Hawaii

1. Hawaii Spirit of the Islands: Past and Present

2. Hawaiian tradition regards the land (‘aina) as mother ‘Ainameans “that which feeds” Land does not belong to the Hawaiians, rather Hawaiians belong to the land and are a part of the land Hawaiians regard themselves as “kanaka maoli” Spirit of the Islands

3. Hawaiian tradition involved constant communication with other living things, the land, the rocks, the ocean, and the spirits of the ancestors All parts of the island, living and nonliving, had a special meaning and purpose Spirit of the Islands

4. Because the land belonged to no one, anything coming from the land was shared Fishermen, farmers, and woodsmen did not tend their own “property” but did their jobs for everyone’s benefit Spirit of the Islands Ahupua’a http://www.hawaiihistory.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=ig.page&CategoryID=299

5. The only parts of the island that were off limits were those considered kapu. These areas were reserved for Hawaiian gods. Sharing was a lifestyle Ahupua’a Large wedges of land, divided by the chiefs or kings, that started at the mountain peaks and continued into the water beyond This division made a self-sustaining environment for the people. Spirit of the Islands

6. Most all of the people living within an ahupua’a were family Both blood relatives, and extended family were ‘ohana ‘Ohana encompasses many generations Elders- kupuna Parents/middle generation- makua Children- kamali‘i There was no difference between cousin, aunt, uncle, or parents. All members of the same generation were considered siblings. Spirit of the Islands

7. Kanaka maoli believe that on earth they are in human form, but came from other forms and will return in other forms before and after this life. Time in the human form is short After this life, kanaka maoli come back to earth in spiritual form as‘aumakua Protect the family by warning, guiding and informing them In the form of an animal (bird, fish, turtle, shark) tree, rock, breeze, cloud, or even a new child born into the family Spirit of the Islands

8. Kanaka maoli believe in many gods that take form in nature Taro, sweet potato, breadfruit, coconut, banana When eating taro, one is eating Kane and taking in his mana or godly power http://www.mythome.org/hawaiig.html Hawaiian Gods

9. Kane-the supreme god, god of sunlight, fresh water, and forests, ancestor of all chiefs and commoners, took the form of an owl Ku-patron god of war, brought about rain, growth, successful fishing Hawaiian Gods • Kanaloa- god of the ocean, companion of Kane, took form in an octopus or squid

10. Lono- god of thunder, clouds, wind, sea, agriculture, and fertility took on many forms fish man-dog Honored during the annual makahiki harvest festival James Cook Hawaiian Gods

11. Pele fire goddess responsible for current eruptians of Kilauea She traveled from island to island looking for a home and found her home on the Big Island where she built a palace of fire (the Kilauea volcano). She is a lesser god in Hawaiian beliefs. Hawaiian Gods

12. “Talking story” is how kanaka maoli passed on their oral traditions and beliefs. By locals taking time to sit and tell stories, ancient Hawaiian beliefs and traditions have been passed on through many generations without written record. Talking Story

13. Personal Power • Everything the kanaka maoli did was for a reason and a purpose. • Preparing and eating a meal had a certain process. • Caring for the sick had to be done at a certain time of day with certain prayers and thoughts. • Dances, chants, and rituals had to be done perfectly. • By doing these actions deliberately, the Hawaiians believed it gave them a direct communication line with their gods.

14. Personal Power • Gods “responded” by patterns in the fire, images in a dream, wind, thunder, or even a thought that comes out of nowhere. • These responses were interpreted as signs from the gods and answers to their prayers. • Everything happens and exists for a reason in this belief system.

15. Kanaka Maoli Today • From the moment Westerners first arrived in Hawaii, the kanaka maoli have been losing their true culture and heritage a little more each day. • Hawaiian’s sense of balance is deeply rooted in the natural environment.

16. Kanaka Maoli Today • As land has been lost, so too have the traditions of the kanaka maoli. • As well as losing land, the kanaka maoli population has been declining due to diseases introduced by Westerners and inter-racial mixing.

17. Kanaka maoli (native Hawaiians) Shortest life expectancy Highest mortality rates Heart disease Stroke Cancer Diabetes Infant mortality Suicide Accidents Substance abuse They are at the bottom of the heap in their own homeland due to their disconnect with their land and tradition. Kanaka Maoli Today

18. Kanaka Maoli Today • Most Hawaiians today are not full-blooded Hawaiian due to the many other ethnic groups on the island and racial mixing. • Those who are part-Hawaiian usually claim their Hawaiian heritage first as a point of pride. • Six other ethnic groups have made their place on the island.

19. Chinese one of Hawaii’s most prominent, influential, and financially successful groups Japanese After the bombing of Pearl Harbor Japanese language schools and radio stations were shut down. Religious temples were closed. Japanese newspapers were censored. Despite some Japanese-Americans being forced into internment camps, AJAS remained loyal 442nd Infantry Regiment became the most highly decorated unit in the American military during World War II. Their casualty rate was over 3x the military’s average. Hawaii’s Ethnic Blend

20. Filipinos first group to come were acrobats and musicians Koreans overall education and income levels are the highest of any ethnic group in Hawaii per capita, but they are less than 3% of the population Hawaii’s Ethnic Blend

21. Hawaii’s Ethnic Blend • Samoans • early immigrants came after World War I to join the growing Mormon community • brought with them the laid back lifestyle of old Hawaii and had difficulty adapting at first • have been able to retain much of their culture

22. Hawaii’s Ethnic Blend • Caucasians • Known as “haole” • Comes from ancient Hawaiians believing those with pale skin could not possibly be alive • Means “without life” • Sometimes used in a negative light. • This phrase originated at the arrival of James Cook. • Caucasians are the fastest growing ethnic group. • The negativity stems from the fact that newcomers to the island often want to exploit the island’s resources for tourism purposes rather than protecting the land.

23. Kanaka Maoli Making a Comeback • The Hawaii Department of Education has established Hawaiian language immersion in schools promoting kanaka maoli pride and the continued use of proper Hawaiian language. • Children and parents now take classes and are taught the native language. • Hawaiian is not a written language and historians still have not determined all of the details of the origin of the language.

24. Language • Most local Hawaiians speak a mixture of English and Hawaiian called “pidgin” • Example:“Hey, pau hana like go my hale for grind? Get plenty ‘ono pupu-even pipikaula and poke in da fridge.” • Translation:“Hey after work would you like to go to my house to eat? We’ve got plenty of tasty appetizers, even some beef jerky and raw fish marinated with seaweed in the refrigerator.”

25. aloha- love, farewell, greetings mahalo- thank you malihini- newcomer to the island (us) ‘ohana-family haole-a foreigner, usually Caucasian ‘aina--land wahine- woman heiau- traditional Hawaiian temple kapu-taboo Common Hawaiian Words

26. Music and Hula • Music was an important part of ancient Hawaiian ritual. • Religious songs and chants helped connect the kanaka maoli with their gods. • Hula with song was used as a spiritual tool, a teaching tool, and entertainment. • Every move and word has a deep meaning and must be done correctly. • It was believed that “practicing” the action you could control that action in the future.

27. Music and Hula • There were specific hulas done for successful hunts, fertility, and other desired successes. • Going to hula school for Hawaiians could be compared to someone going to a monastery to study the priesthood.

28. Lei • Lei’s can be made of flowers, leaves, shells, and paper. • Special symbol or gift given as a sign of respect and were used in dances and chants • Lei’s are draped over statues or images of important people. • Each island has its own special material for making leis.

29. Food and Lu’au • The many ethnic groups in Hawaii have each contributed in their own way to island cuisine. • Hawaii is one of the world’s most diverse culinary places. • An example: Expect sticky white rice with every meal at Hawaii Preparatory Academy due to the heavy Asian influence…even with your eggs at breakfast:)

30. Food and Lu’au • Lu’aus were generally family “get togethers” but have since been commercialized for tourism purposes. • Most foods at lu’aus are authentic, including kaluha pig cooked in an underground rock oven, poi, sweet potatoes, ‘opihi (shellfish), and salmon. • In ancient times, women were not allowed to eat with men at a lu’au. When kapu was abolished, the lu’au became a time of celebration for special events.

31. Food and Lu’au • Now lu’aus are highly dramatized for the tourist with flashy hula and stories of Hawaiian legends.