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Hawaii (State of) Local Customs

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Hawaii (State of) Local Customs

'Uli 'uli
by TropicGirl77

Learn the local customs of Hawaii (State of). Tips and photos posted by real travelers and Hawaii (State of) locals.

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Hawaii (State of) Local Customs

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	Whale Watching is a "Must" on Maui Tip Rating:

Updated By deecat on June 5, 2005

Hawaii (State of) Page by deecat

Whale Watch Captain
giving the "Hang Loose"
Sign

by deecat

Fortunately, we were in Maui during the month of January, which is a good time for seeing the whales.

The best place to learn about the whales is at the Island Marine Institute.

Every year from mid-December through mid-May, the humpback whales make Maui waters their home. These whales migrate almost 3,500 miles from their Alaskan summer feeding waters. Because of Maui's warm waters, this is where they have their calves.

The Island Marine Institute does research each winter/spring season on the humpback whales. They have whale watch vessels, which they combine the resources of a successful commercial operation with the needs of the marine research team.

You can go aboard one of their whale watch vessels to see the whales.

The Photograph is of the Captain of the Whale Watch Boat Giving the "Hang Loose" Sign.

They are located at: 658 Front Street, #101
Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii 96761

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Phone: 1 800 275-6969

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	Eat breadfruit! Tip Rating:

By joiwatani on October 29, 2007

Hawaii (State of) Page by joiwatani

Sierra at the Aloha Tower
picking up a breadfruit

by joiwatani

While walking down the Aloha Tower, a breadfruit just fell down in front of us! I was so glad the fruit didn't fall on my daughter's head. Sierra gladly picked up the fruit!

Anyway, the breadfruit tree has huge leaves and has huge fruits. The local people gather them to eat. The riped fruits get bigger. The fruit is boiled and the meat of the fruit is eaten. We dipped the boiled fruit in sugar! It is high in calories and good carbohydrates.

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	Love and Aloha via Flower leis Tip Rating:

By TropicGirl77 on March 11, 2003

Hawaii (State of) Page by TropicGirl77

Flower Leis

by TropicGirl77

Here is a traditional flower lei being giving at the Honolulu Int'l Airport. Unfortunately, everyone flying to Hawaii does not automatically receive such a lei, unless you are being met by a host family or part of a tour group. Leis are given at many different occasions around the islands ... birthdays, graduations, arrivals, departures, retirements, weddings etc ... anytime you wish to show aloha for any special occasion, giving a flower lei (or any other type for that matter) will not be out of place!

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	I think the Hawaiian locals love to perform for us Tip Rating:

Updated By Waalewiener on March 8, 2003

Hawaii (State of) Page by Waalewiener

Beautiful lady , beautiful
long hair.

by Waalewiener

I think it is wonderful to see how the local Hawaiian people love to perform for us tourist , it looked to me that they put a lot of effort in their performances, and really wanted us to have a good time.
This picture is a good example of that.
It was a great show .

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	Wearing of the leis Tip Rating:

By joiwatani on May 10, 2009

Hawaii (State of) Page by joiwatani

My daughter Shelby wearing a
pikaki lei

by joiwatani, 4 more photos

Special occasions like birthdays, weddings, etc., the locals tend to dress up with their nice Aloha shirts and Mumu dresses with matching leis!

The leis are made of Pikaki flowers and these are very expensive. They smell so good, too!

The cheaper leis are made from plumeria.

There are many flower stores in Hawaii that sells this leis and can be shipped anywhere in the world!

The men usually wear those necklaces made of nutshells, black in color.

Leis are also worn on graduation time. They give these to the graduates as gifts. The leis are sometimes made of wrapped candies and even made for dollar bills!

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	Hula Implements ... Uli uli Tip Rating:

Updated By TropicGirl77 on January 24, 2003

Hawaii (State of) Page by TropicGirl77

'Uli 'uli

by TropicGirl77

Hula is performed on many levels, guys and gals alike. Originally, it was the men that did the dancing, though now you will see more women performers. Many of the performers will use implements while dancing. Pictured here are what is called uli uli, which is a small seed filled gourd rattle that are generally decorated with red and yellow feathers. These, by the way, make wonderful souvenirs too.

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	Leave your shoes at the door please Tip Rating:

By TropicGirl77 on January 10, 2003

Hawaii (State of) Page by TropicGirl77

Please remove your shoes
before entering

by TropicGirl77

Most locals appreciate you leaving your shoes at the front door before you walk inside. A neat phrase I've seen is along the lines of "Eh, take your shoes off before you enter, but no leave with better ones!" ... so true, be sure you're taking your own shoes home when you leave. My sister will testify to being the last to leave and having to wear a mis-matched pair of slippers home because they were the only ones left!

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	Another Hula implement - Pu 'ili Tip Rating:

Updated By TropicGirl77 on February 7, 2003

Hawaii (State of) Page by TropicGirl77

Pu 'ili

by TropicGirl77

There are many items used while dancing various hulas. Pictured here is one commonly called the pu 'ili. These are made of split bamboo, and is used individually or in a pair by tapping each one together or by tapping it on the dancers' shoulders or body. These too, make an inexpensive souvenir.

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	Konane . . . A hawaiian game Tip Rating:

By TropicGirl77 on January 5, 2003

Hawaii (State of) Page by TropicGirl77

Konane, an old Hawaiian game

by TropicGirl77

This is not a custom per se, but an old strategic game the Hawaiians used to play which is similar to our checkers in some ways. This was generally played during makahiki. You would use black lava rock and perhaps white coral. The object is to get rid of as many of your opponents rocks, yet the winner is determined by WHO makes the last legal move. Here, you see the "board" is a pitted rock. The number of pits per board varied from 64 through sometimes as many as 250.

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	Shaka to me! Tip Rating:

Updated By H-TownJourneyman on January 28, 2006

Hawaii (State of) Page by H-TownJourneyman

Hang Loose!

by H-TownJourneyman

If you've ever noticed a hand gesture where the person extends their thumb and pinky finger, and tucks their middle fingers in, then you have seen the Shaka. It is a signal to greet someone, or just to say "What's Up?". It's origins come from Hawaii, and it dates back to the early 20th century. The story that I have been told is that there was a guard on a sugar plantation on Oahu that had lost his middle fingers in a mill accident. When kids would try to steal sugar cane, he would yell and wave his hand at them. Of course having only the 2 outer fingers, it was a very distinct wave. The kids adopted the hand gesture of tucking in their middle fingers to look like the guard's hand to signal to each other that the guard was nearby. Ever since then, it has been used on the islands. Surfers use it quite frequently as well, as Hawaii has some of the best surf in the world. This has spread the Shaka worldwide. So if you see someone give you a Shaka, don't be offended, just Shaka them back!

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