Hawaii

On a ridge above the Kaʻanapali coast, the boulder called Pohaku o Kāne sits in plain sight, yet most visitors pass it without a second glance. Local tradition holds that this stone marks one of the places where the god Kāne, creator of freshwater, stopped to rest. The story is part of a much larger body of knowledge — moʻolelo — that, in the words of one scholar, forms a “contemporized (post-eighteenth century) cultural practice resulting from the longer-standing tradition of haku (composing, including strictly oral compositions) and kākau (imprinting, writing).” These narratives are not simply myths to be

In June 2022, when the voyaging canoe Hōkūleʻa arrived in Yakutat, Alaska, the Tlingit tribe performed a traditional canoe welcoming ceremony that had not been practiced in over a hundred years. That moment, documented by the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, captures something essential about Hawaiian wayfinding. It is not a museum piece or a tourist attraction. It is a living, evolving practice that connects communities across the Pacific — and it begins with a mental tool called the Hawaiian star compass. This article investigates what the Hawaiian star compass actually is, how it works, and why

Imagine a world where healing comes not just from pills and procedures, but from the very earth beneath your feet and the wisdom passed down through generations. That’s the essence of La’au Lapa’au, the traditional Hawaiian healing practice that intertwines ancient knowledge, spirituality, and the natural resources of the islands. It’s a whole lot more than just herbal remedies; it’s a holistic approach to well-being that considers the interconnectedness of body, mind, and spirit. So, let’s dive in and explore the fascinating world of La’au Lapa’au! What Exactly Is La’au Lapa’au? La’au Lapa’au, simply put, means “plant medicine.” But