Congratulations to KraneShares, an ETF company delivering China-focused investment strategies. I am grateful for the invitation and opportunity to celebrate among Krane Fund Advisors' principals, family and friends by ringing The Opening Bell® to mark the July 23, 2013 launch of the KraneShares CSI China Five-Year Plan ETF (NYSE Arca: KFYP).
As advocates of investing in the Service Sector, we at Runnymede are intrigued by this ETF because it focuses on companies in the targeted sectors of China's 12th Five-Year Plan, including technology, domestic consumption, clean energy, industrial and healthcare. In contrast, other China benchmarks are often dominated by financial, energy, and telecom sectors and by large, state-owned enterprises.
Why the Shaka?
Hawaiians use the shaka to convey the “Aloha Spirit”, a concept of friendship, understanding, compassion, and solidarity. Today without premeditation, during the intense 60-second excitement of the Opening Bell festivities, I was suddenly inspired to share a spontaneous shaka at the New York Stock Exchange – the financial epicenter of the world. Perhaps counterintuitive to the fast pace of Wall Street, I strongly believe that the aloha spirit has a place. We all need it and can benefit from it. Additionally, I find my symbol of aloha today to be particularly timely on the eve of September 11th, a time of remembrance and reflection.
My passion for Hawaiian music has opened doors to a beautiful culture and opportunities to connect with many amazing people. In my studies to be a better musician, I learned about “The Aloha Spirit Law,” an actual law on the books in Hawaiʻi, which I would like to share with you. It can be applied to your life and how you conduct business. It makes me think of HuffPost's Third Metric, an initiative to redefine success beyond money and power, to include well-being, wisdom, our ability to wonder and our ability to make a difference in the world. Music has the power to break down boundaries and overcome distances between people. I believe that Hawaiian music not only makes me a better person but a better investment manager. Those in financial services should be obligated to do good, not evil.
The Aloha Spirit Law
- 5-7.5 “Aloha Spirit”. (a) “Aloha Spirit” is the coordination of mind and heart within each person. It brings each person to the self. Each person must think and emote good feelings to others. In the contemplation and presence of the life force, “Aloha”, the following unuhi laulā loa may be used:
“Akahai“, meaning kindness to be expressed with tenderness;
“Lōkahi“, meaning unity, to be expressed with harmony;
“ʻOluʻolu“ meaning agreeable, to be expressed with pleasantness;
“Haʻahaʻa“, meaning humility, to be expressed with modesty;
“Ahonui“, meaning patience, to be expressed with perseverance.
These are traits of character that express the charm, warmth and sincerity of Hawaii's people. It was the working philosophy of native Hawaiians and was presented as a gift to the people of Hawaiʻi. ”Aloha” is more than a word of greeting or farewell or a salutation. ”Aloha” means mutual regard and affection and extends warmth in caring with no obligation in return. “Aloha” is the essence of relationships in which each person is important to every other person for collective existence. ”Aloha” means to hear what is not said, to see what cannot be seen and to know the unknowable.
Click here for the full statute.
I hope that you will join me in sharing a shaka. Share aloha no matter where you are. What begins as a small gesture can grow into something larger. I send my sincere aloha to you. Live Aloha!
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