Hawaiian Culture

In contrast to modern hula, ancient hula is purely percussive.

Watch as we transform a piece of monkey pod into a papa kuʻiʻai (poi board) during this workshop on Maui, hosted by the Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United.

Among Polynesians, the Hawaiians of old excelled in the making of kapa. Their distant daughters have begun to reclaim this once-lost ancient art.

Indigenous architecture was shaped by—and helped to shape—life in early Hawai‘i. Descendants of the Islands’ first people are building on that foundation.

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

The life of Kālaipōhaku Hoaka Delos Reyes has been shaped by the medium he shapes.

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

Discovering culture through dance.

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

An ancient art, as delicate as it is beautiful, has outlived the kings who once claimed it as their own.

Hawai'i's creation chant weaves together threads of ancient Hawaiian thought--heady science, deep spiritualism, and tantalizing innuendo.

Finding the science behind an ancient, indigenous practice.

From tiny shells that wash ashore on this forbidden island come priceless treasures.

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

By reviving ancient Hawaiian practices, modern conservationists hope to save the forests and the seas of the future.

Bit by bit, archeologists are uncovering a forgotten island where kings once ruled and a sacred lizard kept watch.

Like the rest of us, Hawaiian mature, age and die. And there the similarity ends.

Kapalua Coastal Trail The 1.76-mile Kapalua Coastal Trail traces a coastline of warm-hued beaches and rugged lava points, where hikers can admire views of the...

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.

Teya Penniman explores the cultural significance and modern practices of Makahiki season in Hawaii. Learn about this sacred celebration in honor of Lono.

This story straddles centuries to look at authentic Hawaiian clothing prior to Western contact, and how three young Hawaiian entrepreneurs are incorporating ancient meanings, patterns, and knowledge into their contemporary apparel.

From the very beginning, Hawaiian culture has celebrated women’s power, passion and intellect. We dig into Hawaiian wāhine culture to learn more.

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.

 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...

Children of Hawaii play traditional island games in the spirit of Makahiki. Ancient cultural competitions in connection with the festival and its meaning.

How food is grown, prepared, and used is arguably as important in defining a culture as lineage, language and lore.

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