Hawaiian Culture

On a quiet morning in the islands, you might find a lei maker sitting with a pile of crown flower buds, twisting each stem with a care that has little to do with the finished product. The act itself — selecting, bending, threading — carries weight. Langi, a lei maker featured in a BYU–Hawaii cultural piece, describes the practice as a way to show aloha: something done purely from the heart, using any part of the flower — bud, stem, petal, or leaf. This article covers what goes into that practice, the plants involved, the ecological pressures on them,

In 1882, ʻIolani Palace was completed in Honolulu, a building that ran with electric lights and telephones before the White House had either. It was the seat of the Hawaiian Kingdom, a sovereign nation recognized by the United States and European powers. That same palace sits today in the center of Honolulu, a museum, but also a reminder of a question that still hangs in the air: how did a unified, internationally recognized kingdom, founded by a single chief in 1810, fall to a coup led by a handful of American businessmen just 83 years later? The Hawaiian Kingdom

Pele, the Hawaiian volcano goddess, is more than just a figure in a myth; she’s a living embodiment of power, creation, and destruction intricately woven into the fabric of Hawaiian culture. Understanding Pele and the myths surrounding her provides a deep dive into the cultural heart of the islands, shaping how Hawaiians view their land, their relationships, and their very existence. This exploration unveils her multifaceted nature, her family dynamics, sacred sites, and enduring influence—offering a profound appreciation for Hawaiian traditions. Let’s journey together through the captivating world of Pele, uncovering the stories, meanings, and continuing impact of this

The cool, misty air of Waiahole Valley on Oahu’s Windward side often greets taro farmers before sunrise. Their day begins not with a cup of coffee, but with a check of the ‘auwai, the intricate network of traditional irrigation ditches that feed the lo‘i, the terraced wetland fields where kalo, or taro, grows. This ancient crop is more than just a food source; it’s considered the root of Hawaiian culture, deeply intertwined with mythology and sustenance. Ancient Hawaiian farmers may have used sophisticated engineering techniques to grow taro as far back as 800 years ago. This article delves into

In 1830, Queen Kaʻahumanu, acting under the influence of Protestant missionaries who had arrived in Hawaiʻi a decade earlier, issued an edict banning public hula performances. The dance they deemed a pagan ritual did not disappear. It retreated into caves, sugarcane fields, and remote villages, taught in secret by kumu hula (teachers) who kept the tradition alive without a written language to preserve it. When King David Laʻamea Kalākaua ascended the throne in 1874, he made it his mission to restore what had been driven underground. At his Silver Jubilee in 1886, chanters and dancers performed publicly for the

The first time I stood at the Kukaniloko Birthing Stones on Oahu, I had to sit down. Not from the heat — from the weight of what I was standing on. Eighteen basalt stones, arranged in a rough rectangle near Wahiawa, mark the spot where pregnant Hawaiian royalty once gave birth under the gaze of assembled chiefs. The site’s possible astronomical function is still debated by archaeologists. It’s not on any bus route. It’s not signposted from the highway. And that’s exactly the point. This article is for curious travelers who want to find Hawaii’s real cultural depth —

In 1986, Hawaiʻi became the only U.S. state to codify a spiritual concept into law: the Aloha Spirit. Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes §5-7.5 defines it as “each person’s mutual regard and affection for the other person with warmth in caring with no obligation in return” and requires state officials to conduct themselves accordingly. That law raises an immediate question: what does it mean to “live aloha” — not as a slogan on a souvenir T-shirt, but as a daily practice with roots in Hawaiian epistemology? For visitors and residents alike, the phrase can feel abstract, even appropriated. This guide breaks

In 2024, Hawaiian Bros Island Grill, a chain founded in Oregon with over 60 locations, trademarked the phrase “aloha spirit.” The backlash from Native Hawaiians was swift — and the company surrendered the mark by February 2025. That trademark fight is a single snapshot of a much larger question: Who gets to define, use, and profit from Hawaiian culture in the 21st century? The answer is being contested in courtrooms, newsrooms, art studios, and on the slopes of Mauna Kea. This article traces the challenges — from legal appropriation to media erasure — and the triumphs, including language revitalization,

The roar of the Pacific is a constant soundtrack to life in Hawaii, but beneath the surface of its famed beaches lies a history as deep and powerful as the ocean itself. Surfing, or heʻe nalu as it was known to the ancient Hawaiians, is more than just a sport here; it’s a spiritual practice, a cultural cornerstone, and a way of life that has shaped the islands and influenced the world. From the aliʻi (chiefs) who once rode waves with regal grace to the modern athletes pushing the boundaries of wave riding, Hawaii remains the undisputed birthplace of

Tattoos in ancient Hawaiian culture, known as kakau, were much more than mere decoration. They were profound declarations of identity, genealogy, status, and spiritual connection. These intricate markings served as visual stories etched onto the skin, narrating the life journey of an individual and their place within the complex social and spiritual tapestry of Hawaiian society. The art of kakau was a sacred practice, imbued with mana (spiritual power), and performed by skilled artisans deeply knowledgeable in both the artistry and the cultural significance of each design. The Sacred Art of Kakau: More Than Just Ink The process of