Imagine yourself sitting on a lava rock cliff, hearing the ocean pounding the rock wall below. The salty sea spray cools your lips and the taste tickles your tongue. Feeling the sun against your skin, it is cooled by the mix of mist and breeze that plays with the palm trees. You could say I grew up in a place most people can only daydream about. When most people hear of where I grew up all they can picture is paradise. There is so much more to the “Aloha State” than the stale beachside hotels covered in an abundance of hibiscus prints with pineapples around every turn. The people, food, and land are the heart of the Hawaiian Islands. My Hawaiian family is awesome because they have the Aloha Spirit, our way of life. Everyone helps one another because we are “Ohana,” which in Hawaiian means “family.” I have so many multicultural adopted aunties and uncles with diverse nationalities that have influenced me; I honestly feel like a person that comes from many ethnic backgrounds. Life away from the tight-knit community of the “Big Island” has been a difficult adjustment. The warm smiles and caring mentality is a contagious philosophy and would change anyone lucky enough to observe the Aloha Spirit. One culture shock for me was driving on the mainland. Here, people cut me off and give a rude gesture, while in Hawaii, people would let me in and the gesture would be the “shaka” sign also known as “hang loose,” and I would return the action. The exchange was a “thanks bra” and “no worries,” similar to “thank you” and “you’re welcome.” These days I try to keep that same spirit when I drive in North Carolina; however, many times I am challenged to remember my roots. In addition to the people, the food of the islands is the most delicious cu... ... middle of paper ... ...nd to see how so many people do not care about the world that they are privileged to live in. You could say I am passionate about the world we live in, and it is all because of a wonderful place called Hawaii. As you can see I did grow up in paradise. Although, I think I have shown that Hawaii is more than just a travel destination. It is a whole other world in and of itself. The spirit of the islands and the people are something that can’t be experienced anywhere else; the same can be said for the array of assorted cultural cuisine brought from around the globe. Food is the glue that keeps everyone in harmony. I am proud to say that I came from a land I love so much and would fight to keep safe as long as I live. The person I am today has been shaped by the rich Hawaiian heritage found only on the islands; everyone should experience it at least once in their life.
Often times, the history that is being told is one of Hawaiian weakness, and defeat. The Bayonet Constitution of 1887, the Overthrow of 1893, and the Annexation of 1898, are all often used as examples of moments of powerlessness in the Hawaiian Kingdom. What about all history prior to, in between, and after, these major dates? Surely, it did not just disappear. In the last few decades, Hawaiian history has changed dramatically due to the works of many Hawaiian historians. The history that was lost has been found, and new discoveries are still being made. Hawaiʻi’s history is a story of resistance, pride, and unity. Included within this history is a man named Robert William Kalanihiapo Wilcox. Wilcox was a revolutionist, and a leader, but he enjoyed being a politician the most. Wilcox was the beacon of hope that helped guide the people of Hawaiʻi through darkness. Wilcox was and still is today a symbolic figure in Hawaiʻi’s political history.
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
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.
When my family and I could feel the warm fine sand, the gentle cool breeze, witness the crystal clear aquamarine ocean and swaying palm trees, and smell the sweet fragrant scent of plumerias, we must have gone to heaven. The enchanting beauty of this Hawaiian island, Maui, gives us a sense of warmth, peace, and serenity. In search of paradise, we explore the infamous Road to Hana, snorkel with underwater marine life, and journey back in time to experience the true customs, traditional cuisine and the original song, music and dance of Hawaii at a luau.
When I stepped out of the hot, airless plane into the bright, dazzling sunlight beaming down across the burning concreate, I felt excited and nervous. Holding my beach bag in my hand and slipping my Ray Ban sunglasses on with my other, I flip-flopped down the airspace. Overhead I heard the screams of gulls and the chatter of the small fluffy birds. I suddenly realized I had arrived to Hawaii. This trip was such an unforgettable vacation for me because I got to witness the beauty of nature that Hawaii has to offer.
Brown, DeSoto. "Beautiful, Romantic Hawaii: How the Fantasy Image Came to Be." The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts. 20 (1994): 252-271.
In the 1960s-1970s the Hawaiian Renaissance and growth of the Hawaiian Sovereignty Movement began. During this time there were small, yet important events that sparked a completely new understanding for the Kanaka Maoli. In the past, being a Hawaiian was not something to be proud of; many did not even have much knowledge on what being a Hawaiian really was. As Hawai‘i became more colonialized and heavily influenced by various cultures, the quality of being a Hawaiian slowly but terrifyingly disintegrated. It seems that right after statehood there was a sense that a new era would come. This era known as the Hawaiian Renaissance encouraged many individuals to become more motivated and educated on the history of Hawai‘i. Especially for Kanaka Maoli, the Hawaiian Renaissance ignited a fire of revival and perpetuation for a culture that was nearly extinct. In many ways the Hawaiian Renaissance has been the defining moment because during this time sovereignty, protest, and revival were the key players in further strengthening Hawai‘i and hopefully moving it towards independence.
Jovik, Sonia P. and James O. Jovik. (1997). “History.” Atlas of Hawaii. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, p.408.
Hawaii is arrival. To arrive in Hawaii is to follow all of history, one group at a time. To the Kanaka Maoli, the people who first traveled in ancient times across the ocean in canoes and small boats from Polynesia, Hawaii was the promised land. It was the end of their pilgrimage, the land of powerful spirits and gods in need of worship. The Kanaka Maoli developed a complex society around this new land and these new spirits; a free society built around peace, love, and worship of one’s homeland. This way of life flourished for thousands of years, until the arrival of Christian missionaries in the 18th and 19th centuries declared their freedom evil, their nakedness vile, and their gods false. Christianity flooded the shores of the islands, pulling with it white entrepreneurs, who set up massive farms and plantations to take advantage of Hawaii’s unique agriculture, and Japanese workers for those plantations, with whom Christianity gained its strongest base in the islands. Then came the political opportunists, who in less than one century pulled the Hawaiian monarchy up to its highest levels of Western pomp and circumstance, only to tear it down again with the overthrow of Queen Liliu’okalani in 1893 with help from the United States Government (who later annexed the island chain). Next came the arrival of the expatriates; the tourists; the haoles (whites) who saw Hawaii as nothing more than a tropical novelty or an escape from their stress-filled lives back on the mainland. Statehood came quickly in 1959, as did immigrants from the Phillipines and Korea. I came in 1995, with my haole military family, to a land that would become my adopted home the way it had for so many others. I found a land carved up like a puzzle; each person, each culture, each idea holding onto their piece with the will of God or gods. Today, there are many Hawaii’s. Depending on where you go, you can witness the poor, the rich, the privileged, the oppressed, the loud, the silent, the passive, and the active.
The Polynesian peoples have a lifestyle quite different than that of any other culture, as living on an island requires a level of flexible adaptability in order to cope with such a different, sometimes difficult environment. We see the way diverse cultures build their lives around their circumstances and how they respect them in their cultural myths and stories. The Polynesian legends emphasize the physical environment that they live in. They are quite different than any other region in the world, but the beauty and individuality of the Polynesian culture is prominent as seen in their mythology.
Growing up in Hawaii, I’ve had many unique experiences that other teenagers in the U.S. have not. My family has been living in Hawaii for several generations and ever since I was born, my mom strongly encouraged me to know and learn more about my heritage. Since my mom is from Molokai, she has had many different Hawaiian experiences. Also since my grandmother lives there, I’ve spent just as much time on Molokai as I have on Maui. To me, the real Hawaiian experience is on an island such as Molokai because there is so much more that hasn’t been seen or discovered like there has been on Maui. I believe that the real Hawaiian experience isn’t in a place that is overpopulated and crowded with people, but in a place that actually resembles old Hawaii.
My family will cherish Hawaiian food. Hawaiian food was provided as a symbol when I was growing up. A symbol of celebration, or a symbol of loss and sometimes even a reminder. We don’t eat Hawaiian food on holidays, we eat it when we feel that we need it. The Hawaiians have a word for family that word is ohana, and ohana doesn’t just mean family. We Hawaiians believe that if you have nothing else, you will always have ohana. Ohana will be there during your best times, and they will always be there during your worst. You don’t even need to be blood to be Ohana. A group of friends could be your ohana if you love each other enough. Family is a huge part of the Hawaiian culture. My family will exercise that belief with Hawaiian food. If a cousin is getting married or being born, we make Hawaiian food to celebrate a new member of our ohana. If someone is graduating or if someone has died, we make Hawaiian food to celebrate the life of that member of our ohana. Sometimes my ohana argues like any normal family does. Occasionally times are hard and people will forget the love they have for another. If my family is having a hard time remembering how important ohana is we will make Hawaiian food. I have always associated Hawaiian food with comfort, things are better when I’m around it. I know that I am completely content when I have a big plate of it in front of me or even while I’m helping to prepare
Every year thousands of tourists visit the islands of Antigua, they come from all over the world to drain their sorrows of reality by ridding their pockets of the cash they strive to work so hard for. Although Antigua seems to be filled with relaxation, sunshine and rainbows, and devoid of anything that could ruin somebody’s week, unfortunately, Antigua is quite the opposite of that of what we imagine. Author Jamaica Kincaid argues this false reality tourists imagine about the island, by addressing many issues she witnessed while growing up in Antigua.