HAWAIIANS

American Indian Groups

GENERAL
A hale (pronounced HAH-lay) is a structure built with
INFORMATION natural Hawaiian materials and designs that were prevalent
during 19th century Hawaii. The hales are built with rock or
wood for the lower structure and grass/leaves for the
thatched roof.

The Hawaiian Islands were first settled as early as There are 4 classic styles of hale:
400 C.E., when Polynesians from the Marquesas
Hale Halawai -
Islands, 2000 miles away, traveled to Hawaii’s Big open walls
Island in canoes. Highly skilled farmers and Hale Ku`ai – shed
fishermen, Hawaiians lived in small communities Hale Noa - fully
ruled by chieftains who battled one another for enclosed
territory. Hale Wa`a - A
Frame

SOCIAL LIFE TRADITIONS

HOUSING
1. The honi ihu, or the touching of noses, is a traditional method of
Agregar texto

Hawaiian society evolved into a highly stratified
hierarchy. The highest authority in all arenas was the
mo`i, or king, the ali`i holding the highest chiefly rank.
The mo`i was the ultimate owner of all annual taxes, he
oversaw important religious rites and acted as leader
during times of war. The top two advisors to the mo`i
were the kalaimoku, or chief minister, and the kahuna
nui, or high priest.
greeting one another, whether it’s a man and woman, two men or two
women. It allows both people to exchange breath, which is the supremely
important life force in Hawaiian understanding, and also share scents and
convey a closeness in relationship.
2. Made out of flowers, bird feathers, shells, seeds, hair or ivory, the lei
(garland or wreath) has become a symbol of Hawaii. Worn on the top of the
head or around the neck, lei were used ornamentally by Native Hawaiians,
especially chiefs, to signify their rank. Giving a lei was a traditional practice,
but not like the ceremonious welcome practice that has become the local
custom today. The manner of presenting was also different: it was tied
around the neck, rather than casting the lei over the head, respecting the
sacredness of a person’s head and back.

CLOTHING
FOOD Arroz largo con pollo: pollo cocinado con caldo de

Living in a benign climate, Hawaiian requirements for shelter and de taro y una hoja de ti , también puede incluir pollo,
clothing were minimal. The basic garments were a malo, or loincloth,
solo pollo o solo cerdo
for men, a pa`u, or skirt, for women and a rectangular shawl or kihei for
both. All were made of kapa, a barkcloth made from wauke, mamaki, Loco moco : hamburguesas servidas con salsa y
oloa, `akala, or hau plant fibers. While kapa is produced throughout cubiertas con dos huevos.
Polynesia and the first settlers brought wauke plants (paper mulberry)
Mochi —un postre japonés de arroz glutinoso
with them, as Hawaiian kapa evolved, its quality surpassed that of any

GEOGRAPHY
AND CLIMATE

other region.
pollo , jengibre, cebollas verdes y arroz largo. Cerdo
Kalua : cerdocon repollo marinado al vapor semilla
de crack
Lau lau : pescado y cerdo al vapor envueltos en hojas

Hawaii is one of the 50 states of the United States. It is the newest of the states (it joined the
union in 1959) and it is the only U.S. state that is an island archipelago. Hawaii is located in the
Pacific Ocean to the southwest of the continental U.S., southeast of Japan and northeast of
Australia. Hawaii is known for its tropical climate, unique topography, and natural environment,
as well as its multicultural population.
Since Hawaii is located in the tropics, its climate is mild and summer highs are usually in the
upper 80s (31˚C) and winters are in the low 80s (28˚C). There are also wet and dry seasons on
the islands and the local climate on each island varies based on one's position in relation to the
mountain ranges. Windward sides are typically wetter, while leeward sides are sunnier. Kauai
has the second highest average rainfall on Earth.

Crafts
Native Hawaii before and after European contact presents a unique and rich culture brimming with arts, including feather work, kapa (bark cloth),
petroglyphs, wood and stone carvings, and tattoos. Meticulously crafted and invested with deep meaning, these works were never merely
decorative – often they served practical, social and spiritual purposes.
Extremely valuable and once possessed solely by the alii (chiefs), a feather cape or helmet required a remarkable amount of industry to create.
The kia manu (bird catchers) would have to gather an incredible number of feathers, from as many as 20,000 birds, who would be released after a
few feathers were taken. Then the crafter created a unique design embedded with meaning for the chief and bound it all together on a woven
foundation. Feathers were also used to fabricate kahili (feather standards) and lei.
Kapa, a fine material made by beating the wauke (paper mulberry) plant, was once the primary material for clothing and bedding. The labor intensive
process of making kapa began with growing plants for up to two years before harvesting. Beaten with a wooden mallet into papery sheets, the kapa is
imprinted with symbolic designs and stained with colorful dyes.
Sculpting objects, such as wood, bone or stone, is another art form prevalent in old Hawaii. Ancient petroglyphs carved in stone can be seen around
the islands, their meaning still an object of historic inquiry. Whale teeth were carved into a hook-shaped pendant for the lei niho palaoa, an ornament
traditionally worn around the neck of a chief. Wood and stone were used to depict gods—many intricately carved master works can be seen at the
Bishop Museum. And everyday objects, such as fishhooks, were carved out of bone.
Traditional Hawaiian tattooing involves hand-tapping a needle into the skin, a sacred process weighty with protocol to instill the wearer with spiritual
power. The traditional process is experiencing a renaissance today. The designs, connected to the wearer’s genealogy and social hierarchy, are
researched and determined by the tattooist.
 SOURCES
https://www.parentcenterhub.org/historical-trauma-native-hawaiians-spanish/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawaiian_architecture
https://fashion-history.lovetoknow.com/clothing-around-world/southeastern-islands-pacific-asia-history-dress
https://www.thoughtco.com/geography-of-hawaii-1435728
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/hawaii-history-and-heritage
4164590/#:~:text=The%20Hawaiian%20Islands%20were%20first,battled%20one%20another%20for%20territory.
https://www.gohawaii.com/hawaiian-culture/traditions
https://www.gohawaii.com/hawaiian
culture/art#:~:text=TRADITIONAL%20ART,and%20stone%20carvings%2C%20and%20tattoos.
http://www.hawaiihistory.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=ig.page&CategoryID=318