Windermere / C and H Properties - Kona
Hawaii: The Aloha State
Everyone agrees that the Aloha State of Hawaii is beautiful and a premier tourist destination. Not everyone knows much about life here in our island paradise, so read on for some interesting and informative facts.
Geography
Our seven populated islands, eight including Kahoolawe which is unpopulated, are about 200 miles larger than Rhode Island and Connecticut together! Known as the “Big Island”, the island of Hawaii, or Hawaii County, is large enough to contain all of the other islands combined with space left over. Many people think of Hawaii in terms of the island of Oahu, home of the city of Honolulu and the seat of our state government, however the state is composed of the islands of Niihau, privately owned and with restricted access, Kauai, known for its tropical rain forests, Oahu, our most populated and urban island, Molokai, sparsely populated and famous for the old-time leper colony founded by Father Damien, Lanai, also sparsely populated but becoming more tourist oriented, Maui, famous for its luxury resorts and tourist industry, Kahoolawe, formerly used as a US Navy gunnery target, but now restored to its former position as a Hawaiian sacred place, and Hawaii, (or the Big Island), famous for its active and dormant volcanoes, laid-back attitude, Kona coffee, and its enduring spirit of aloha.
There are also over 100 minor islands that now comprise the world’s largest marine sanctuary. Surpassing Australia's Great Barrier Reef, the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) form part of a 140,000-square-mile (362,580-square-kilometer) protected area nearly the size of California.
Government
Unique to the State of Hawaii, and often confusing to newcomers, is our system of counties. We do not have individual city or municipal governments - just our four counties: Kauai County (Kauai and Niihau), City and County of Honolulu (Oahu), Maui County (Maui, Molokai, Lanai, and Kahoolawe), and Hawaii County, (Hawaii or the “Big Island”). Each county has a mayor and county council. A perplexing concept for mainlanders is the fact with this system of government, there are no city limits, no “city halls”, and the police and fire departments are all under the jurisdiction of the counties.
History
Our history is also unique. To summarize it here would be a disservice. Much has been written about the discovery of our islands, probably by Polynesians voyaging in canoes, our kings, the unification and government of the islands under the Kamehameha dynasty, our monarchy and its palaces, the visit to the islands by Captain Cook, the overthrow of the monarchy, and Hawaiian statehood. Much has also been written about the current efforts of Senator Daniel Akaka (The Akaka Bill) to secure rights for native Hawaiians, and if one is truly interested in our Hawaiian life, the exploration of native movements to restore the monarchy will provide a better insight into the desires and beliefs of the Hawaiian nation. Currently we are in the midst of a Hawaiian cultural revolution, with a renaissance in Hawaiian music and dance, Hawaiian language immersion schools, and a renewed interest in perpetuating the native crafts, ancient customs and beliefs.
Culture
Ukulele lesson in the park.
Photo by Sri Maiava Rusden / www.HVCB.org
Hawaii is truly a melting pot and this racial diversity is one of the things that makes Hawaii special. All races are represented and over the years, we have developed our own customs, and even our own way of speaking. Local customs include removing your shoes when going inside someone’s home, always arriving to visit with a gift – even if it is just a flower or two, and treating others politely and pleasantly (particularly when driving!). Happiness, generosity and a “take it easy” attitude govern our way of life. You will soon get into the habit of giving and receiving a hug when meeting friends or family, thus sharing your aloha. Aloha is also demonstrated by the giving of lei for birthdays, arrivals, departures, proms, weddings, promotions, or any reason for celebration! Speaking of celebration, any excuse at all is valid reason for a party or a beach picnic involving FOOD – everyone brings something to share, often music is played, but the “talk story” and getting together with one’s friends and loved ones is the important part. One of the most important celebrations in our Hawaiian lifestyle is the first birthday of a child. No expense is spared, and everyone is invited to honor this occasion.
As you become more familiar with the islands, you will become more adept with chopsticks as you find favorite places for “plate lunch” (2 scoops rice, 1 scoop macaroni salad, and meat such as teriyaki beef or chicken, fish, chicken katsu, ribs,) or the best places for Hawaiian food such as lau-lau, kalua pork, lomi-lomi salmon, poke (raw fish with seasonings), and shave ice. Not “shaved ice”, but shave ice, i.e., a sno-cone – sometimes served very elegantly with ice cream and adzuki beans on the bottom!
NOTE: Hawaiians and local people are the ones sitting in the shade, not sunning themselves on the sand or around the swimming pools!
The spirituality of the islands is also unique. The Hawaiians feel very strongly their bonds to the land and the sea, and they feel that it is their “kuleana” (responsibility) to care for and honor their environment. Any new home, office, groundbreaking, or business opening is celebrated by a blessing, where a member of the clergy, or a “kahu” (minister) will perform a ceremony that usually involves using a ti leaf to sprinkle water from a calabash on the new endeavor. In Hawaii we honor the land, the elderly, the sea, and the family, making our islands a truly enjoyable place to live.
Come join us!