Hawaii

In Hawaiian culture, ‘Ohana isn’t just a word; it’s the very foundation upon which society is built. It signifies a deep, encompassing sense of family that extends far beyond blood relations. This concept permeates every aspect of life, influencing values, traditions, and daily interactions. The Expansive Definition of ‘Ohana What truly sets ‘Ohana apart is its inclusive nature. It’s not limited to immediate family members like parents, siblings, and children. ‘Ohana encompasses grandparents (kūpuna), aunts, uncles, cousins, and even close friends, adopted family members (hānai), and community members who are embraced as part of the extended family. This interconnectedness

In 1852, the first shipload of Chinese laborers arrived in Honolulu Harbor, bound for sugar plantations that would, over the next century, transform Hawaiʻi more dramatically than any volcanic eruption. By the time the plantation system wound down in the mid-twentieth century, roughly 350,000 people had been recruited, coerced, or trafficked from China, Japan, Portugal, Korea, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines to work the cane and pineapple fields. The islands they left behind looked nothing like the ones they found. Between 1850 and 1950, approximately 350,000 people were recruited, coerced, or trafficked to Hawaiʻi for plantation labor — a

On the Kohala Coast of the Big Island, the massive stone platform of Puʻukoholā Heiau rises from the dry landscape, a structure built by Kamehameha the Great that played a pivotal role in his campaign to unify the Hawaiian Islands. These temples, known as heiau, were far more than places of worship — they served as political centers, agricultural hubs, and places of refuge, forming the backbone of pre-contact Hawaiian society. This guide covers the different types of heiau you can visit across the islands, what to look for when you arrive, and how to approach these sites with