Hawaiian heritage

Heritage: Cultural legacy or tradition passed on within a community from one generation to another

Hawaii’s heritage is one of the most diverse in the world, thanks to its status as the mid-Pacific melting pot. Hundreds of years of rich cultural traditions of the Hawaiian people intermingle with the ancestry of immigrant populations to create a synergy unlike anything you’ve ever experienced.

Local heritage in Hawaii could encompass a tradition, dance, or food from China, Japan, the Philippines, Samoa, Portugal, Korea, Tahiti, New Zealand and many other locations. In any given weekend, you might immerse yourself in local heritage by attending a hula competition, a Japanese bon dance festival, or a local Buddhist temple. Simply by spending time in Hawaii, you are enjoying the product of generations of strong heritage. Grab a longboard and head out to surf, or sample some kalua pig or poi and you are repeating what ancient Hawaiians did over a century ago. Use the phrase “aloha” or “mahalo” and you are paying tribute to an incredibly expressive language that continues to unite Hawaiians with their land and their people.

For a unique glimpse into the pure, undisturbed Hawaiian heritage, the civilization that existed before Christian missionaries arrived, visit the Bishop Museum, pick up a book on Hawaiian history or culture, or talk to a local Hawaiian with strong roots. Find out how the Hawaiians of yesterday thrived and discover an ancient civilization inspired by love of the land, strong cultural identity and a supreme connection with ancestors. Visit Iolani Palace, the former residence of royalty, Kawaihao Church, worship house of Hawaii’s rulers, or Washington Place, home of Queen Liliuokalani. The Hawaii State Library in Honolulu has a large section devoted to Hawaiian and Pacific studies. Wherever you are in the islands, it is not hard to experience links to the past.

Hawaiian heritage connects the past with the present and keeps local Hawaiians strongly tied to the generations before them that watched over the land. Cultural traditions, such as the one-year baby luau, the paina (party), ukulele music on the beach and enjoying poi link today’s Hawaiians with their ancestors. By simply traversing the islands and viewing the overwhelming beauty of Hawaii, you are experiencing the strongest aspect of heritage, the land. 

Aina

Perhaps the most important aspect of Hawaiian heritage is the concept of malama aina, or respect/caring for the land. According to the ancient creation chant, the kumulipo, the Hawaiians are direct descendants of the land. The ancient Hawaiians believed that land was not property to be owned, but a gift from the gods that was to be shared to the benefit of all. Today, Hawaiians maintain incredible pride in the beauty and sacredness of island land and continue to apply conservation principles to care for this irreplaceable resource. Unfortunately, only a small number of locals with Hawaiian blood are able to live on birthright land. There are many thousands of Hawaiians today on waiting lists today for homestead lands.

Ohana

The ancient Hawaiians maintained a strong loyalty and dedication to the importance of family. Hawaiians did not segregate themselves from other families, but instead worked together to make sure all were taken care of. Sharing was a key component – work was done to feed and shelter large extended families, and everyone pitched in with hard work.

Talking story, the sharing of tales, beliefs and ideas, is an important part of Hawaii’s culture today. Even in business situations, it may be considered rude not to ask about one’s family or “talk-story” a bit before getting down to business.

Hula

"Hula is the language of the heart and therefore the heartbeat of the Hawaiian people." – King Kalakaua

Hula is one of the strongest aspects of Hawaii’s heritage that has not only survived the test of time, but continues to grow and progress while remaining true to its roots. Hula is so much more than a style of dance. Hula tells a story through chant, gesture and movement. Performed to honor a god or goddess, to exalt the accomplishments of a warrior, or celebrate the beauty of the land, hula is an ancient tradition developed in the Hawaiian Islands by original Polynesian settlers.

Hula is not merely a form of entertainment – it is to be practiced with determination, respect and precision. Hula’s origins within the realm of aumakua (ancestors) involve Laka, the goddess of the hula and are steeped in legend. Hula is not frivolous movement; every motion has a purpose and intricate meaning. In ancient times, it was used to convey religious messages and was accompanied by ritual and prayer. Although the hula was banned by Christian missionaries after 1820, this unique cultural icon experienced a renaissance and has not only endured, but continues to gain popularity. Today, the two primary forms of hula practices are hula auana, or modern, informal hula without ceremony or offering, and hula kahiko, or ancient hula. Led by a kumu hula, or hula teacher, today’s hula participants attend a halau hula (hula school) for many years.

Art

The ancient Hawaiians were skillful craftsmen with a unique perspective on artistic nature. Na hana noeau means “wise and skillful works” and represents works of ancient Hawaiian art that were functional as well. Or perhaps better stated, the Hawaiians applied aesthetic principles in their creation of useful crafts.

Kapa is a fine material created by beating the wood of the Wauke (Paper Mulberry) plant. Bamboo stamps with natural dye were then used to create intricate repetitive patterns over the material. Blankets, lava lavas and muumuus were just some of the uses for kapa. Renowned kapa artist Puanani Van Dorpe continues to practice this amazing craft today, beating kapa to replicate designs of old for eight or more hours a day.

Lauhala (hala leaves) are still used today for creation of many products from bowls to hats to floor mats. The leaves are dried and stripped and soaked to create a texture that is intricately woven into a desired shape.

Another example of hana noeau can be found in the amazing featherwork capes created for high-ranking Hawaiian chiefs. The brightly-colored feathers of indigenous birds (many now extinct) were woven together to create impressive capes that indicated rank and status. Some of these incredible featherwork capes are on display today at Honolulu’s Bishop Museum.

The King of the Hawaiian forest trees, the acacia koa, was used in ancient times to build anything from giant seafaring canoes to small bowls. Koa is still used today, although the wood is in shorter supply.

Language

E ola mau ka olelo Hawaii! The Hawaiian Language lives!

Hawaiian language is so deeply integrated into Hawaii that it is impossible to spend a day here without learning a Hawaiian word or two. As the only place in the world where Hawaiian language is spoken, the Hawaiian language lives on in families who speak fluently, the keiki (children) attending Hawaiian immersion school programs, the moolelo (story) carried on through generations and the olelo noeau (wise saying) still spoken by kupuna (elders).

Music

The ukulele is the most recognized aspect of Hawaiian music. Lesser known to tourists are the ohe hano ihu, a nose flute made of bamboo and the ipu heke ole, or gourd drum. You can spot an ukulele player almost anywhere, from oceanside parks to backyard luaus to Waikiki concerts. The ipu heke ole is often used during hula, and the ohe hano ihu is still used today in local songs from falsetto to reggae. The feather gourd (uliuli) and split-bamboo (puili) add unique sounds to the expression of hula and Hawaiian music.

Food

Ono Grinds Eating was more than just a regular activity to Hawaiians, and food represented the feeding of body, mind and spirit. In traditional Hawaiian society, eating practices were rich with symbolism. The luau, once called the aha aina, was an event that was designed to unite the participants and foster good will, thanks and praise. The purpose of the luau could have been to celebrate accomplishments, honor heroes or gods, or commemorate important events. While some ancient foods represented strength or virility, other foods might symbolize virtues or goals the participants hoped to achieve.

The term luau refers to the taro leaf, an important component of the Hawaiian meal. In ancient beliefs, taro was considered to be the older brother of the Hawaiian people and the ultimate gift of sustenance and life. Taro was eaten in many forms, including the ever-popular poi, a paste-like substance achieved through pounding of the taro root with a special instrument called a poi pounder. Today’s luaus are reminiscent of the spirit of celebration and unity experienced at the luaus of old and include many of the same great Hawaiian foods. If you haven’t yet tried kalua pig, squid luau, lomi lomi salmon, or haupia (coconut pudding), you can find these ono grinds at just about any local plate lunch restaurant in the islands.

Ocean

The ocean as a resource was utilized by ancient Hawaiians in many forms, from voyaging and travel to fishing and recreation. It was an all-important resource for protein in the form of fish and sea creatures, and the Hawaiians took special caution in the preservation of this resource by respecting the reef and fishing strategically. Today, the practice of Polynesian voyaging continues with a renaissance of instruction in recent years.

Residents and visitors to the Hawaiian Islands are blessed to be able to experience such a strong influence of Hawaiian heritage. Despite the fact that the Native Hawaiian population diminished drastically after Western contact, the ancient traditions and cultural links persevered. Hawaiians today stay intimately connected to the ancient society that passed on this beautiful land and the responsibilities that come with it. If you are visiting Hawaii, make sure you take some time to see Hawaii as it once was by learning a little about its rich and colorful heritage.