5 Hawaiian Customs That Will Enhance Your Appreciation of Hawai’i

  One of the things the residents of Hawai’i love most about our Island Home is the rich, multicultural traditions and customs. We share these customs with our friends, neighbors, and communities. Whether it’s the 4th generation Japanese, making hand-made mochi for the New Year, or the Dragon Dance for the Chinese New Year,  there are… Read more »

Hōkūleʻa – Taking Care of the Earth

Old etching of double hulled Tahitian canoes.

The Hōkūleʻa Epic Voyage –  Mālama Honua: To Care For Our Earth The idea for this epic voyage began with a very unusual phone call. Nainoa Thompson, aboard  Hōkūleʻa, spoke via satellite phone to Lacy Veach who was aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia. Nainoa, aboard Hōkūleʻa, was sailing from Rarotonga to Honolulu and Lacy was… Read more »

Hōkūleʻa Is the Pride of Hawaiian People Everywhere

Old etching of double hulled Tahitian canoes.

The magnitude of the great, double-hulled ocean-going vessel, Hōkūleʻa, launching on her maiden voyage on March 8, 1975, cannot be overstated. It was a monumental event for all people of Hawaiian ancestry worldwide. This single event gave a burst of energy back into the Hawaiian culture and a tremendous upsurge in pride.  Hōkūleʻa was launched… Read more »

Sweet Sounds of Aloha – Suddenly Magic Began!

Ocean and ukulele player, surfers in the background

Hawaiian music is every bit as indigenous and aboriginal to the island chain as the crashing surf and thunderous volcanoes. Each part of our globe has its own unique landscape. This tends to shape its culture; be it music, art, food, dance, or any creative expression. So what would people get if they evolved for… Read more »

See Majestic Humpback Whales When You are on Maui

Their Hawaiian name is Koholā* The humpback’s high status in Hawaiian culture has been made clear in the Kumulipo*.  This creation chant announces the birth of the whale near the beginning, in the second section. That is a very high ranking in a 2,102 line chant.  Hanau ka palaoa noho i kai  — born is… Read more »

Maui Will Soothe Your Soul – 7 Easy Fun Things

When your plane touches down in Maui, after a long flight, there is only one thing on your mind – warm, soft sand between your toes and jumping in the ocean! It will soothe your kinks and wash your concerns away instantly. That is a fact! That is only one thing of many that will… Read more »