Locals Know

“Locals Know” stories published in Maui Nō Ka ʻOi Magazine

kamaʻaina

The Meaning of Kamaʻaina

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

Hawaii Ponoʻi

Get the translation of Hawai'i Pono'i.
boy flag tradition

Wave If It’s a Boy

Fish-shaped streamers are part of the celebration of Boys’ Day, a Japanese holiday that arrived in the Hawaiian Islands with early plantation workers.

Steals & Splurges

Here are ten penny-pinching tips for having food, fun, and a fabulous time on the Valley Isle—and ten more worth breaking the bank for.
mu‘umu‘u

Mu‘umu‘u

What we now call the mu‘umu‘u—any loose Hawaiian-print dress hanging from the shoulders—has come a long way since its genesis as underwear.
maui wetlands

Harboring the Wetland

Kahului once was home to birds and two inland fishponds.

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.
chili pepper water

Savoring the Burn

Locals splash chili pepper water on just about anything, but the origin of this ubiquitous Hawai‘i condiment remains a mystery.
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.
Hawaii Queen Liliuokalani

“The Queen’s Jubilee”

A talented and prolific composer as well as the heir to Hawai‘i’s throne, Liliuokalani was inspired to write several songs, one of which is named “The Queen’s Jubilee.”
hapa haole music

Hapa Haole Music

Born in the early 1900s, Hawaiian hapa haole music evolved over the decades to match whatever song style was popular at the time, from ragtime to rap.

Night Marchers

Hawaiian legend says that night marchers haunt certain paths,
kayak with shark bite

Shark Tale

Maui Nō Ka ‘Oi photographer Daniel Sullivan came face-to-face with a great white shark — and survived.
hawaii graduation lei

Talk Story

Fresh off the coconut wireless

Maui Events & News

Imua Family Services’ Will Smith Discovery Garden

A World of Pure Imagination  Story by Savy Janssen Photographs by Jason Moore  Sunlight filtered through the outstretched arms of the 120-year-old monkey pod trees, and...

A Day in the Life of Maui People

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