Hawai is a place holding on to a rich culture, one stemming not only from the multitude of diverse cultures, but also the one that is the foundation of it all; the Hawaiian Culture. Before traveling here, or any place that you are not familiar with, it is important to learn about the culture, as it gives you a better understanding and a deeper respect for the place you are traveling to. Here we will go into depth into what it means to be Hawaiian, Hawaiian culture and traditions, and their beliefs and way of life.
What it means to be Hawaiian
Being Hawaiian can be a bit complicated if you are not familiar with Hawaii and its culture. Hawaii is a place of cultural diversity, housing many different cultures, such as Japanese, Chinese, and Filipino. All of this diversity has created the Hawaii we know and love today. But these people are not Hawaiian. You can compare this to other states of the United States, such as California. People from California are known as Californians. But here in Hawaii, not everyone is Hawaiian. Only a few percent of people are Hawaiian. These would be the people who are Hawaiian by blood, the ones who have ancestry from the original Polynesians who arrived in Hawaii around 1,500 years ago. Those who do not fall in this category, yet were born and raised in Hawaii, are known as Kamaʻāina, or a local.
Hawaiian Culture and Traditions
Hawaiian culture is rich in many traditions that focus on family, the land and nature, and art and sacred activities. But many of these cultures were suppressed after the illegal annexation of Hawaii by the United States of America. But in 1970, there was a Hawaiian Renaissance movement that led to the revitalization of the culture. This would include many cultural points and customs. such as music, dance, and language.
Lei
The lei is similar to the concept of aloha, a piece to show your affection, love, and respect to someone. A lei is sort of similar to a necklace, which is mainly made up of fresh flowers, leaves, and nut shells. They are typically worn around one’s neck, and are usually given to an individual during special occasions, such as a wedding, a graduation, or some sort of mark or milestone that the individual has made.
Food
The native Hawaiians would celebrate special occasions with luaus, gatherings featuring a feast, accompanied by music and cultural performances. The feast would feature a lot of Hawaiian cuisine. The common ones that would be seen are poi, kalua pig, lau lau, haupia, and poke.
Poi
Poi is a starch that is eaten as a side dish with Hawaiian cuisine. It is a staple for many dishes and is beloved by many, but it is sort of an acquired taste for outsiders. Poi is a dish made from the corm of a taro plant. The corm is taken from the plant, and is cooked, and mashed in water to create the sticky, mushy texture. It is commonly eaten as the starch of the meal, equivalent to how many people eat rice or bread.
Kalua Pig
Kalua pig is a shredded pork dish that has a smoky, rich, and tender flavor. It is a dish that is beloved by every Hawaii resident, and is a staple at luaus, both in the past and now. Kalua pig is slow-cooked, traditionally, and sometimes even now, in what is called an imu. An imu is an underground oven, where they place a whole prepared pig, placing hot rocks on top to help cook it, and also ti and banana leaves to help give it its distinct flavor.
Lau lau
Lau Lau is a very unique dish in the fact that it is cooked and served in leaves that are native to Hawaii. This dish is predominantly a pork-based dish, but there are also other alternatives, such as chicken and fish. The meat is taken, salted, and commonly wrapped in lu’au or ti leaves. This little package is then taken and steamed low and slow, giving it that juicy, tender, earthly flavor that is beloved by the locals.
Haupia
Haupia is a traditional dessert in Hawaii that is served after many Hawaiian meals. It is a sort of coconut pudding, made with coconut milk, sugar, cornstarch, and water. It is then cut into rectangles, almost resembling tofu, and is served as is. Not only can you find haupia served like this, but you can also find it in many other desserts, such as an ice cream flavor, haupia pie, haupia cake, and many other takes on this sweet delicacy.
Poke
Poke is a world-renowned Hawaiian dish loved by many around the world. In Hawaii, poke is a bit different from the way it’s served compared to around the world. Outside of Hawaii, poke is served with a small portion of raw fish that is cut into cubes, served alongside a side of rice and a variety of vegetables, such as corn, edamame, bean sprouts, and cucumber. It is commonly treated almost more like a burrito bowl, where you can choose your selection in the bowl. On the other hand, poke in Hawaii is served fresh on a bed of warm rice. There is rarely a choice of side vegetables with poke here in Hawaii, just fish and rice. The flavors and taste are also apparently better, as the fish used in shops is fresh daily.
Music and Entertainment
The music and entertainment of Hawaiian culture are also rich parts of their culture. Many aspects of Hawaiian culture have influenced many on a global scale. Some examples of these Hula and the ukulele.
Hula
One main one that is very well known is the practice of Hula. Hula is a traditional Hawaiian dance that portrays stories through movement, encompassing both sacred and secular performances. Hula dates back to the time when the first native Hawaiians settled in the Hawaii islands. But once Western colonizers came to Hawaii and illegally annexed it, Hawaiian culture as a whole was suppressed. But in the 1970’s, there was a fight for sovereignty, which helped revitalize the Hawaiian culture, including Hula. Though modern hula and traditional hula are different, they both are the same in that it is a art forms and a way of communication to portray a story.
Ukulele
The ukulele is ingrained in the Hawaiian culture and is known around the world for its small and light frame, yet beautiful tunes. Yet it actually does not originate from Hawaii. It is believed that when Portuguese immigrants arrived in Hawaii around the 1880s, they brought an instrument called the machete de braga. The ukulele has a striking resemblance to the machete de braga, being a small, four-string instrument that has the silhouette of a guitar. The ukulele was later popularized in Hawaii and became synonymous with Hawaiian music. And fast forward to modern day, ukuleles are an instrument that is famous worldwide, recognized for their easy entry within the music world, as it is a portable, inexpensive instrument.
Experiencing Hawaiian Culture
Hawaii is a place exuding culture, whether that comes from its diversity of different cultures or one of its own. It is important to understand the Hawaiian culture before coming to such a place to deepen your understanding and give respect where it is due. If you are interested in learning more about Hawaiian culture, then check out our Hawaiian culture guide!
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