Birth of a Canoe
After nearly two decades in dry dock, the first oceangoing traditional voyaging canoe, Mo‘okiha o Pi‘ilani, embarked on its maiden voyage from Mala Wharf in Lahaina on July 11.
Behold the Lobelia
The Lobelia Grayana is an endangered lavender flower that grows in Waikamoi Preserve on Maui. Ancient Hawaiians called this plant opelu.
Home, Thatched Home
Virtually extinct for over a century, hale—traditional Hawaiian houses—are making a comeback with the new millennium.
Keeping Culture Afloat
Maui's winningest canoe club is borrowing lessons from the past to surge ahead.
The Thousand-year-old Gift
Hawaiian culture evolved over millennia, then almost disappeared after Western contact. Maui's cultural advisors are committed to bringing it back.
Pohaku
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.
What is a Hawaiian Education?
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.
The Heartbeat of Hula
In contrast to modern hula (which is typically accompanied by Western-derived stringed instruments, such as the slack-key guitar or ‘ukulele), ancient hula is purely percussive.
Shades of the Past
More than any other Polynesian people, Hawaiians excelled in the use of color, coaxing incredible hues from the natural world around them.
Links of Gold
“As Hawaiians, our mo‘olelo [stories] are so important,” says Maelia. “With heirloom jewelry, the mo‘olelo live on in each piece.”
Kapa: Fabric of a Culture
Pua Van Dorpe has spent a lifetime pursuing her passion—reclaiming this ancient and lost Hawaiian art
Lono’s Season
Teya Penniman explores the cultural significance and modern practices of Makahiki season in Hawaii. Learn about this sacred celebration in honor of Lono.
Who Are Na Kupuna?
Like the rest of us, Hawaiian mature, age and die. And there the similarity ends.
Cultivating an Ancient Wisdom
How food is grown, prepared, and used is arguably as important in defining a culture as lineage, language and lore.
Instructions: How to Make a Lei
Celebrate May Day in Hawaii with a fresh flower lei. Here are step by step instructions on how to sew your lei.
The Weave of History
In the plaited leaves of the pandanus tree, a lauhala master passes along an ancient tradition.
In Praise of Wāhine
From the very beginning, Hawaiian culture has celebrated women’s power, passion and intellect. We dig into Hawaiian wāhine culture to learn more.
Bringing Hawaiian Culture To Light
The Four Seasons in Wailea has a brilliant new art collection—“the first of its kind anywhere,”--courtesy of modern Hawaiian artists.
Watch out for Wedgies!
Wedge-tailed shearwaters spend the majority of their lives at sea, where they feed on baitfish and squid. They return to Hawai'i each spring to nest.
To Know Lāna‘i Once Again
Kepā Maly is restoring authenticity to the stories of the island he loves.
Explore Further: Native Knowledge from Ho’olawa Farms
Learn the traditional uses for native plants nurtured by Anna Palomino at Ho‘olawa Farms in Haiku.
The Sacred Spine
Ancient Hawaiian mythology tells of the sacred shapeshifting dragons, or moo, which holds supernatural powers. Their presence is still felt by many.
Olelo Hawaii
A revolution is happening in Island schools, as Hawaiian-immersion students find the keys to unlock their culture.
The Weapon Maker’s Art
Wood and cordage, tooth and bone are used to recreate the ancient Hawaiian instruments of war. A modern weapons maker finds connection to a culture.
