Hawai'i is a land full of diverse people and ideas, starting from the Polynesians who decided to cross the ocean to settle and form the traditions practiced today by the Hawaiians. Unlike many other states, the beliefs of Hawai'i have managed to stay alive. Its unique culture is what attracts tourists most. Many people see it as a vacation spot, full of fun attractions and say, “When I go to Hawai'i I'm going to get some Hawaiian tattoos, they look so cool!” or “I'm going to buy a hula skirt, they're really pretty!” But all those hula dances and tattoos are not just for show. People do not know that there is more to it than ink or hip swaying; behind every hula skirt and every tattoo there is a story. Hawai’i’s culture consists of the significance of its dances, tattoos, and traditions that give Hawaiians their unique lifestyle. Hawai'i's rich culture and history started with the arrival of the Polynesians to the islands between 300-500 A.D. After settling they adapted to the islands and began to create a society. But hundreds of years later in 1778, the western world came to put a stop to the Hawaiians lives. Captain James Cook and his crew were the first to arrive, setting off a chain of events that rid the Hawaiians of their lifestyles. Christian missionaries banned tattoos and hula dancing, getting rid of the people's culture. Diseases brought from the west killed hundreds of civilians. Hunters, whalers, fur traders began ravishing the islands of its animals. In the nineteenth century sugar plantations were created, and the U.S. overthrew their queen and her kingdom, making Hawaii American territory. A naval base was soon set up in Honolulu, only to have it attacked, launching the U.S. into WWII. Years after the attack, Haw... ... middle of paper ... ... ed. Vol. 2. Detroit: Gale, 2000. 819-831. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 21 Nov. 2013. "Ancient Sport and Ali'i Surfers." HawaiiHistory. Info Grafik Inc., n.d. Web. 27 Nov 2013. "Wave Forms/Surf Breaks." HawaiiHistory. Info Grafik Inc., n.d. Web. 27 Nov 2013. Cardona, Jairo. "What is Hula?." Sacred Bodywork. Sacred BodyWork LLC, n.d. Web. 4 Dec 2013. Britton, Veronica. "The Origins of Surfing." The Sport of Kings. N.p.. Web. 6 Dec 2013. "Hawaiians." Worldmark Encyclopedia of Cultures and Daily Life. Ed. Timothy L. Gall and Jeneen Hobby. 2nd ed. Vol. 2: Americas. Detroit: Gale, 2009. 271-275. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 25 Sept. 2013. "Hula Dancing." May I Have This Dance. ThinkQuest, n.d. Web. 6 Dec 2013. Brown, Alyssa. "For Fourth Year, Hawaii No. 1 in Wellbeing, W.Va. Last." GALLUP Well-Being. Gallup, Inc., 28 Feb 2013. Web. 7 Dec 2013.
Ii, John Papa., Mary Kawena Pukui, and Dorothy B. Barrère. Fragments of Hawaiian History. Honolulu: Bishop Museum, 1983. Print.
While sitting on the beach looking into the ocean, rubbing the sand and enjoying the beautiful weather at Cabana’s beach; in beautiful Hawaii on the west side of the island of Oahu is a blessing. Listening to “Hawaii 78” by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole at midday at three-thirty pm sparks a sense of uneasiness to a Native Hawaiian, Who are my ancestors? Who is Israel Kamakawiwo’ole? What is the land used for? Has Hawaii really changed, what is the difference between today and one hundred years ago? The importance of the logo “Ua Mau Ke Ea O Ka Aina I Ka Pono O Hawaii” http://www.netstate.com/states/mottoes/hi_motto.htm
Captain James Cook and his crew came to Hawaii in 1778. Bringing along many diseases such as, syphilis, gonorrhea, tuberculosis, and viral hepatitis.(Blaisdell, p.44) Native Hawaiians were not immune to these diseases, they were unable to be cured therefore died and a massive depopulation occurred. An estimated 500,000 Hawaiians were living in Hawaii before Western Contact, and in 1878 less than 45,000 Hawaiians remained.(Trask, p.10). With the rapid decrease of Hawaiians, also came the fact that their culture was in danger.
The Hawaiian culture is known throughout the western world for their extravagant luaus, beautiful islands, and a language that comes nowhere near being pronounceable to anyone but a Hawaiian. Whenever someone wants to “get away” their first thought is to sit on the beach in Hawai’i with a Mai tai in their hand and watch the sun go down. Haunani-Kay Trask is a native Hawaiian educated on the mainland because it was believed to provide a better education. She questioned the stories of her heritage she heard as a child when she began learning of her ancestors in books at school. Confused by which story was correct, she returned to Hawai’i and discovered that the books of the mainland schools had been all wrong and her heritage was correctly told through the language and teachings of her own people. With her use of pathos and connotative language, Trask does a fine job of defending her argument that the western world destroyed her vibrant Hawaiian culture.
Sonia P. Juvik, James O. Juvik. Atlas of Hawaii. 3rd Edition. Hilo: University of Hawai'i Press, 1998.
The arrival of the missionaries in Hawaii changed the lives of the natives in huge ways that lasted forever. The introduction of western houses and culture had a big influence on Hawaii. The native Hawaiians built their houses out of grass and had very simple villages, but when the missionaries established their settlement they built more sophisticated and sturdy homes out of coral and used western architectural methods to construct buildings. The Hawaiians soon following their lead and the royalty all had western palaces for homes. This also lead to an increase in technology, such as the use of wells and water lines to store fresh water for the towns. They also began to bring in and
While walking down the beach, the white, warm sand mushes between your toes. The sun’s radiant rays beam off your glowing skin. The sound of waves crashing blocks out the external world. There is no other place like the gorgeous tropical islands of Hawaii. The wide range of flowers, cuisine, and wildlife makes it one of the most picturesque places on Earth. It also leads the United States with the highest racial minority rate making it the most diverse state. However, there are numerous hidden dangers of Hawaii, and not all ethnic groups get along causing sharp tensions across the island.
What is one thing that stands out in most peoples’ minds when they think of Hawaii? Most people would probably say the hula dance. The hula dance descended from, or can be traced to Polynesia and India. The Hula was a form of poetry for the Hawaiians in all of its sacred and ceremonial forms.
Thurston, Lorrin A. “A hand-book on the annexation of Hawaii.” Foreign and Commonwealth Office Collection (1897).
Without these canoes, the Polynesians would have never made it to the Hawaiian Islands. Hawaiians were able to develop the islands and master the art of living sustainably. They were able to live lives that were full of leisure like surfing and hula dancing. Because the land was plentiful, they only had to spend around four hours per day working on food production and preparation, allowing for recreational time. Eventually, western influence brought a major shift in thinking, and changed how seafaring was done. Western influence brought new ideas, culture, and traditions to the islands. It also changed the way Hawaiians interacted with the natural environment. The Hawaiian traditional practices, views, and values were nearly forgotten over
Hawaii, which is said to derive from “Hawaiki”, was originally home to the Polynesian people who sailed from their ancestral land of Raiatea hundreds of years ago. As the superpowers of the world, like Great Britain and America, rose to power, Hawaii found itself as a target for potential profit. Like many other islands that are the product of thousands of years of volcanic activity, Hawaii has a warm climate with rich soil and a diverse biological population. It is these characteristics that made the land so appealing to many foreign planters who wished to expand their business, and in turn make more profit. However, many American and European people began to decentralize the culture in Hawaii through attempts of assimilating the native people there, and conflict arose consequently.
Hawaiians have a great significance of their beliefs and culture. Some beliefs are based on nature and the things within it. Native Hawaiians also have great legends that explain what they believe in. Almost everyone would say legends are only made up stories for interest or to scare people but not everyone would think that here in the Hawaiian Islands. Many people do not believe in legends; however Native Hawaiians rely on their legends which allow them to learn about their ancestors.
Hawaiian is unique among the fifty states, especially in regards to its native music form, which is still preformed, and captivates audiences even today. Hawaiian chanting, music, and dance are not only key parts of life on the island, but have also become cultural icons as well as profound symbols of nature and religion in Hawaii. Hawaii has a rich history, beginning with the early settlers from Polynesia who brought their traditions and religions to Hawaii. Over the years, the inhabitants took those traditions and adapted them to their new home, creating the definitive culture that, even with Western influences, still is a captivating force within the society.
Aloha from the people of Hawaii and their culture! Have you ever wanted to visit Hawaii for fun activities, or to enjoy the amazing sights? Well, then Hawaii is a great travel destination! However, if you were to visit the islands, it would be great to learn a little about its people and culture! Luckily that’s exactly what we are going to talk about, so you can get to know the people of these magnificent islands a bit better. The culture of the native Hawaiian people is very colorful and unique because of its cuisine, hula dances, and religion.
...Hawai`i’s economy is very dependent on tourism, however many locals are possessive of their land, and as they stereotype tourists, many do not accept others as they have a unity for their own. Numerous individuals feel the desideratum to fit the local stereotype because they prefer not to be labeled as a “haole”. It becomes tough and rather intense for an individual, because becoming haole betokens that you forgot and disregarded the local or Hawaiian quality values and ways of routes, as well as the flowing stream of life in the islands. We need to remind ourselves that regardless of where we emanate from, our skin tone, race, physical characteristics, and so forth, everybody ought to acknowledge just for who we/they are and treat one another like 'ohana and show "aloha", and subsequently, we can determinately verbally express "This is it. This is Paradise" (33).