There are many symbols of Hawaiian culture, such as the lei, the tiki statue, or perhaps even the mai tai. Many of these symbols instantly conjure up images of the beach. The conch shell, one popular Hawaiian symbol, is still used and revered today. A conch is a large, curved seashell that when blown into, will emit a deep, resounding noise. There are two types of shells that can be used: the cassis cornuta and the triton. Depending on how the conch is used, the..
The ancient Hawaiians, being of Polynesian influence, were quite knowledgeable in the ways of sea travel. While the first ancient Hawaiians came from other Polynesian islands, those living in Hawaii soon developed their own methods and canoe designs to make traveling from island to island easier. The ancient canoe designs of the Hawaiians included sailing canoes and paddling canoes. Paddling canoes were easier to launch and land. However, canoes equipped with sails were..
Most people on the mainland are familiar with the characteristic flowers, leaves, and vines that adorn Hawaiian fabric, but it wasn’t always that way. In fact, the first settlers of Hawaii used to make their own cloth out of mulberry tree bark. They would pound the bark into a malleable pulp similar to thick paper, which went by the name of kapa.
When American missionaries visited the Hawaiian natives, they learned about modern fabrics and sewing. Then, they..
The Samoan Fire Knife Dance is a truly spectacular dance. This dance was created in 1946 by Letuli Olo Misilagi of Samoa. Its origins date back to the ancient Samoan Ailao, a dance also called the Knife Dance. Letuli was inspired by circus fire eaters to add fire to the knives, creating a spectacle that soon became wildly popular in Samoa and beyond.
The Fire Knife Dance is truly one of the fiercest dances because its original purpose was that the men do this dance before..
Hawaii and pineapple simply seem to go together. If you've ever sipped a pina colada or eaten a bite of sweet and sour shrimp, then you understand the tangy allure of this tropical fruit. A Blue Hawaii just isn't the same without a chunk of delicious pineapple. For many years, it has been Hawaii's largest crop, especially on the island of Lanai, also known as “Pineapple Island.” Lanai is one of the smallest occupied Hawaiian islands, measuring just 140.5 acres...
Hawaii's Iolani Palace is the only royal palace located within the United Stated. A National Historic Landmark, it is located in downtown Honolulu.
When King Kamehameha III became king, he lived in a beautiful grass dwelling. After spending many years grieving the death of his beloved sister Nahi’ena’ena, he returned to the seat of Hawaiian government in Honolulu. There, a stately house had been built for his niece, Victoria Kamamalu. This home eventually..
The history of the inhabitants of the Hawaiian Islands begins several thousand years ago when they migrated from other Polynesian islands. Little is known of this early period of Hawaiian history except what can be discerned through archaeological evidence and oral traditions.
It is believed that throughout this early history, each island of the chain had its own individual rulers. These rules competed amongst themselves to become King of a united Hawaii, and many saw a..
Petroglyph carvings are made with one stone used as a hammer and a second stone sharp enough to carve out the image of the petroglyph. Though these stone engravings are more closely associated with other areas of the globe, in fact petroglyph sites can be found as evidence of ancient peoples all over the world.
European petroglyphs are considered to be the oldest, estimated to be more than 10,000 years old. Throughout Polynesia, there are numerous examples of petroglyphs,..