my life essence and energy will never end but is rather transformed from one thing to another. 

Now my goal is to have this understanding and be able to infuse all of it with Aloha.  If we know that to live and be Aloha is to give all of ourselves to others; to make sure we are taking care of one another and lifting each other up above the chaos, filling this world with so much kindness and love then we are truly living a spiritual life with purpose!

ALOHA is to live a spiritual life:

Akahai- Kindness to be expressed with Tenderness
Lōkahi- Unity to be expressed with Harmony
‘Olu ‘olu- Agreeable to be expressed with Pleasantness
Ha’a ha’a- Humility to be expressed with Modesty
Ahonui- Patience to be expressed with Perseverance
                                                  - Pilahi Paki

If we can mindfully live this way daily then we are on the right path physically, mentally, and spiritually. 

What's the best a-ha that you've had this year?

I don’t know if this is “the best” but it is the most important a-ha moment for sure.  Having a sense of urgency to share Aloha has never been stronger for me. 

I (We) have to do everything we can to share the meaning of Aloha now! 

This is the time that Aunty Pilahi Paki was speaking about when she prophesied that in the 21st century the world will be in turmoil and they would turn to Hawai‘i for the answer found only in Aloha. 

Here we are, a world in turmoil in the 21st century.  The world is crying out for help, for balance, for understanding, for connection all found within Aloha.  My a-ha moment was coming to the realization that I am running out of time in my physical body to get this message out to the world. 

I am 51 soon to be 52 and my clock continues to tic, so I have dedicated the rest of my life to sharing and teaching Aloha with the world through all that I do. 

There is a lot of work to be done!

Favorite Ice Cream?

Chocolate is usually my favorite.  It reminds me of my childhood. However, there are many new flavors now that is just crazy!! I think Ube or Haupia are close seconds.

Closing thoughts?

It is not for me to make sure the world gets it, but it is necessary for me to be the best example in word and deed regarding Aloha; to make sure I back up everything with consistency and honesty as I share the message. 

Those that will resonate with the importance of being Aloha will become teachers, practitioners and ambassadors who will carry out that message of Aloha for many generations.

This will bring the change the world so desperately needs.  It begins with each of us understanding Aloha within ourselves, our families, our communities, eventually the world. 

Thank you so much for allowing me to share my insight on spirituality and more so of Aloha. 

Remember there is no separation from the source! 

Much mahalo to Ryan for his time and being a part of Soul HI People! Learn more about Ryan and keep of up with his work.

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