Hawaii Culture Research Paper

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Hawai’i, in its uniqueness, embodies a boiling pot of different ethnicities and cultures. A place called “Paradise” is what it’s prominently known for and its environment seems to support that. When we think of Hawaii and its people, we could argue that they are welcoming and peaceful people, but what makes them that way? Looking upon Hawaiian culture we can see that one of their focus is to care for the land. Coming from an outsider’s or non-local’s point of view, Hawaiians may be thought as environmentalist or treehuggers, but that’s just hasty assumptions. Let’s look deeper into these ideas and analyze Hawaiian culture and behavior. It’s critical to learn about Hawaiian origin traditions, such as the concept of malama aina, the aikapu…show more content…
Back then in Hawaiian culture, the ‘aikapu was practice and enforced strictly because it was apart of their religion. However, if you were to look at modern Hawaiian families you will see them eating various of foods amongst each other, both female and male at the same table. You may ask, “Whatever happened to sticking to old traditions?” Ainoa is the answer and in the year 1819, was the year of the abolition of the aikapu system. Liholiho, who was the son of King Kamehameha, was pressured to either stick with the old customs and traditions or to save his beloved family members that he dearly loved. Learning this helps our understanding of why the aikapu tradition is not further carried out in some Hawaiian families. Also understanding the concept of malama aina helps us understand certain issues going on today such as the planned construction of a telescope on Mauna Kea. A protester name Kealoha Pisciotta explains her reason on why the telescope should not be built, “This is not only an ecologically sensitive area,” she told me. For Hawaiians, it’s where our origin story begins. It’s a place where significant ancestors are buried, so it’s a burial ground. It’s the abode of the gods and goddesses, and you have to go there with strong reverence”

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