Write An Essay On Hawaiian Culture

The islands of Hawaii is a dream vacation destination for many tourists; however, many people don’t understand the culture and beliefs that are important to locals. It’s important to learn about Hawaiian culture as it is filled with valuable lessons of caring and passion that we should pass on to future generations. Although neither of us are of Hawaiian descent, we both researched about the culture and topic heavily. Today, Kyana and I prepared this presentation to share the main aspects of native Hawaiian culture. We’ll discuss Hawaiian values and traditions, food, the arts, and lastly spiritual beliefs.

Based on spiritual beliefs and old legends, Hawaiian culture is primarily guided by values and traditions passed down from their ancestors.

One of the more popular aspects of Hawaiian culture is the hula. Its history connects to the storytelling of goddesses and spiritual power from ancient times, which were typically performed by both men and women. Modern hula, also known as hula auana, “developed under the influence of Western culture… it is often accompanied by musical instruments that were introduced by newcomers” (“Hula in Hawaiian Culture,” 2019, para. 6). Additionally, dancers traditionally wear varying costumes and accessories. Modern hula, as well as ancient hula or hula kahiko, are both commonly performed at public events in Hawaii. While art in Hawaiian culture has many influences from other cultural groups, Hawaiian music also has its own unique aspects. Referred to as “mele” or chants, music in Hawaii also served to tell ancient myths and stories. An article “Musics of Hawaii” states that “chants also recorded the daily life of the Hawaiian people, their love of the land, humor or tragedy, and the heroic character of their leader” (n.d., para. 2). Some common instruments used in traditional Hawaiian music include the Hawaiian steel guitar, ukulele (which actually originated in Europe), and the “pahu” drum indigenous to Polynesian

According to the National Park Service, Native Hawaiians worshiped a number of deities, but they were separated into 2 categories. Akua represented the gods that controlled nature and the elements. The ‘aumakua more so represents the ancestral gods that the ancient Hawaiians believed in. Similar to the other parts of modern Hawaiian culture, due to outside influences, religion in Hawaii continued to evolve and change. Modern day Hawaiian beliefs and culture has been influenced by outside cultures and settlers. According to Glader (2022), the Hawaiian population is about 63% Christian. Missionaries went to the islands after Captain Cook arrived, spreading Catholicism and Christianity. However, the native Hawaiians also integrated their own deities like Madame Pele, goddess of volcanoes and fire, which caused problems with the missionaries and Captain Cook. Even after the missionaries and white settlers fled, the house of worship still remained and made its way into Hawaiian beliefs and