The Hōkūleʻa Epic Voyage – Mālama Honua: To Care For Our Earth The idea for this epic voyage began with a very unusual phone call. Nainoa Thompson, aboard Hōkūleʻa, spoke via satellite phone to Lacy Veach who was aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia. Nainoa, aboard Hōkūleʻa, was sailing from Rarotonga to Honolulu and Lacy was… Read more »
The magnitude of the great, double-hulled ocean-going vessel, Hōkūleʻa, launching on her maiden voyage on March 8, 1975, cannot be overstated. It was a monumental event for all people of Hawaiian ancestry worldwide. This single event gave a burst of energy back into the Hawaiian culture and a tremendous upsurge in pride. Hōkūleʻa was launched… Read more »
Hawaiian music is every bit as indigenous and aboriginal to the island chain as the crashing surf and thunderous volcanoes. Each part of our globe has its own unique landscape. This tends to shape its culture; be it music, art, food, dance, or any creative expression. So what would people get if they evolved for… Read more »
Their Hawaiian name is Koholā* The humpback’s high status in Hawaiian culture has been made clear in the Kumulipo*. This creation chant announces the birth of the whale near the beginning, in the second section. That is a very high ranking in a 2,102 line chant. Hanau ka palaoa noho i kai — born is… Read more »
We, humans, love our moon. Our single satellite, circling our lives, changing our tides, even loosening our inhibitions and making us a little loony! We write poems and songs about it, stare at it, and propose under it. We even think about that special someone that may be far away and know that they, too,… Read more »
Centuries before the European sea-faring explorers discovered Hawai’i, the people living on these islands had already developed a great New Year’s tradition. This tradition is called Makahiki. The Makahiki preparations, ceremonies, and celebrations were extensive. This particular time of the year lasted from October through January. Four months were needed for all the activities that… Read more »
Santa loves kids in Hawai’i just as much as he loves kids all over the world. We told you how he especially loves to come to the beach and shower small gifts or treats upon the children here in the islands in our blog titled: 7 Reasons You Should be on Maui for the Holidays…. Read more »
Long before Western explorers and Protestant Missionaries arrived, Hawai’i people had a time of year called Makahiki*. This time was a season of rest and rejuvenation. The days were shorter and a bit cooler – there was more rain to nourish the earth, and life slowed down. A natural end of the yearly cycle, the… Read more »
Sacred Places are found throughout the world. The word sacred can denote some sort of religious or spiritual significance to the place or site. A good example is Ka Pu’uhonua o Olowalu, a place of refuge sanctified by the gods of Ancient Hawai’i. Like many in Hawai’i, this place is held sacred by the hierarchy of… Read more »
Whales Were Here Before People! Graceful and awe-inspiring, the magnificent North Pacific Humpback Whales return to the tranquil waters of Hawai’i every year as they have done since 100/400 AD. A time before the first Hawaiians arrived. The ancient Polynesians revered and held the whales as sacred beings. Perhaps they may have been guided on… Read more »
