Culture of the Native Hawaiians

Traditional Polynesian dancers performing near Waikiki beach, on Oahu.

The culture of the Native Hawaiians is about 1500 years old and has its origins in the Polynesians who voyaged to and settled Hawaii. These Native Hawaiians developed culary, artistic, and religious culture and practices.

Ho'oponopono

Ho'oponopono (ho-o-pono-pono) is a cultural practice of reconciliation and forgiveness, usually combined with prayer. Similar forgiveness practices were performed on islands throughout the South Pacific, including Samoa, Tahiti and New Zealand. It is used in spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical healing practices. Traditional Hawaiian philosophy does not consider the physical and non-physical aspects of the world to be separate, therefore, to heal one aspect, all must be healed. Conversely, healing one will help to heal the rest. For example, if a person has an upset stomach, healing anger toward a sibling may also help to heal the stomach. Modern versions of ho`oponopono may also contain elements of Christian belief and ritual. A session of ho`oponopono is generally guided by a kahuna (traditional priest or healer), kahu (minister), kumu (traditional teacher), or family elder. Sometimes individuals will conduct ho`oponopono on themselves alone.

European contact, colonization, and immigration

As Hawaii has become home to many different ethnic groups during the past 200 years, each ethnic group has added elements of its own culture. Today, contemporary culture in Hawaii is a mix of these different cultures and ethnic groups.

Hawaiiana

Hawaiiana is a popular term of academia used in reference to history and various aspects of the culture of Hawai'i, currently a region and state of the United States. The term is used especially in reflection of the periods of antiquity and the Kingdom of Hawai'i era. Hawaiiana has become increasingly popular among students of history and sociology throughout the world. The principal repository of Hawaiiana is the Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum in Honolulu on the island of O'ahu. The institution is also called the Hawai'i State Museum of Natural and Cultural History and often shares artifacts and information with other institutions globally for the sake of research and study.

The term "Hawaiiana" was coined in 1948 by Hawaiian entertainer and cultural expert, Nona Beamer.^[1]

See also

• Cuisine of Hawaii
• Hawaiian art
• Hula
• Hawaiian language
• Lei
• Music of Hawaii
• Native Hawaiians
• First Hawaiian Renaissance
• Second Hawaiian Renaissance
• Ray Jerome Baker (1880–1972), an American photographer noteworthy as a pioneering photographer, and in particular for his studies portraying the people of Hawaii

See also

• Native Hawaiian cuisine

References

State of Hawaiʻi Honolulu (capital) Topics Delegations Geography Government History Islands Language Music People Tourism Transportation Seal of Hawaii Society Crime Culture Demographics Economy Education Politics Sports Main Islands Hawaiʻi Kahoʻolawe Kauaʻi Lānaʻi Maui Molokaʻi Niʻihau Oʻahu Northwestern Islands French Frigate Shoals Gardner Kure Laysan Lisianski Maro Reef Necker Nihoa Pearl and Hermes Communities Hilo Honolulu Kahului Kāneʻohe Līhuʻe Pearl City Waipahu Counties Hawaiʻi Honolulu Kalawao Kauaʻi Maui Sovereignty Movement Hawaiian Renaissance 2008 occupation of Iolani Palace