Hawaiian Culture

Hawaiian culture stories published by Maui No Ka Oi Magazine.

Pele by Linda Rowell Stevens

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.
Hawaiian clothing

Wrapped in Tradition

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.
red sweet li hing mui on maui

Li Hing Mui: Hawaii’s Favorite Snack

Li hing mui is a favorite Hawaii snack. Lehia shares her top 10 ways to eat this salty sweet treat.
Hawaiian kapa

Kapa: More to Learn

See all eleven kapa Pua Van Dorpe created to honor ancient Maui chiefs, and read their stories.
Lanai Hawaiian island

To Know Lāna‘i Once Again

Kepā Maly is restoring authenticity to the stories of the island he loves.
hula tradition

Where Tradition Holds Sway

John Ka‘imikaua's Legacy Lives on through Moloka‘i's Homage to Hula
kumulipo

Into the Source

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

Makahiki

Each year, as the rains came and the Makali‘i, or Pleiades, appeared in the night sky, Hawaiians of old set aside time to rest, feast and play.
Hawaiian games

Games Hawaiians Play

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

Painting the Town: Wailuku

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

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.
Maui voyaging canoe

Now, Voyager

Seventeen years in the making, the Hawaiian modern day voyaging canoe Mo‘okiha O Piilani will set sail on December 21 during the winter solstice.
Kamaka Kukona

Mover and Shaker

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

Planted with Purpose

Discover how the nonprofit Maui Nui Botanical Gardens is planting the seeds of today and working to preserve Hawaiian culture for the future.
hawaiian moon calendar

Planting by the Moon

Finding the science behind an ancient, indigenous practice.

Kapa: Fabric of a Culture

Pua Van Dorpe has spent a lifetime pursuing her passion—reclaiming this ancient and lost Hawaiian art
noni plant

Seeds across the Seas

A race of Polynesian seafarers managed to carry with them food for the rest of their lives in Hawai‘i.

The Heartbeat of Hula

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

Slack Key

 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...
taro farming

An Appetite for Culture + VIDEO

How Maui farmers are cultivating ancient wisdom to feed a population—and a hunger for culture.
Hawaiian Kapa

Beauty in the Bark

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

The Winds of Time 

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...
Kino Lau

Kino Lau

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

Healing Across Generations

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

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.

Fencing Haleakalā

Battling the elements, goats, and bureaucracy to protect the ecosystems at the top of Maui Koa trees and other native species are returning to...
Hawaiian tatoo

Marked

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