Hawaiian Culture

Hula, Hawaiian dances, has had changes in its roles and meanings. In the past, hula had many roles in the Hawaiian culture. As Indigenous cultures around the world often have sacred dances, hula was also sacred and religious dance to the Hawaiian. Indeed, hula was

Specific Purpose: To inform my audience about the significance of kalo in traditional Hawaiian society and modern society of Hawaii.

The annexationist put bands on practices such as, ‘olelo Hawai'i (Hawaiian language) and hula, taking away everything that had formed the identity of Hawai‘i and it’s people. “Children were harshly punished for speaking Hawaiian in school. At Kamehameha schools, even the letters of boarders to their parents were opened to censor use of Hawaiian” (‘Aha Pūnana Leo). The discrimination of the Native Hawaiian culture created a world where Hawaiian children grew up ashamed and confused about their own traditional practices. Over time Hawaiians have been able to revive tradition and language. Practitioners have brought back native practices in hopes to just preserve Hawaiian culture. Hula and Hawaiian music became popular during World War II because of the booming tourism industry. The melting pot of the Pacific has drawn visitors from around the world. According to the Hawaii Tourism Authority, in their 2015 Annual Visitor Research Report, a record total of 8,679,564 visitors arrived by air or by cruise ships to the Hawaiian Islands in 2015 (p 2). Some visitors have come and decided to make Hawai‘i their home. This multiculturalism has been proved to be a great obstacle for Hawaiian culture. In an interview with Napua Nakasone, she describes her experience in attending a public discussion about the Kuahu (Hawaiian altar), there she sat on the discussion panel. “I expected to see Hawaiians

Hawaiian is unique among the fifty states, especially in regards to its native music form, which is still preformed, and captivates audiences even today. Hawaiian chanting, music, and dance are not only key parts of life on the island, but have also become cultural icons as well as profound symbols of nature and religion in Hawaii. Hawaii has a rich history, beginning with the early settlers from Polynesia who brought their traditions and religions to Hawaii. Over the years, the inhabitants took those traditions and adapted them to their new home, creating the definitive culture that, even with Western influences, still is a captivating force within the society.

The Hawaiians' adoration for their craft, custom, and society can be seen in different celebrations celebrated for the presentation and development of Hawaiian workmanship and society. One of these renowned festivals is the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival. This celebration is a week-long festival. The occasion includes workmanship displays, create fairs, exhibitions, exhibitions, parades flaunting the rich society of Hawaii, and the Hula rivalry, which goes on for quite a long time.

The word Aloha in the Hawaiian culture can mean hello or goodbye. It also means love and affection. This word is also used as a symbol, not just any old word, and I will tell you why. The literal meaning of aloha is “the presence of breath” or “the breath of life.” It comes from “Alo,” meaning presence, front and face, and “ha,” meaning breath. Aloha is a way of living and treating each other with love and respect. There is also a law in Hawaii called the Aloha Law. By definition, it is the coordination of mind and heart within each person. It brings each person to the self. Each person must think and emote good feelings to others. In the contemplation and presence of the life force. You must treat people with this spirit, or else you will be looked down upon. There are four major gods looked upon in Hawaii. They are: Ku, Loon, Kane, and Kanaloa. There is also Pele, Hina, Laka, Kuula, Papa, and Poliahu. Kane is the father of living creatures. Ku is the God of war. Kanaloa is the god of the underworld and the teacher of magic. Lono is the god of agriculture. Pele is the goddess of lighting, wind, fire, and volcanoes. Hina is the goddess of the moon. Laka is the goddess of hula. Kuula is the god of fishermen. Papa is the fertility mother, and the earth mother. Poliahu is one of the four goddesses of snow. She is Pele’s

The Hawaiians believed in the existence of spirits who would come back to torment them if not treated with the required respect. This is the main reason why they treat the bones of the dead with utmost respect. The spirits would take the shape of humans and are able to communicate with the living. They are viewed as being powerful since the living cannot attack or control the life but they are able to manipulate the living to perform certain things.

Sports played a big part in Hawaiian culture because it was in a time designated for peace. “Chieftains and the koa warriors all competed in Olympic style games during the Makahiki Festival that tested their abilities.” (Mythic Hawaii) “The Makahiki Festival was celebrated annually during the four lunar months of October to February or November to March.” (robertshawaii)

When Hawaii is mention to any group, people generally tend to think about its performances, food, and environment. This is because Hawaii has maintained such an original culture that is so closely related to its indigenous people, that it stands out amongst the rest of the states. Due to the fact that Hawaii is a combination of immigrants and indigenous people, the blend allows the state to have an acculturation of many of its elements while preserving their cultural heritage. Amongst what is so beloved in their traditions, hula has maintained of vital part of Hawaiian customs overtime. Hula is performed in various other places as well including but not limited to many of the islands that are encompassed in Polynesia.

Is there a specific language spoken there? What is the true meaning behind hula dancers, leis, and some of their clothing? My final question was how did these traditions start and are they still being carried out today? The purpose of this essay is to evaluate the Hawaiian culture and form an appreciation for their customs, values, celebration, and

According to http://www.waimea.com/culture.html dancing is “reflections of the land’s innate beauty”. These traditions have helped Historians discover more of Hawaii’s history and where the people may have migrated. Hawaiian traditional dancing involves the well-known Hula. “The Hula imitates the rolling waves of the beach and the moves are expressions of what Hawaii is, a land of beauty, grace, and spirituality” according to http://www.waimea.com/culture.html. This dance also part of the Religion of the kānaka maoli, and Hawaiʻi maoli people because they believe that the first Hula was performed by a God however it through time the Hula became more for entertainment and celebrations. There are two styles of the Hula according to http://www.waimea.com/culture.html and they are the “Hula Kahiko” which is the “Ancient Hula” due to it being before the Western Cultures migrating to Hawaii, and there is also the ‘Hula Auana’, which was established in the 19th Century with Western influence. According to http://www.waimea.com/culture.html, “the costumes for the dancer included the anklets made from dog's teeth or whale bone called ‘kupea,’ a ‘skirt or pau’ made out of ‘tapa,’ and the ‘lei or the garland’ for the shoulders and head.” We can therefore see that dancing the ‘Hula’ in Hawaii is an important tradition with many different

When analyzing the Native Hawaiian culture and Science it is safe to say they are two sides of the same proverbial coin. Native Hawaiians were scientists, that much is known. The people of Hawaii were master navigators who were able to read the night sky like a map. Hawaiians observed the night sky and noticed patterns in the stars. These repeating patterns throughout the year allowed them to navigate the oceans.

Hawaii, a tropical paradise, made up 132 Islands. Home of the worlds most active volcano Hawaii’s Native Culture, and  is about 1,500 years old. Hawaii, the most common mispronunciation heard on the big island is the word Hawaii. Newscasters from Honolulu say Ha-va-ee-ee is the proper way to spell and pronounce it, and some UH locals swear that is correct. Hawaii’s origins from the Polynesians who voyaged to and

The legends told are an immense part of the Hawaiian culture. Kanaloa is the main god that is part of many Hawaiian myths and he is considered the creator and the giver of life. “In Hawaiian culture, things are often paired with a counterpart—a partner or opposite. For night, there’s day. For small,

When you think of a nice relaxing place, Hawaii is what pops up in most people’s head. Hawaii located in the middle of the Pacific ocean but still part of the United States of America. This state is made up of 5 islands, the Big Island being the most visited. The others are Maui, Oahu,Kauai, Molokai, Lanai, and Hawaii, also referred to the big Island.