Hawaii

Beyond the sun-kissed beaches and swaying palm trees, lies the heart of Hawaii: Ohana. More than just “family” in the English sense, Ohana is a deeply interwoven concept of kinship, community, and unwavering support that permeates every aspect of Hawaiian culture. It’s the foundation upon which traditions are built, decisions are made, and generations are connected. Understanding Ohana is key to truly experiencing the spirit of Aloha and connecting with the “real” Hawaii. Unpacking the Meaning of Ohana: More Than Just Blood Relations So what exactly is Ohana? At its core, it’s about more than just blood ties. While

The 32nd annual Made in Hawaiʻi Festival draws roughly 70,000 shoppers to the Hawaiʻi Convention Center each August, generating an estimated $10 million in sales for participating businesses. Every product sold under the festival’s banner must be grown, produced, or significantly manufactured in the islands — a rule enforced by the Hawaiʻi Food Industry Association (HFIA), which has run the event since 1995. That strict sourcing policy raises a larger question for anyone interested in Hawaiian crafts: what does “Made in Hawaiʻi” actually mean, and how can a visitor meaningfully support the artisans who create these goods? An estimated

In 2025, the Oʻahu Point-in-Time Count recorded that adults aged 60 and older made up 19 percent of people experiencing homelessness on the island — a figure that challenges the common image of the revered elder in Hawaiian society. That statistic, published by Civil Beat, sits at the center of a difficult question this article takes seriously: what does it mean to honor kūpuna — elders — when the systems meant to support them are underfunded, and when the cultural ideal of care within ʻohana (family) runs up against the reality of a housing crisis? Kūpuna age 60 and