Hawaiian Culture

Hōkūleʻa’s worldwide voyages are far more than just sailing expeditions; they represent a profound reconnection of Hawaiians to their Polynesian roots, revitalizing cultural identity, and inspiring a new generation to embrace traditional knowledge and wayfinding practices. This incredible journey has rekindled a sense of pride and purpose, demonstrating the power of ancestral wisdom in navigating both the ocean and the challenges of the modern world. The Dream Takes Shape: Building Hōkūleʻa The seeds of Hōkūleʻa were planted in the early 1970s, a time when Hawaiian culture faced increasing marginalization. Herb Kane, a renowned artist and historian, and Ben Finney,

The rhythmic thud of wooden beaters striking bark fibers once carried across Hawaiian valleys, a sound so distinctive that some scholars believe early Hawaiians used it to communicate news and messages between communities. This was the sound of kapa being made — an art form that transformed the inner bark of the wauke tree into cloth imbued with spiritual power, social meaning, and ancestral memory. Today, that sound is heard again in workshops and backyards across the islands, as a new generation of practitioners revives a tradition that was nearly lost in the nineteenth century. “He who takes his

The Hawaiian language, ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, faced near extinction after the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom in 1893 and subsequent bans on its use in schools and government. However, a dedicated revival movement, fueled by the passion and determination of native speakers and cultural advocates, has brought the language back from the brink, ensuring its survival for future generations. This article explores the multifaceted efforts driving the Hawaiian language revival, highlighting the challenges, successes, and ongoing initiatives crucial to preserving this cultural treasure. The Suppression and Near Demise of ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi The story of the Hawaiian language is deeply intertwined

Hawaiian music, known as “Na Mele,” isn’t just a collection of beautiful sounds. It’s a powerful guardian of Hawaiian history, culture, and traditions. It’s a living, breathing record passed down through generations, weaving stories of creation, love, loss, and the deep connection between the Hawaiian people and their ‘āina (land). The melodies and lyrics preserve invaluable aspects of Hawaiian language, genealogy, mythology, and social customs, ensuring their survival even when facing significant cultural shifts. The Oral Tradition & The Power of Song Before written language became widespread in Hawai’i, ‘ōlelo (language) was the primary means of transmitting knowledge. Na

At the Polynesian Cultural Center in Lāʻie on Oʻahu’s north shore, a working loʻi kalo — a flooded taro patch — sits at the heart of the Hawaiian cultural village. It is not decorative. The four loʻi sections are planted, harvested, and replanted on a cycle that has been maintained since Lono Logan took over as keeper of the kalo plants in 2017, using methods he learned from his grandmother and from teacher Jerry Konanui, who passed down practices developed by mahiʻai (farmers) across eight generations of cultivation. Standing beside a working loʻi, it’s easier to understand why kalo

In 2026, Hawaii’s public schools will begin serving poi every week — 15,000 to 20,000 pounds of the fermented taro paste across 258 campuses. The state’s superintendent, Dr. Leilani Kai, called it “about identity” as much as food, aiming to “bring our past into the present.” But the announcement also raised a quieter question: what exactly is being served, and what does it mean to call something poi? The kalo plant is not just an ingredient. In Hawaiian tradition, it is the elder sibling of the Hawaiian people — a relationship rooted in the story of Hāloa. Emily’s Take

On the Big Island, the ground doesn’t just sit still. It shifts, steams, and occasionally reshapes the coastline overnight. That’s Pele’s domain — the volcano goddess whose presence is felt from the summit of Kīlauea to the black sand beaches below. Hawaiian mythology isn’t a collection of old stories tucked away in museums. It’s a living framework that explains why the earth trembles, when to plant taro, and how to navigate by the stars. For anyone spending time in the islands, understanding these stories changes what you see when you look at a lava field or hear the surf

On a visit to the Bishop Museum in Honolulu, I watched a kupuna explain the taro plant’s life cycle to a group of children. She traced the stem to the root, then pointed to the corm — the heart of the plant — and said, “This is where we come from.” She was not teaching botany. She was describing ‘ohana. The word itself derives from ‘oha, the shoot of the taro plant (kalo), which Hawaiians regard as an ancestor. In Hawaiian society, ‘ohana promotes a deep sense of connectedness, support, and belonging — and it extends far beyond blood

Lei making in Hawaii is more than just stringing flowers; it’s an art form deeply intertwined with the islands’ culture, history, and spirit of aloha. Each lei tells a story, conveying love, respect, celebration, or even farewell through the careful selection and arrangement of flowers, leaves, and shells. It’s a tangible expression of Hawaiian values, passed down through generations. A History Woven in Petals The origins of lei making in Hawaii are ancient, predating Western contact. Early Hawaiians used materials readily available in their environment – flowers, leaves, seeds, nuts, shells, feathers, and even bones – to create adornments

Standing at the edge of the imu pit at King Kamehameha Kona Beach Resort, watching smoke curl up from beneath a mound of banana leaves, it struck me that this moment had been rehearsed for centuries. The whole pig buried underground since early morning was not a spectacle staged for tourists — it was a continuation of something far older and considerably more layered than most luau brochures bother to explain. If you are trying to decide which Hawaiian luau is worth your time, or simply want to understand what you are actually attending when you go, this guide