Hawaiian Culture

Ancient Hawaiian mythology tells of the sacred shapeshifting dragons, or moo, which holds supernatural powers. Their presence is still felt by many.

We ask three maoli (native) educators to consider what it means to be an educated Hawaiian in the twenty-first century—and why it matters.

How could we dedicate an issue to all things hot about Hawai‘i and not include Pele? The volcano goddess is as renowned for her fiery passions as for the molten lava with which she creates new land.

Herb Kawainui Kāne has inspired a cultural rebirth.

A sophisticated public art series reveals Wailuku’s deep aloha.

There’s a saying in English that you can’t choose your family. But with an ancient and enduring Hawaiian tradition called hānai, sometimes you can.

Hawaiian lore finds the spirit of the divine in the ordinary world.

The study of seaweed has enabled Hawaiian women—past and present—to sharpen their scientific eye, flavor bland meals, and exercise the art of metaphor.

Hawaiian Culture and Plant Tour  By Serene Gunnison At the Maui Ocean Center, visitors might hardly notice the plants that line the aquarium’s outdoor walkways. After...

Celebrate May Day in Hawaii with a fresh flower lei. Here are step by step instructions on how to sew your lei.

You and I are older than the stones along the Puna shoreline. These stones started just a few years ago as gobs of lava from Pele’s current eruption, gobs that dripped into the sea only to be tumbled and polished then lobbed back onto the shore.

Triple threat: He can dance. He can chant. And he can sing.

The Hawaiian work kamaʻaina isn’t so much about bloodlines and birthplace, as about a fully intentional way to live.

Following the ancient practices of our ancestors has restored a missing piece—healing across generations.

More than skin deep, traditional tattoos link modern Hawaiians to their ancestors.

A writer and a photographer explore the remains of the King's Trail on Maui, where dozens of archaeological sites spring up from the side of the trail.

Fred Torres OPERATIONS MANAGER AND CULTURAL ADVISOR AT KĀ‘ANAPALI ALI‘I“My dad passed away when I was 5. My mom took care of four boys. We...

Hawaiian culture evolved over millennia, then almost disappeared after Western contact. Maui's cultural advisors are committed to bringing it back.

 George Kahumoku Jr. Maui’s Renaissance man for the Hawaiian Renaissance.    By Peter von Buol with Chris Amundson  It is a beautiful Wednesday evening at Napili Kai Beach...

Dance and music take audiences on a journey through time.   Story by Serene Gunnison Photographs by Joshua Hardin & Azelan Amundson A pair of torches scarcely illuminates...

When your name includes twelve syllables and nearly as many letters as the alphabet, you often have some explaining to do.

The island of Maui is known for rainbows, beaches, nature and much aloha. But during World War II, it had a very different vibe.   Story by...

Through their portraits, handprints and signatures, Jordan Murph is helping native Hawaiians create an indelible legacy.

Within its walls, Hale Ho‘ike‘ike safeguards the history and narrative of the land, honoring those who came before — and those who are yet...

Upcountry hike traces history of reforestation, preservation efforts.  By Kyle Ellison There’s a saying that inventors and entrepreneurs are mildly hallucinogenic because they often see things...

Words and Photography by Zach Pezzillo

“As Hawaiians, our mo‘olelo [stories] are so important,” says Maelia. “With heirloom jewelry, the mo‘olelo live on in each piece.”