#aloha poke co

Native Hawaiians from across the nation will participate in a series of protests over the next week against what organizers are calling “aggressive efforts” by Aloha Poke Company “to assert ownership over the Native Hawaiian word ‘aloha.'”

The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement began exploring legal options against Chicago-based business Aloha Poke Co. after the mainland chain attempted to enforce a trademark on the name.

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs issued a statement today saying it is “appalled” by the Chicago-based Aloha Pokē (sic) Company’s recent attempts to “assert control over ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi,” the traditional language of the native people of Hawaiʻi.

Lei’s Poke Stop co-owner Tasha Kahele said she was “offended” by the cease and desist letter that was received on May 17, 2018.  “We learned growing up that ‘aloha’ is to be lived (right), to be given, to be shared, and not restricted.  So I couldn’t wrap my brain around how that was happening…