Hawaiian Soul

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

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

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

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.

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.

How did Hawaiians use the stars?

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

Centuries before Darwin conceived the theory of evolution, Hawaiians knew: On the spinning earth, covered in a dark sea, life began in the oceans.

Place names in Hawai‘i often carry rich cultural or historical meaning, but rarely is the origin story clear.

A historic site yields clues to Maui’s ancient culture

Synonymous with Halema‘uma‘u, the rainbow-hued ferns such as the ‘ama‘u can also be found growing trailside at Haleakalā National Park.

Hāna’s families teach acclaimed chefs about living off the land—and remind themselves what it means to be Hawaiian.

After her three-year odyssey around the globe, Hōkūle‘a’s youngest crewmembers prepare to take the helm.

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

Lānaʻi Waiaʻōpae fishpond once helped feed the island's people. Today it's feeding a hunger for culture.

Kumu hula and lei maker, Gordean Bailey has spent a lifetime sharing the culture of aloha.

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

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.

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

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.

The culture of ancient Hawaiʻi was deeply rooted in nature. It still is—thanks to places like Maui Nui Botanical Gardens.

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.

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

A millennium before Haleakala became a national park, Hawaiians traversed its moonscape crater. On the park’s centennial, we reprise that journey.

Now that federal funds to restore "the Target Island" have dried up, Kaho‘olawe's caretakers are scrambling to maintain the work of healing this sacred place.

Discovering culture through dance.

Maui's winningest canoe club is borrowing lessons from the past to surge ahead.