American Girl announced the debut of its newest BeForever character, Nanea Mitchell—a Hawaiian girl growing up in Honolulu, Hawaii, in 1941, last week.

Nanea shares her stories with the aloha spirit, which is taking care of friends and neighbors. This is an important message presently as our nation is experiencing some difficulties.

American Girl Doll New BeForever Character

Nanea Mitchell

Nanea’s story focuses on life in the aftermath of the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Nanea illuminates for girls today the courage and aloha spirit of islanders whose home-front experience during World War Two was unlike that of mainland Americans. In creating the Nanea books and product collection, American Girl worked closely with a five-member advisory board—including an eye witness to the Pearl Harbor attack—who provided their expertise in Hawaiian culture and history to inform all aspects of Nanea’s development.

There are currently three book with Nanea Mitchell:

• Growing Up with Aloha: A Nanea Classic 1

• Hula for the Homefront: A Nanea Classic 2

• Prints in the Sand: My Journey with Nanea

ALOHA SPIRIT

Nanea's message is one of love and compassion. Her stories share the aloha spirit, which is taking care of friends and neighbors. Aloha means love, kindness, grace, hospitality, unity, compassion, mercy, sympathy, and charity. Aloha is very often a greeting or parting words to new friends and to old friends. The aloha spirit is literally a part of everything in Hawaii. people cook with aloha, they eat with aloha, and they really live with aloha. The communities of people in Hawaii live their lives with love. I personally can't think of a better message to spread!

NANEA MITCHELL

Nanea Mitchell is a beautiful doll. She is the standard 18" American Girl doll with hazel eyes and gorgeous long dark brown hair. My daughters love her hair because it is super long like theirs. She arrives in an adorable outfit, a button-front pake blouse and sailor-style shorts with sandals. There are numerous accessories available like a handbag, school outfit and school lunch that includes sushi! There is also a hula outfit and hulu implements (a ukulele, lauhala bag, kala'au sticks etc), a holoku dress, her pet dog, Mele, pjs for Nanea and the pjs are also available for girls, a bed and Hawaiian quilt.

In addition, there is also a swimsuit and fishing set and Nanea's family market that includes 90 pieces of food and supplies that are authentic to the 1940's.

ALOHA SERVICE

Tied to Nanea’s debut, American Girl is supporting the American Red Cross and their Service to the Armed Forces mission to provide care and comfort to members of the military, veterans, and their families. From 8/21 to December 31, 2017, American Girl will match any customer donation, up to $75,000 maximum, made at americangirl.com or at any American Girl store in the U.S.  American Girl is also giving $575,000 worth of its signature 18-inch dolls to the American Red Cross to provide a bit of cheer to children in times of crisis.

I have created this amazing set of Hawaiian printables that share the message of living a life of Ahona.

AMERICAN GIRL EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

Nanea Island Inspiration Sweepstakes: American Girl has partnered with Visit Oahu on a sweepstakes for the chance to win a fun-filled family getaway for four to Oahu, which includes round-trip travel on Hawaiian Airlines, a four-night stay at The Royal Hawaiian, tickets for four to the Aha Aina Luau Show, a visit to two attractions at Pearl Harbor, and a Nanea doll.

Nanea Retail Events: Check out your local American Girl’s retail stores for any special events to introduce girls to Nanea’s world in 1941 Hawaii. Girls can enjoy a hula demonstration, a fun free craft, a doll drawstring bag giveaway, and a chance to win a Nanea doll. Nanea-themed events will also be held at the American Girl stores throughout the year.

Nanea Videos and Online Play: Behind-the-scenes videos on Nanea’s story and development, along with fun Hawaiian-themed craft and activity videos, are available on American Girl’s YouTube channel at YouTube.com/americangirl. Girls can also visit the Nanea-dedicated site at americangirl.com/PlayNanea for book excerpts, games and quizzes, wallpaper, and much more.  

The next time you greet a new friend or a loved one, hold the Aloha spirit close to your heart ad create a beautiful world around yourself like Nanea.