The revival of traditional Hawaiian culture has seen an explosion of Hula halaus (schools) and many Hawaiian artists and craftspeople are returning to traditional mediums and themes such a tapa weaving, quilt making and the creation of colorful Flower Leis.

Aloha Aina

Aloha aina means love of the land. It is the profound respect we have for Hawaii and the care we take to protect our Islands.

Aina means that the land is the source of our food. In that sense, then, the land is what gives us sustenance; it is Hawaii that sustains us. We who live in the Islands walk upon its earth, breathe its air, drink its water, and eat the food it provides. Hawaii is within us, a part of us. If we defile Hawaii, it is as if we defile ourselves.

Aloha Aina is shared with visitors so they, too, will respect Hawaii and treat the islands with care.

Hawaiian Language

English is the dominant language in Hawaii, but it is infused with Hawaiian words, phrases and pidgin slang. The Hawaiian language is only spoken by an estimated 9000 people, but 85% of all local place names are Hawaiian and they often have interesting stories behind them. Hawaii's early immigrants communicated with each other in pidgin, a stripped and simplified form of English which survives today as a lively, ever-changing local slang.

Hawaiian Music

Music has always played a central role in Hawaiian culture. In early Hawai'i, mele, or chant, was the most important means of remembering myths of gods and deeds of powerful people. Today, Hawaiians continue to use music to define themselves and celebrate aloha 'aina, or love of land.

Western string instruments and Christian hymns, or himeni, introduced to Hawai'i in the nineteenth century, transformed earlier forms of Hawaiian music and provided ingredients for new musical forms. At the beginning of the twentieth century, a newly created tourist industry began to employ musicians and hundreds of Hapa-haole, or half Hawaiian-half English, tunes were composed. These songs reflected some aspects of the older traditions but were primarily a popular commercial genre. Hawaiian music was transformed by the success of these songs on the American mainland.

Steel guitars were originally invented and popularized in Hawaii. Legend has it that Joseph Kekuku, a Hawaiian schoolboy, discovered the sound while walking along a railroad track strumming his guitar. He picked up a bolt lying by the track and slid the metal along the strings of his guitar. Intrigued by the sound, he taught himself to play using the back of a knife blade.

Other persons who have been credited with the invention of the steel guitar include Gabriel Davion, an Indian sailor, around 1885, and James Hoa, a Hawaiian of Portuguese ancestry.

Hawaiian groups were a big hit at the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco. From there the sound of the Hawaiian guitar spread throughout the United States. From about 1915 to 1930, a large number of Hawaiian guitar methods and songs were published by the major music publishers.

The sound of the Hawaiian guitar was picked up and incorporated into blues and country music. From there, the steel guitar slid its way into rock, pop, African and Indian music.

More information about Hawaiian steel guitar may be found on the Hawaiian Steel Guitar page.

Hawaiian Cooking

Hawaiian Mythes & Stories

• Madame Pele (PEH-le) This powerful volcano goddess is said to make her home in the Halemaumau firepit of Kilauea Volcano. Remove a souvenir rock from her home and legend has it you will be plagued by bad luck.
• Maui (MOW-wee) This demigod is the brother of Madame Pele. Maui is said to have lassoed the sun in order to slow it down and make the days longer on the island of Maui. For this reason, his home in the crater of Haleakala is called the House of the Sun.
• King Kamehameha the Great (ka-MEH-ha-MEH-ha) This brave warrior king united the Hawaiian Islands under one rule in 1795. The Kamehameha dynasty lasted until 1872, through the reign of Kamehameha V.
• Queen Liliuokalani (li-LEE-u-OH-ka-LAH-ni) She was Hawaii's only reigning queen and the islands' last monarch, ruling until 1893. This multi-talented woman wrote Aloha Oe, Hawaii's beloved farewell song.
• Menehune (MEH-ne-HOO-ne) These impish mythical figures are the Hawaiian cousins of Ireland's leprechauns. They are said to do good deeds during the night, such as digging fishponds. The legend of the menehune was most likely inspired by an ancient tribe that died out long ago.
• Nene (NEH-ne) This large goose is Hawaii's state bird. The endangered nene geese make their homes in volcanic regions. Biologists believe the birds originally were attracted to the volcanoes' lava pits, which resembled the lakes and ponds geese favor.
• Humuhumunukunukuapua'a (HOO-mu-HOO-mu-NOO-ku- NOO-ku-AH-pu-WAH-a) Made famous in the song Little Grass Shack, this tiny fish with the big name is Hawaii's official state fish.

Events

For more information on Culture in Hawaii, go to:

• Bishop Museum - Features excellent exhibits depicting Hawaii's early multi-ethnic heritage.
• Hawaiian Independence - There is a peaceful and legal independence movement in Hawai'i and this web site will update you on current events.
• Honolulu Symphony Orchestra - Complete information on the concert schedule and the box office is open!
• Hawaii Opera Theater - Our recently renovated Hawaii Opera Theater is located in historic Chinatown in a beautiful turn-of-the-century building. See the calendar section for upcoming performances.
• Honolulu's Chinatown - A living history of early Honolulu, complete with an Open Market, Lei Stands, Chinese Shops, Art Galleries, Chinese food and of course the "real" Charlie Chan.
• Honolulu Academy of Arts - Located close to downtown Honolulu and features a wonderful permanent collection of Asian and early Hawaiian Art.
• Hui No'eau - A contemporary visual arts center located upcountry outside of Makawao. Beautiful grounds, definitely worth a visit.
• Kalaupapa, Molokai, Hawaii - Father Damien.
• Kauai Historical Society - Good source for upcoming events plus has historic publications for sale.
• Kauai Mokihana Festival - See the schedule of this year's cultural events including ancient and modern hula, plus Hawaiian music and outrigger canoe paddling. Great local event!
• KO'IE'IE LOKO I'A, Royal Fishpond - A local volunteer group is rebuilding one of Maui's ancient fishponds in the South Kihei area, close to restaurants and Ma'alaea Harbor. Drop by and show your support for this archeological site plus if interested, you can Adopt-A-Rock.
• Kokee Natural History Museum - Located above Waimea Canyon and at the center of Kokee State Park; this little museum educates you on the ecology and geology of Kauai. Be sure to hike one of local trails while in the park.
• Lyman Museum - Located in Hilo, this Museum and Mission House offer a wonderful combination of natural history and early Hawaiian history, plus unique private collections.
• Maui Historical Society - Housed in the Bailey House Museum in old Wailuku town in the middle of the island. Features early paintings of Maui by Edward Bailey and has a quaint little museum shop for afternoon browsing...
• Maui Music Festival - This annual event is staged in the very upmarket Wailea Resort area and viewing is under-the-stars. Ticket information is also available on-line.
• Pacific Tsunami Museum - Also located in Hilo, this museum is dedicated to very very large waves with incredible destructive power. Why... because Hilo has been hit by two tsunamis since 1946.
• Polynesian Voyaging Society - These islands were settled by some of the most accomplished early sailors of all time. The Society funds voyages that retrace those early routes plus teaches the ancient skills of traditional canoe building and Polynesian navigation.
• USS ARIZONA MEMORIAL The USS Arizona is the final resting place for many of the ship's 1,177 crewmen who lost their lives on December 7, 1941. The 184-foot-long Memorial structure spanning the mid-portion of the sunken battleship ...
• USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park, Honolulu, HI. Dive into the intriguing history of the submarine known as the "Pearl Harbor Avenger," USS Bowfin (SS-287).