Five ways to experience Hawaiian culture

Many travellers aren’t aware that Hawaiʻi was once a Kingdom – and that it comes with a rich history of Hawaiian Kings and Queens, language and customs.

Today, Hawaiʻi is a melting pot of many people and cultures that immigrated to Hawaiʻi and made the islands their home. Foreign customs naturally mixed with Hawaiʻiʻs Native culture to create a unique lifestyle enjoyed by Hawaiʻi’s current population of “kamaʻaina” (locals).

However, people living in Hawaiʻi have great respect for Hawaiʻiʻs indigenous customs and traditions, which you can experience when they visit. Check them out below:

Kai/Ocean

“Kai’ is very important in Native Hawaiian tradition. It plays a significant role in the migration story: where the original Polynesians travelled thousands of miles on their double-hull canoes using just the stars to reach their destination of Hawaiʻi.

The sea is respected as a powerful natural force that also provides food and fun through various ocean activities, including surfing which originated in Hawaiʻi.

Mea ʻai/Culinary

The Hawaiian word “meaʻai” literally means “thing to eat.” Food is such a large part of the culture in Hawaiʻi.

The Native Hawaiian diet is made up mostly of pork and fish. Today, local island cuisine is influenced by the many cultures that make up Hawaiʻi from Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, Portuguese and of course, Hawaiian.

Hawaiʻi is also famous for Pacific Rim cuisine, which blends dishes of Asian and Pacific origin. Meals are cooked and shared between ‘ohana (family) and friends, with these traditions helping to build a sense of community across the islands.

ʻĀina/Land

In the Native Hawaiian creation story the “ʻāina” or land (islands) came before man. Native Hawaiians treat it with the highest respect and believe that they have a responsibility to care and nurture it into the future.

The idea of land ownership is foreign to Native Hawaiians as one can never own something so sacred and beautiful, rather they believe that they belong to the land and are forever in its service.

Mele/Music

Native Hawaiians are talented composers who write and chant “mele” or songs that honour people and places throughout the world. Some of Hawaiʻi’s most famous composers were its Kings and Queens who wrote many of Hawaiʻiʻs beloved “mele.”

These beautiful songs can still be heard today, along with the many others written by Native Hawaiians and kamaʻāina (locals) throughout the history of Hawaiʻi.

One of the most commonly played Hawaiian instruments is the ‘ukulele. This miniature guitar was introduced to Hawai‘i by Portuguese immigrants and is now synonomous with the Hawaiian Islands. ‘Ukulele lessons are a popular cultural activity for visitors.

Hana Lei/Lei Making

In Hawaiian tradition lei are made by someone to wear themselves or more commonly to give away to a beloved family member or friend. People are given lei on special occasions such as birthdays, graduations and weddings.

Sometimes people give away lei just to show their love to someone, with no occasion needed.

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