For countless generations, the sound of the pū* would broadcast the arrival of Ali’i*, the beginning of protocols, the coming of canoes, and the setting or rising of the sun. It was even used to call Ke Akua*! In more modern times, it calls a gathering to attention at the beginning of an event, blesses… Read more »
Tag: Hawaiian Culture
Poke Is Hawaiian Comfort Food That Spreads Delight to the World
One day around lunchtime you suddenly have a craving for some Poke (poh-kay). In Hawai’i, you would say: “I am so ono for Poke!” Your friends would immediately understand and probably agree with you. Someone in the group would set off for the neighborhood market and pick up some fresh Poke, perhaps a few Poke… Read more »
Start Your Day With a Home Grown Great Cup of Coffee on Maui
Someone found out that I had once lived on an old coffee plantation on the Big Island. So, they asked me, “How did coffee end up being grown in Hawai’i?” As I pondered this question, I thought about when going to get a good cup of coffee at a cafe on Maui was a rare… Read more »
Top 5 Favorite Hawai’i Subscription Boxes for 2022
Subscription Box Companies began in 2004. One of the earliest examples of these companies was called The Sampler. It offered samples of products from independent web-based artists, crafters, zines, and specialty shops. The early subscription box business model worked like this: The company sends you a package every month or 3 (depending… Read more »
Celebrating Over 130 Years of Japanese Bon Dance in Hawai’i
Bon Odori, AKA Bon Dance, originally from Japan, has been a Hawaiian tradition for over 130 years. Bon Odori is a style of folk dance performed at festivals in Japan during the Obon season. Deeply important and influential in Japanese culture, Obon is as important as other cultures’ New Years celebrations. The Obon season in… Read more »
Every May, Focus Is on a Great Achievement – Diverse Cultural Heritage
In many of our blogs, we talk about the preservation of all things Hawaiian. If the preservation work had not begun decades ago, we would not know all the beautiful things about Hawai’i that we know now. So much would have been lost forever. Beginning in the late 1940s, a small group came together in… Read more »
May Day in Hawai’i Represents an Age-Old Custom – Here Are 3 Exquisite Lei Flowers
The May Day holiday was started long ago as a festival to celebrate the return of Spring in the northern hemisphere. The earliest known May Day celebrations appeared with the Festival of Flora in Rome. Side note: Flora or Floralia is the Roman Goddess of Flowers. The early Roman festivals also celebrated Dionysis and Aphrodite… Read more »
May in Maui – Enjoy Springtime, Mother’s Day, and Magic
Like most places in the world, springtime in May is an exceptionally wonderful time of the year in Maui. However, people who have not spent any significant time in Hawai’i imagine that the whole year must feel like springtime. Which is not really true. Summer is a little hotter with slightly longer days, and winter… Read more »
3 Reasons Why The Road to Hana is Recognized Around the World
We get this question ALL the time – why should we go all the way to Hana? What is so special about The Road to Hana? Perhaps you’re not sure you really want to go there? Maybe you want to go but don’t know how to convince a family member who questions the whole thing…. Read more »
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 »