Hollywood has given sharks a bad rep over the years, and it’s too bad because sharks play a huge role in the ocean system. Sharks are apex predators, meaning that they’re at the top of the food chain. Their role ensures that the species below them don’t overpopulate and ultimately keep the life of the ocean balanced. Unfortunately, sharks are being harvested and hunted at unsustainable rates—we’re talking millions of sharks killed a year. I hope that this article, with some punny lines and cultural insights from a Hawaiian perspective, can help all of us appreciate sharks a little more and do our part to protect them. 🦈
The Shark in Hawaiian Culture
In Hawaii, the manō, shark, was hunted and used for jewelry, weapons, and other tools. Shark skin was used to make drums for hula dancing. Hawaiians exercised caution, especially when a specific area was known to have sharks. An old folktale said that if one placed a ti leaf in the water and it floated, it was safe to swim. If the ti leaf sank, it wasn’t safe.
The most commonly known representation of the manō in the Hawaiian culture includes the concept of the ‘aumakua. An ‘aumakua is deceased ancestor who takes the shape of a specific animal. It could be a pueo (owl), ‘io (hawk), mo’o (gecko), nai’i (dolphin), manō, or any other kind of animal. The ‘aumakua wasn’t meant to be worshipped but rather honored and revered. Families would leave food for their ‘aumakua if the animal frequented their area. Sometimes ‘aumakua came to warn, protect, or guide their descendants to take the correct path. The manō is an ‘aumakua animal, which is why the Hawaiians were careful of which animals they hunted. It would be completely disrespectful to kill an ‘aumakua.
My Experience with Sharks
With that said, we can learn so much from the behavior and biology of sharks. They’re quite beautiful and magnificent creatures. One of the most common questions I get asked about Hawaii is, “Are there sharks in Hawaii?” The answer is, yes, of course! There are sharks all throughout the ocean. But when we respect boundaries and take precautions, we can coexist. I’ve only seen sharks twice in my life, and I lived in Hawaii for a long time. And those times I saw the sharks were times I shouldn’t have been in the water anyways. However, I can say they’re quite amazing creatures. Since leaving Hawaii, I’ve felt a desire to do my part in protecting sharks. Read to the end to know how you can help too! Without further adieu, here are 5 life lessons from a shark!
Five Life Lessons from a Shark
Know Your Place
Sharks know their place as apex predators, and they’re not afraid to own that. Do we know our place? In our family, community, Country, and even the world? One value that can help us know our place, our purpose, and mission in life is kuleana, responsibility. Each of us a responsibility and a unique contribution to make in this world. Every life is precious and worthy, including yours!
Keep Swimming
Sharks continue to swim, no matter what. When life throws curveballs and challenges our way, how can we respond with grace and aloha? Instead of getting upset and angry about the scars, can we keep swimming? How much energy would we save if we chose to forgive, let go, and move forward?
Have a Sense of Curiosity
Sharks have a natural curiosity. They like to see what others are up to, and get a closer look. Are there things that we can be a little more curious about in life? When I think of curiosity, I think of the value of pa’a ka waha, which means to “close the mouth.” We spend too much time talking about ourselves. Why don’t we hand others the mic and see what they have to say? Be curious about their lives, and you’ll be surprised by the insights and lessons you learn.
Stay Sharp
Shark teeth are so fascinating… and sharp! Are we keeping our skills sharp, or are we choosing to let life slip through our fingers? A graphologist told me that I’m not a naturally organized person, but I’ve developed skills to become organized. This reminded me that too often we give up on certain skills because “it just doesn’t come naturally” or “it’s too hard.” But the truth is: anyone can develop a skill if they practice and create a system that works to develop that skill.
So whether you want to be more organized, patient, motivated, or whatever else, remember that it’s totally possible. Sharpen that skill, and it will eventually become a part of who you are and what you naturally do.
Do Fin-tastic Things
Life’s too short to say, “I just can’t do that” or “I’m not ___ enough” or “I can’t afford it.” With the value of ‘ike loa (seeing much), we can see endless possibilities ahead. We can ho’omau by creating solutions to our problems and do all the fin-tastic things we ever dreamed of.
Bonus: Be Jaw-some! 🦈
How to Support Conservation Efforts for Sharks
Do you love sharks as much as I do? Want to support conservation efforts in a way that’s easy and fun? Fahlo is a wildlife conservation company that sells affordable, cute bracelets. Each bracelet comes with a shark that you can track. Fahlo sends the proceeds to conservation efforts that support and protect sharks, turtles, polar bears, and elephants. I love that I can wear a bracelet reminding me to mālama the earth and its animals.
If you want to get your own bracelet, or, even better, gift a bracelet to a shark loving friend, check out Fahlo. Use my code LEIALOHA20 to get 20% off your order!
Any thoughts?
Did I forget any life lessons from a shark? Write your shark puns, lessons, and ideas in the comments! Mahalo!
Learn 5 easy Hawaiian nature words before your next trip! Hawaii is known for its beautiful, unique, tropical plants and gorgeous landscapes. There are especially quite a few nature words that one comes across when living or visiting Hawaii. I think it’s important to know these basic words, and appreciate that they represent so much more than the object itself. When we learn more about the Hawaiian language and culture, we can appreciate and respect the Hawaiian islands so much more.
So here are 5 easy Hawaiian nature words that you should know before you go to Hawaii. Keep an eye out for these, and I guarantee that knowing the Hawaiian words will help you appreciate the nature of Hawaii so much more!
Flower
In Hawaiian, flower is pua, pronounced poo – ah. This is a generic term and doesn’t specify what type. Some flowers start with pua, and then specify the type, such as puakenikeni, while others have their own names, like aloalo (hibiscus) or melia (hibiscus).
Rainbow
Hawaii rains a lot, so it’s no surprise that rainbows appear on a daily, sometimes hourly, basis! Rainbow is anuenue, pronounced ah-noo-eh-noo-eh.
Fern
Hawaii has tons of ferns, and they’re incredibly beautiful. I hope people appreciate the beauty of ferns more, because they make the nature landscapes of Hawaii so tropical, vibrant, and green! Fern is kupukupu in Hawaiian and is pronounced koo-poo-koo-poo. Easy, right? 😉
Hawaiians and locals use ferns for mostly decorative purposes, like making a lei or floral arrangement. Ferns come in many varieties, and like the term pua, kupukupu is a generic word for fern. Some Hawaiian ferns have a word added to the end of kupukupu to identify a specific species, while others have their own, unique names.
Tree
La’au, pronounced, lah-au, is tree. Like the other terms in this article, la’au is quite general. Locals generally refer to a tree as kumu, but technically the kumu is the trunk. There are a variety of unique trees in Hawaii including the koa, rainbow eucalyptus, palm, and more!
Coconut
Lastly, you have to appreciate the coconut palm trees in Hawaii. Coconut is niu in Hawaiian, pronounced nee-oo. They aren’t so easy to crack open but are quite refreshing if you can get to the inside! Coconuts have been so useful for the Hawaiians for decades. While I’m not going to list off all of its uses, I remember being fascinated, as young girl, watching a performer at the Polynesian Culture Center use hibiscus twigs to start a fire and light the coconut fibers. Every part of the coconut can be useful!
I hope you enjoyed this article! Are there Hawaiian nature words you want to learn more about, or one that you think should’ve been included in this article? Let me know in the comments below!
This article is a part of my Hawaiian Nature series, so be sure to check out the others like it!
Learn 5 Hawaiian water words to inspire our appreciation for such a vital resource. Water is an important life force in any culture and environment, but especially in Hawaii. Growing up on the Big Island, it rained nearly everyday in Hilo, but it was never a cause to complain. Water is life. Where there is water, there is life, and it is a blessing.
It was normal to carry an umbrella anywhere we went, as well as wear slippers, because our feet got wet anyways. Whether we went to the beach, sloshed through rainy streets, or splashed into a refreshing waterfall, we appreciate water.
I hope these Hawaiian water words inspire you to appreciate the importance of water and make an effort to conserve and keep clean this vital resource.
Read to the end for some exciting news too! 🙂 MAHALO for your continued aloha and support of me and this blog!
Rain
Ua, pronounced “oo-ah,” means rain in Hawaiian. You might hear Hawaiian water words like this during a chant or hula. There are other poetic ways to say “rain” but ua is the most frequently used, at least where I grew up. According to the Wehewehe dictionary, “rain or rains may signify joy, life, growth, greenery; good fortune (light rains, mist); grief, sorrow, and tears (heavy rains); the presence of gods or royalty, beauty; hardship.”
Ocean
“Moana” means ocean in Hawaiian. We pronounce moana the same way the Disney Moana pronounces it! This is a popular name, and not only because of the Disney movie. It represents the open ocean and used in names like Moana Pākīpika, the Pacific Ocean.
Sea
“Kai” is sea in Hawaiian. When giving directions in Hawaii, locals usually give it in terms of “makai” and “mauka.” Makai refers to the direction towards the ocean, and mauka refers to the direction towards the mountains. Many Hawaiian names use the word “kai,” either as simply Kai, Kekai (the sea), Kailani (heavenly sea), Kainani (beautiful sea), and so forth.
Water
I love the word for water in Hawaiian. Wai. Doesn’t it just sound so pretty? The “w” is usually pronounced with a “v” instead of a “w” sound. So the word sounds like “vai.” Water is so important to the Hawaiians. Their whole socioeconomic systems, the ahupu’a, were established along rivers and pie-shaped wedges of land that ran from the mountains to the sea. Wai is not a commonly used word by locals, but it is one that we know and appreciate.
Wave
Nalu, pronounced “nah-loo,” is wave in Hawaiian. There’s a reason “he’enalu” means surfing, because “he’e” means “to slip, slide, or surf” and “nalu” means “wave.” People commonly used nalu as a name in Hawaii, but I haven’t heard variations on the name. I’ve only known people named “Nalu,” with nothing added to it. If you have heard of a variation on the name Nalu, drop it in the comments! 🙂
Bonus water words:
I had a hard time choosing which words to place into this article, so I decided to add a few bonus Hawaiian water words!
Waterfall – Wailele
River – Kahawai, which literally means “place of water”
Beach – Kahakai, which literally means “place of sea”
🌺 Exciting News for Naturally Aloha!
FeedSpot featured Naturally Aloha as one of the top 20 Hawaii Lifestyle blogs! I feel so honored to be a part of this list with so many other talented Hawaii bloggers and influencers! Check it out here!
Let’s hear from you!
What is your favorite Hawaiian water word? Is there one that I missed? Or is there a Hawaiian name that has to do with water that you love? I’d love to hear from you! Drop your thoughts in the comments below! 🙂
Hawaiian cosmo words are beautiful and meaningful. Growing up on the Big Island of Hawaii, I absolutely loved quiet nights in Mountain View. My siblings and I would lie on the road and stare up at the sky. Of course, this was before lots of people moved to the Big Island. There were always so many stars. And when the moon came out, it looked so magical against the colorful milky way.
In this article, I will share 5 Hawaiian cosmo words to inspire you to take more time out and admire the sky. There is so much to be grateful for, and when we admire God’s creations, we can feel a sense of place and peace. I hope by learning a little more about these Hawaiian cosmo words, you will be inspired to go out and experience nature for yourself!
Sun
Sun in Hawaiian is lā, pronounced “lah.” Hawaiians refer to each day as lā, and this includes days of the week. For example, Sunday is “lāpule,” which means “day of prayer.” Popular names include the word lā, such as Haleakala on Maui. Haleakala means “house of the sun.” Not very many people have the word lā in their name as far as I know, but it is a pretty and symbolic word.
Moon
Moon in Hawaiian is mahina, pronounced “mah – hi – nah.” Because the moon has several cycles, the Hawaiians added a word at the end of mahina to signify each moon cycle. There are also words to describe the halo effect around the moon, as well as the goddess of the moon (Hina). Check out Wehewehe and look up “moon” to find more variations on the word.
Stars
Star in Hawaiian is hōkū, pronounced “hoe – koo.” Ancient Hawaiians used the stars to navigate their wa’a, canoes, across vast oceans. A fun constellation that references Hawaiian mythology is Maui’s hook, more widely known as Scorpius. Hōkū is a popular name and includes Kahoku, which means “the star.” Most use the word with descriptive words at the end, such as Hokulani (heavenly star) or Hokunani (beautiful star).
Cloud
Ao is the simple word for cloud in Hawaiian. Pronounced “au,” ao usually has another word at the end of it used to described the type of cloud. For example, ao loa (long, high status) or ao ʻōnohi (rainbow colors). Use Wehewehe Online Hawaiian dictionary to find out more descriptions that Hawaiians used for clouds.
Heaven/Sky
Lani means heaven, sky, heavenly, or even spiritual. Pronounced “lah – nee,” lani is frequently used in names as a descriptor, like Hokulani, Leilani, Kailani, Ailani, Kalani, and more! However, it’s no surprise that people would use the word “lani” in their names. It symbolizes so much: heaven, heavenly, something sacred.
Let’s hear from you!
What is your favorite Hawaiian cosmo word? Is there one you love that isn’t listed here? Let me know in the comments!
Want to learn more about the Hawaiian culture? Check out my Free page for a free 5 Hawaiian Days to Wellness course or “Bringing Aloha Home” ebook!
When people ask me what Hawaiian music I like, it’s sort of a difficult question to answer. The term “Hawaiian Music” is a lot broader than people think. For example, I like the ancient style of Hawaiian music, used in hula dancing or chanting. I also like old Hawaiian music and slack key guitar, the kind that my mom would play as I grew up. Furthermore, I truly enjoy contemporary Hawaiian music, by musicians living today that are active in the Hawaiian community. Jawaiian and local favorites are also something I enjoy listening to while I’m with my siblings.
With that said, I want to explore the different genres of music within “Hawaiian music,” because there’s simply more than just one type of Hawaiian music. Hopefully, by the end of this article, you can get a better idea of what type of Hawaiian music you’re looking for, and maybe explore other categories within the bigger genre!
Ancient Hawaiian Music for Hula Dancing, Call & Response
Mele (music) has always been a huge part of the Hawaiian culture. In fact, there are two types of mele that we talk about, especially when it comes to dancing hula: kahiko and auana. Kahiko refers to the ancient music of Hawaii, involving chanting, blowing the pū, and tapping the ipu. Auana refers to modern Hawaiian music, including piano, slack key guitar, and singing.
I found a playlist that does a wonderful job of encompassing the ancient Hawaiian mele used to dance hula kahiko. As a result, you’ll hear a lot of chanting-like melodies in Hawaiian of course, by a kumuhula (hula instructor) and sometimes the dancers, as well as finger drumming on the ipu, gourd.
Not all kahiko songs are used to dance to hula because some are used to recite a genealogy, creation myth (such as the kumulipo), or as a call and response. Growing up, it wasn’t uncommon to chant an oli asking permission to enter someone’s space. For instance, in high school, my classmates and I used to chant at the beginning of the day, asking our teachers permission to enter the classrooms. They would reply with an oli of their own to accept us.
However, if we look at it anciently, when Hawaiians approached a home or even an island, they’d blow the pū, the large conch shell, to announce their arrival. Then they would chant, asking permission to enter, land, or come into the space. Those within the space would chant back their reply.
Here is a playlist of some Hawaiian mele used for hula kahiko, or as chants that tell a story, genealogy, or act as a call and response. Many of the names within this list are very popular Hawaiian singers and chanters. Enjoy!
Old Hawaiian Music & Slack Key Guitar
Hawaiian music drifted into auana (auana actually means “to drift or wander,” which is what Hawaiian music has done over time). Kanikapila is a Hawaiian word used to describe anytime a group of people get together to sing and play instruments. Growing up in Hawaii, kanikapila usually happened unplanned. Someone would bring out an ukulele or guitar, and the next thing we knew, we were all sitting in a circle and singing.
Many of the old Hawaiian songs, along with the slack key guitar, feel much like a kanikapila. They’re the songs that are most played on the radio and are beloved, and timeless to the Hawaiian culture. These songs fill me with nostalgia, as these are the songs my own mom would play. She had CDs of Na Leo, Makaha Sons, the Brothers Cazimero, and more.
There are so many hallmarks of each of these groups that I might write an article about how each one has uniquely contributed to what Hawaiian music is today. However, some of the commonalities between the old Hawaiian music is the use of the piano, guitar, ukulele, bass, and singers harmonizing. Every group or musician had their specialities though.
One popular Hawaiian singer, Lena Machado, had a particular talent of holding a note until anyone listening might think she was out of breath. However, Lena would hold the note for an extended period of time and NOT take a breath until she finished the phrase! Fun fact: Later on, Raiatea Helm continued this tradition in her music.
To sum it up, here is a list of some of my favorite traditional and old Hawaiian musicians:
Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
Brothers Cazimero
Dennis Pavao
Na Leo
Makaha Sons
Hapa
Amy Hanaiali’i
Lena Machado
Slack Key Guitar
Slack Key Guitar is another type of Hawaiian music. Some people sing to slack key guitar, but often it is done without singing. To clarify, slack key is simply a different way of tuning the guitar, and artists would pick and strum to well-known Hawaiian tunes. The playlist below is one of my favorite albums of slack key guitar. In addition, here is a brief list of some of the well-known Hawaiian slack key guitar artists:
Keola Beamer
Cyril Pahinui
Sonny Chillingworth
Popular TV & Movie Hawaiian Music
Hawaiian music has made appearances in popular tv shows and movies over the years. While there may be more, I’ve listed below some of the more popular songs that you might think of when it comes to “Hawaiian music.”
Elvis Presley & “Blue Hawaii”
The Hawaiian Wedding Song, Hukilau, Can’t Help Falling in Love, and Blue Hawaii are some of the big hits from the movie, “Blue Hawaii,” starring Elvis Presley. I was genuinely surprised by how many of my Hawaiian friends and classmates adore this movie, because I can’t stand listening or watching it! I guess you either hate or love it!
Disney’s Lilo & Stitch
“Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride” really catches the enthusiasm of the Hawaiian spirit. While I didn’t love the movie, I think they did a great job with the music, even having local artists and choirs record the songs.
Disney’s Moana
The music in “Moana” isn’t Hawaiian or spoken in the Hawaiian language but it definitely has the island and Polynesian vibe!
Braddah Iz “Over the Rainbow”
This is an iconic song featured in many movies! I really enjoy Braddah Iz’s version of this song. While strumming an ukulele, his voice is so soothing and, in many ways, nostalgic.
Recent Hawaiian singers who actively put out new music
These are the current, most recent preservers of Hawaiian music and people I admire for their creativity, knowledge, and sheer talent. From speaking fluent Hawaiian, writing their own lyrics and music, and sharing their love of Hawaii with the world, these artists are truly amazing. I appreciate their contributions to preserving and evolving the Hawaiian culture and music.
I didn’t attach any playlist here, but the playlist in the “Traditional Hawaiian Music” section features many of these artists. So definitely give it a listen! 🙂
Kuana Torres Kahele Hawaiian Music
Kuana has become my favorite artists in all of Hawaiian music over the years. In each of his albums he features a different Hawaiian island or location. He also has a few holiday albums and sang the song “Lava” for Pixar’s short film. He loves making lei and dancing hula, and occasionally does live streams on Facebook. Can’t recommend Kuana enough!
Raiatea Helm
Raiatea is a lot like Lena Machado in style and ability to hold her breath for a long time. However, Raitea’s music is still her own: fun, upbeat, and quite traditional. Highly recommend!
Keali’i Raichel
If you’ve never heard “Kawaipunahele” can you say you’ve listened to Hawaiian music? 😛 This song is played at nearly every big event—weddings, graduations, may day, etc. It’s a classic song for a woman to dance to alone. I can’t even say how many times I’ve heard this song. Keali’i is very talented, and continues to put out new music here and there. Growing up, my mom would play the album “Kawaipunahele” so I recommend that one if you’re just learning about Keali’i!
Weldon Kekauoha
Weldon and I are related somehow haha. I grew up listening to the CD “Hawaiian Man” so that will always be my favorite album of his. He has continued to write music in recent years that is still heartfelt and both in Hawaiian and English. His voice is soothing and the music is relaxing.
Henry Kapono
I’m not as familiar with Henry as my own readers and followers, but he is very active on social media, does a lot of covers, and has a very happy, upbeat personality. Henry does live shows at Duke’s on Oahu, which is awesome considering so few artists go live anymore!
Kalani Pe’a
Kalani has won a Grammy award for the best regional roots music album. His music is both traditional and sometimes contemporary. All his music is in the Hawaiian language too.
Jawaiian or Local Hawaiian Music
There is a category under Hawaiian music called “Jawaiian.” Jamaica (reggea) + Hawaiian = Jawaiian. That’s probably the easiest way I can explain it. Many local artists in Hawaii have captured the beat, rhythm, and vibe of Jamaican reggae music but have mixed it either with Hawaiian language, Pidgin English, or local island culture.
This is the sort of music played on the radio in Hawaii. It’s not quite reggae, but not quite Hawaiian so it’s a mix of both! The playlist below covers it all really well. I enjoy listening to this music when I’m with my siblings, but because the radio and locals seem to play the same songs for years, I’ve gotten sort of burnt out. While I don’t love this type of music anymore, it still carries nostalgia.
Here is a list of some popular Jawaiian artists. Not all of them fit perfectly but these all have the same vibe and would usually perform at local ho’olaule’a performances in the park.
Anuhea
Keahiwai
Kolohe Kai – Cool Down
Ehukai
Opihi Pickers
Rebel Souljahz – Nothing To Hide
J Boog
Common Kings
Sammy Johnson
The Green
Maoli – No One is one of their most popular songs.
Sean Na’auao
Reggae Music
Reggae music originated in Jamaica and is mostly represented by Bob Marley. Many locals enjoy listening to Bob Marley, so I thought it was only fair to feature his work here! This playlist also features some other Reggae artists.
Other Artists Beloved by Hawaiian Islanders
Jack Johnson – A lot of locals have spotted Jack around town and have said he’s really nice. With that said, his music is really great too!
Colbie Caillat – I’m not sure if she’s from Hawaii, but Hawaiians and locals love her music. It’s chill, simple, and meaningful.
Notable Ukulele Players (mostly from Hawaii)
Here is yet another little genre of music in Hawaii: ukulele music. While some ukulele players write their own music, others do covers of music. Either way, they’re all quite talented!
Jake Shimabukuro
Kalei Gamiao
Kris Fuchigami
Taimane
Let’s hear from you!
What is your favorite kind of Hawaiian music? Is there a Hawaiian artist that you love? Let us know in the comments below!
Congratulations on your choice to learn the Hawaiian language! Over the years, interest has sparked in the Hawaiian language and now there are some fun apps, websites, videos, and books to help people learn the Hawaiian language. As someone from Hawaii, I’ve finally made the decision to officially learn the Hawaiian Language and speak it more fluently (I’ve always understood more of it than I could speak it). I took two years of Hawaiian language in high school and one semester in college, so I was able to evaluate these resources based on my own knowledge and personal preference.
Most of these resources I use (or have used in the past), meaning that I wouldn’t recommend something that doesn’t work! One or more of these should help you, especially if you are only beginning your Hawaiian language journey. Even better, some of them are free! I also added some ideas for intermediate and advanced Hawaiian language speakers.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you decide to purchase any of these resources, I earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Read more about it here.
Hawaiian Language Apps
Duolingo – Hawaiian Language
This FREE app has always been an amazing language learning tool. With the friendly face of the owl and only 15 minutes a day, Duolingo is a fantastic resource. As someone who is a little more advanced, it’s nice to be able to “test out” of some of the courses on Duolingo and skip ahead. There are ads after each lesson with the option of upgrading to Premium for a fee. I love the community page too, where I connect with my family to keep accountable and challenge one another.
Another FREE app, Drop allows 5 minutes sessions of language learning a day. You can get extra time by upgrading to Premium. I’ve only used this app for a short time but I really enjoy dragging and dropping things. It sort of relaxes my brain, like I’m playing a game instead of “learning a language.” I also loved the wide range of vocabulary and selection of scenarios (health, finance, travel, animals, time, etc).
My Hawaiian language teacher in college used these very videos to teach us! They are super informative, easy to watch, and they go at a really comfortable pace. For beginners, it’s nice to learn grammar structure and words. For intermediate and advanced, it’s nice to use these videos to review.
What better way to learn Hawaiian from the locals themselves? Lokelani and Ka’analike are so fun, warm, and quick as they teach the Hawaiian language. Though they have few videos up, so I hope they keep going!
A dictionary always comes in handy when learning a new language! This dictionary trumps all the rest, as it was compiled by two of Hawaii’s greatest historians and recorders, Mary Kawena Pukui and Samuel H. Elbert. With this Hawaiian dictionary, there’s really no need to find or get any others. Of course it might not have updated terminology like kamipuela (computer), but it’s pretty complete.
I’m not impressed with the selection of Hawaiian language learning books
To be completely honest, there are Hawaiian grammar and language learning books out there but I’ve never really found one that was helpful for me. Many of them say “beginner,” but have vague concepts and usually share more vocab words than any grammar techniques. So I can’t really recommend any books, but if I do find some that are helpful, I’ll be sure to come back and update this! And if you have any suggestions, leave them in the comments below for me and others to check out!
Books Translated into the Hawaiian Language
This is a brilliant idea for intermediate and advanced Hawaiian language speakers. Some popular titles have been translated into the Hawaiian language, and a side-by-side read of these books with the English versions can really help. Reading my scriptures in a different language has always helped me learn languages faster too(side note: I used to speak and read Japanese, and am fluent in Tagalog)!
Harry Potter & The Sorcerer’s Stone
What better way to learn Hawaiian than by reading Harry Potter? I was so excited to find out that this was translated into the Hawaiian language. I’m eager to get my hands on a copy! Get the Hawaiian version of the book here.
The Adventures of Alice in Wonderland
This book was translated by the same person who translated Harry Potter. As not everything translates perfectly, he took some liberties in his version. I look forward to reading this! Get the Hawaiian version of the book here.
Other General Resources
I haven’t tried any of these, but I thought it might be worth mentioning, especially since we all learn differently than one another!
‘Olelo Online
I didn’t really dig into this website, but it does look like it has a lot of content along with downloadable PDFs, structured lessons, and more. Check out ‘Olelo Online here.
italki
The idea is that you can speak with a native speaker on this website. However, when I checked there weren’t any native Hawaiian speakers. So this might be a good resource for advanced and fluent Hawaiian speakers to use their skills to help others trying to learn. Check out italki here.
Fluent in 3 Months
I haven’t personally tried this but the idea does intrigue me. Someone can hold a 30 minute conversation in another language in only 3 months? Tell me more. 🙂 If I do take this course, I will come back and update this! Check out Fluent in 3 Months here.
That’s a wrap, for now! I hope one or more of these resources will help you get started on your Hawaiian language journey. If there are any resources that you’ve absolutely loved or found helpful on your Hawaiian language journey, please share by commenting below. We’d all be grateful for your kokua!
Are you thinking of traveling to Hawaii during Covid? Is it worth it? My short answer: no. The long answer: there are pros to going during Covid.
Allow me to explain…
My husband and I decided to go to Maui at the end of January 2021. With about 4 weeks to plan our trip, I looked into everything I needed to do before boarding. With covid affecting the world, I wondered if my husband and I could successfully make it to Hawaii. I heard of so many people who got tested and arrived in Hawaii, only to be turned around because they went to the wrong testing center, or didn’t have their paperwork, etc. Needless to say, I was anxious about traveling to Hawaii during the pandemic.
I hope this article helps you make a decision about traveling to Hawaii during covid. There are some really great pros, and some pretty pathetic cons. I’ll be as transparent as possible to help you figure out the answer to your question.
Please know that everything changes with the pandemic, so what I’m sharing here may not be relevant anymore at the time of you reading this. Please, please, PLEASE do your research if you plan on traveling to Hawaii during covid. Their requirements change all the time, so do your part. This article is purely to give you an idea of the situation, not to direct you on the requirements to travel to Hawaii during covid. Check out the official Hawaii covid page for accurate and up-to-date information.
Pre-Travel Hawaii Requirements for Covid
The pre-travel was probably the most stressful part because things change all the time. One day they say you need to do X, and the next day they say you need to do Y…
The day before our flights, I saw a NEW requirement to download the Aloha Safe Alert app BEFORE boarding. I felt SO relieved and stressed. If I hadn’t seen the newest requirement, would they have turned us around at the airport?
So here’s who you want to be following if you plan on going to Hawaii during Covid.
Ok, with that said, here’s what we had to do before the trip:
Create a Safe Travels account and upload all documents BEFORE the first flight
Get tested within 72 hours of departure. Please note you MUST get tested at one of their approved sites, not just at your local hospital. They will only let you through if you get tested from someone on their “Trusted Testing and Travel Partners” list.
Download and activate Aloha Safe alert app
Have ALL paperwork on hand. I printed so many papers because the website suggested I do so. Spoiler alert: they didn’t look at ANY of these papers because I had already uploaded it ALL online… better safe than sorry I guess.
You probably read that list and thought, “Not bad.” I thought so too. However, finding the trusted testing and travel partners was harder than I thought… We finally got tested at Walgreens, but drove to a super far location because the Walgreens in our county didn’t offer testing. While that sounds stressful, before the testing itself felt morestressful… because we avoided people as much as possible. We could not risk any chance of catching covid. Isolation played a toll on my mental health.
Pre-Trip Cons:
Using the Aloha Safe Alert app felt like huge anxiety. Knowing that at any time I could receive a notification saying, “You’ve been exposed,” just stressed me out so much. It felt unfair that I might have to quarantine because I’d been around a stranger for a few seconds.
Masks: Wearing a mask at the airport and airplane took a toll on both of us. Especially for my husband, who already has a difficult time breathing without the mask, wearing a mask for almost 10 hours wore him out. We couldn’t take any breaks from mask-wearing unless we went to the bathroom… no thanks. I felt sorry for flight attendants and airport security who had to constantly remind people to completely cover their nose and mouths with the masks. It just kind of felt like a big mess.
Pre-Trip Pros:
Airplanes worked at less than half capacity. My husband and I always sat together. I could honestly say about 11-20 people sat in each flight. I feel super bad for the airline companies but they worked hard to keep the planes clean and social distance people well. We definitely had a lot of space to stretch out.
During the Trip
When we landed in Maui, the whole process turned out easier than I thought. The workers at the airport already had our information (because I uploaded it all), so they checked a few things (including our temperature) and sent us through!
It was THE BEST FEELING to walk out of the airport and into the fresh Maui air—though we still wore our masks, as required. I thought the most helpful way to give you an idea of Hawaii during covid is a pros and cons list. These are all based on my opinion though, so take it or leave it, no offense. 🙂
Pros:
Overall Maui was waaaay less busy in Hawaii than ever before: For example, we drove the road to Hana, a scenic route typically overcrowded and full of traffic. We hit absolutely NO traffic whatsoever. When we arrived in Hana and stayed at the resort there, the local who worked there told us we came at a good time. She said usually it’s a stressful drive because of the traffic and lack of parking at scenic spots.
Less lines and crowds at restaurants: We hardly waited at any restaurants to take out or have a seat. To be honest, there was still a LOT of people, but definitely not as much people like I remember Hawaii.
Cons:
Masks: Governor Ige mandated masks in Hawaii and it just sucks to wear a mask, not breathe well, and not really enjoy things as much. Most people didn’t wear masks at the beach because we all sat social distanced, but at restaurants and grocery stores, managers and workers heavily enforced mask wearing. We went on a short hike on the road to Hana and didn’t wear our masks (because there weren’t other people around), and a local lady vending at the front yelled at us. It’s not fun to get yelled at, and it’s not like we were trying to be irresponsible or rude. There just wasn’t anyone around, and she was definitely more than six feet away. There’s just silly stuff like that, which make the situation unpleasant.
Less small businesses and restaurants open: Not sure if a bunch of restaurants went out of business or what, but many of the places I planned to eat at were closed. That bummed me out a lot, because the only food places that stayed open were mediocre food places, at best. It’s always disappointing to spend $30 or more on a meal for two people and it turns out to be crappy food.
Overall, is it worth it?
After I wrote this article and sat on this question for the last month, the short answer for me is no. I don’t regret our Hawaii trip during covid, because I needed a little break from the cold and felt tired of the whole covid situation. But I don’t think I want to go through the hassle of getting tested, experiencing anxiety over new and updated requirements, wearing a mask everywhere (including airports and airplanes), feeling bummed over closed good food places and restaurants, and dealing with snappy people over mask-wearing. I don’t feel like it’s worth it to me.
I would rather go to one of the southwest states to get some sun, saving money and stress. The only pro for me was that there was less people on the island. But it just felt like everyone was on edge, worried about wearing or not wearing a mask, wanting to enjoy, yet restricted… It felt difficult to talk to people or send a smile—everything felt so constricting.
While I may not travel to Hawaii during Covid again, I can still plan my next trip. Check out some of my free resources and articles on travel!
Before we got married, my husband and I decided we wanted to visit Hawaii every year. Especially when it gets cold on the mainland, I just want to be somewhere warm. But when it comes time to budget a Hawaii vacation, that can be hard for some! We discovered smart ways to save money and budget a Hawaii vacation.
In our most recent trip to Maui, we paid about $20 for round-trip flights for both of us. For the hotels, we paid about $175 for 5-7 nights. For food and activities, we have a stream of income that works for us while we’re on vacation so we don’t stress about the out-of-pocket costs!
So here are the best tips I’ve got on how to budget a Hawaii vacation. You don’t need to do anything crazy, you just need to be smart.
On that note: I am not a financial advisor. These are just some of the best ways we’ve been able to budget a Hawaii vacation. I encourage you to make wise financial choices and consult a financial professional if needed! 🙂
1. Save up
This is the obvious thing to do first. If you want to go on vacation, you need to set aside money for it. This is where we started out: work hard, stick to a strict budget, put x-amount into a savings account for a trip, and then go on vacay to Hawaii! But then we leveled up to getting smarter about where we put our money and how we paid for things. So don’t miss #4 and 5!
2. Clean out and sell stuff (and stop buying things you don’t need)
I’ve become a minimalist. I don’t like “stuff” lying around, so I’ve literally sold or donated anything that we didn’t need. This is an easy way to get some quick cash for a trip—it’s not a method that will last forever, because eventually you could sell everything in your house!
But it’s a great start. Sell on Facebook Indoor Yard sales, Craigslist, or a local community page (here in Utah that would be KSL).
Tip: If someone is trying to get rid of something for free, take a minute to consider if it’s worth anything. Could you resell an item that someone is getting rid of anyways? One example of this is that my in-laws got rid of an old ping-pong table. They just wanted it off their hands so we took and sold it on Facebook indoor yard sale.
Also consider if a free item is something worth cleaning or fixing up and selling, kind of like a fixer-upper but on a much smaller scale!
On that note, try not to accumulate things you don’t need. Not only is it a waste of your money, but you’ll have more “stuff” in your house!
3. Sell stuff you make
I’m not saying you need to start a full-on business or anything, but if you have a talent to make something, try selling the items you make. There are plenty of people in the community who sell services or products to make a little extra money on the side. Here are some ideas: crafts, photography, food, decoration, etc.
And, of course, if your little experiment works and you start selling a ton of stuff, convert it into a business!
4. Generate streams of passive income
This is HUGE. Passive income is anything that makes you money and requires minimal to no effort on your part. Sounds nice, doesn’t it? You don’t have to own a rental property or storage unit to make passive income. You can start by asking, “What do I have?”
If you have space in your garage, rent it out using Neighbor.
Own a car that you don’t use that often? Consider putting it on Turo.
If you have a place in your house to rent out, consider doing an airbnb.
Own tools, equipment, or recreational products? Try renting them out on Yudilize.
The main thing is to use what you already own!
We actually took the time to finish our basement and convert it into an Airbnb. Our airbnb has done really well for a small town in Utah. And it’s sooo nice to be on vacation while still making money from the airbnb! If you have an extra bedroom, unused basement, or separate apartment, consider listing it on airbnb.
We also own a couple of paddle boards, which we rent out during the summer. It’s a great way to use what we have and make money off them when we’re not using them! In fact, you can pay off what you’ve bought by renting it out. Always do your research beforehand to see if there’s a market demand for anything you plan to buy and rent out.
In all, you really don’t have to think TOO hard about creating streams of passive income: if you own something that would be of value to others, and you don’t use it all the time, why not try renting it out? There are opportunities to make passive income around us all the time!
5. Use credit cards – Our #1 way to basically travel for free!
I know credit cards are that dreaded thing for some people. But they don’t have to be, especially if you use them the right way. I used to be anti-credit card, as I followed Dave Ramsey and agreed that you don’t get rich with “brownie points.” However, my perspective shifted when we received a letter in the mail from Delta Airlines, saying that if I signed up for their credit card, I could receive 70,000 skymiles.
I was going to rip it up and throw it away, like I usually do when we receive credit card offers, but my husband had been doing research on how to travel using credit cards. So he convinced me to consider this offer.
After discussing it and researching how many miles it took to do a round-trip from Hawaii to Utah, we decided to sign up for the Delta credit card. The credit card had some kind of caveat like we had to spend x-amount of money in the first 4 months. But I used the credit card on things in our normal budget: food, gas, bills, etc, and it naturally added up to the amount required to get the sign-on bonus.
And just like that, we had more than enough miles to take a round trip for two people to Hawaii! It was the most incredible feeling to be able to spend only $20-ish in taxes and fees for our flights.
I continue to use my Delta card and it’s been so worth it. It does have a yearly fee, but that’s a small price to pay for the many experiences we get out of it.
What about getting free hotels in Hawaii?
We tried the Chase credit card with the sign-on bonus, and used those points to get some hotel stays free. I think Chase is a great option, but I like to stick with one credit card.
So we did some research and found out you can get package deals through Delta airlines, meaning:
flight + hotel
or flight + car
flight + hotel + car package
I like using only one credit card because it’s easier to maintain and watch. However, I know some people who use more than one credit card and it works for them.
Here are the GOLDEN RULES to using a credit card—get these rules down and you are all set!
Don’t spend money on the credit card that you don’t have!
Only sign up for a credit card when there is a sign-on bonus.
Do keep up on your payments—you earn rewards here and there for being loyal and on top of things.
The sooner you sign up, the sooner you can start accumulating points.
Do your research beforehand—how many points does it cost for one person to take a round-trip flight to Hawaii and back? Can you spend x-amount of money in the 3-4 months the credit card requires to get the sign-on bonus?
Do note any yearly fees for the credit card (so you see no surprises when the year rolls around and the yearly fee shows up on your account).
Don’t cancel the credit card before the year is up. Read all the terms and conditions because if you cancel before the year mark with some credit cards, they may have the right to take away your points! And if you already used your points, you might end up owing them more!
Do take advantage of the credit card features. Some credit cards, like the Delta credit card, offers free checked bags with every flight. Other credit cards have companion passes, meaning you only need to buy one flight and your companion can jump on for free with you!
Do refer other people to sign up for the credit card and get bonus points!
Sign up with my referral bonus!
With that said, get 90,000 bonus miles with my referral sign on! There’s no shame in inviting others to join, and 90,000 is a LOT of miles. It’s around 70,000 for my husband and I to fly to Hawaii just so you can get an idea. 🙂 Sign up below!
Because we used Delta Skymile points, our flights costs about $20 for the taxes and fees. After we bought the flights, Delta popped up with some good deals for car rentals. So we got our car rental for $180. Then we used our Chase Sapphire points to pay for the hotels. We didn’t have enough points so we paid a difference of about $100. It honestly felt pretty good to have used these points (that we earned on everyday purchases anyways!) and save a ton of money!
You can do it too!
And that’s it! I hope you learned something here of how you can budget a Hawaii vacation. It really doesn’t have to be complicated or hard. I truly believe ANYONE can go to Hawaii if they use their money wisely and take advantage of tools like credit cards, use what they have, and just be smart about financial decisions.
I hope these tips helped and this is the year you get to take that amazing trip to Hawaii!
Aloha always,
Lei
Let’s hear it from you!
What are some creative ways you budget a Hawaii vacation? Let us know in the comments below!
Planning a trip to Maui? This Maui Guide contains some of my favorite places on the island, and leaves a lot of open space for you to spend on the beach or enjoy your favorite island things!
Each Hawaiian island is unique, and Maui features gorgeous greenery, lovely beaches, and breathtaking views from just about anywhere on the island! This simple Maui Guide includes the following:
An interactive map, provided by WanderLog, to make your trip planning easier!
The best time to visit Maui
Where to stay on Maui
Maui Places to see and Food recommendations
Road to Hana details
How many days should you stay?
And unique things to do while on the island!
Save this map to make your planning easier!
Wanderlog is a trip planner app that makes your vacay/trip planning THAT much easier! Everything I’ve mentioned in this article is saved in the map below, so be sure to download the wanderlog app and add these fun things to your to-do list. Keep scrolling to get all the details/scoops on the locations below! 🙂
We went in January, which has pros and cons. When you go in the winter months (Dec-March) there’s a lot of wind, meaning big waves. The north and west side of the island saw a lot of wind, which made it uncomfortable and cold on the beaches. However, the south side was perfectly fine though. The biggest pro of going during the winter is that there are plenty of whales! We saw whales everyday we were there!
Side note: I’m writing this in February 2021, and the pandemic has made it so only people who do all the proper testing and requirements can visit Maui. When we went, there was significantly less people in general due to it being after the holidays and the global pandemic. It’s definitely nice to not have so many people there (especially on the road to Hana), but also be aware that mask-wearing and social distancing are mandated on the island.
Where to Stay on Maui
We stayed at Castle Maui Banyan in Kihei because we didn’t need anything fancy–just a nice place to shower and sleep at the end of the day! They have very reasonable prices, especially if you purchase your stay using points from a credit card. I’m sure you can find good deals using third party websites as well.
Benefits of staying in Kihei:
I honestly think Kihei is the best place to stay. It is pretty central on the island and, in my opinion, has the prettiest white sand beaches. It doesn’t get the wind that the west side gets, so you can really plan on having an amazing beach day. 🙂
We also chose to stay our last night in Hana, because we didn’t want to do the road to Hana in one day. I highly recommend doing Hana in two days, as it allows you time to enjoy the bamboo hike at the end! It also gives you time to chill and enjoy Hana instead of rushing back quickly. We stayed at the Hyatt Hana Maui Resort. I think our place in Kihei was nicer than this, but I honestly think this is probably the nicest place to stay in Hana. The other inns and places we drove by didn’t compare to this resort.
Maui Places to See & Food Recommendations
There’s SO much to see on Maui! I recommend getting a rental car so you can explore the island on your time. I’ve listed some of the iconic, enjoyable things to do on your trip! Remember that you don’t need to do this all in one trip. I recommend reading through the Maui guide and jotting down a few things you’d like to do. Or save this page to your bookmarks to review later!
West Maui
Gorgeous sunrise view from Lahaina Town
Catch a sunrise at Lahaina town. The old banyan tree is an iconic thing to see Lahaina, as well as walking down the streets. Lahaina is a cute, old town with plenty of local shops, artists, and restaurants. There are also beaches to relax at here—just make your way towards the ocean and there are plenty of sandy beaches.
Baya Bowl had my favorite acai bowl in Maui!
Eat a delicious acai bowl at Baya Bowls (this was probably the best-tasting, quality foods of all the foods in Maui).
We ate at Cheeseburgers in Paradise for lunch in Lahaina. It was pretty greasy but the fries were good.
Snorkel at Honolua or Mokulaie.
Stop by Punalau beach for a fresh coconut.
See the Nakalele Blowhole (if conditions are right–sometimes if the tide is too low, the water will rise high enough to shoot out of the blowhole).
Banana bread is a kind of a big deal in Maui, so my friend recommended Julia’s banana bread, which is usually around the Blowhole area.
And then STOP and turn around at this point. Going along the northwest coast from the Nakalele Blowhole area to Kahului breaks most of the rental contracts. This road is very dangerous, one way at most parts, and goes around steep ocean cliffs, with falling rocks on the other side. Pretty scary! We did this drive and I will say it’s beautiful and terrifying.
North Maui
Hike the Waihe’e ridge trail but please be warned. There are unattended cows along this path. One of the cows charged us and it was very scary! We were ok, but I’m not sure if I’d go again.
Iao Needle at Iao Valley State Park: Entrance fee $10
See the Iao Needle at the Iao Valley state park.
Check out the unique South Pacific and Asian architecture and plants at Kepaniwai Park.
Walk around Wailuku and enjoy the mural wall art along the buildings.
Eat dinner at Zippys in Kahului (Zippys is one of my favorite chain restaurants in Hawaii—it’s always consistently good!).
South Maui
Beaches, beaches, beaches! If you want a beach day, spend it here on the south side of Maui. It is so worth it!
We spent the day at Po’olenalena beach, but get there a tad early because public parking access to the beach is limited.
*Something really neat about this beach is to the south side of it is a great snorkeling spot! You’ll see a lot of tour boats and snorkelers around that area so it’s hard to miss it.
La Perouse Bay in the morning
La Perouse Bay is a popular spot to see. We came here with a paddle board but because of the windy weather, it really wasn’t that fun. I think it’s gorgeous though.
There are a lot of activities down here—it just depends on what you want to do! You can rent a paddle board and walk it to the beach, rent some bikes and ride the town, or just walk around and check out all the street restaurants and food trucks!
There weren’t very many food places down here I can confidently recommend.
Haleakala National Park
This is not the summit of Haleakala–this is below the summit but I think it’s more beautiful down here! 🙂
There are two parts of Haleakala National Park and they are not connected by any roads. One of them you can access from the central Maui, and the other part is only accessible outside of Hana.
The popular Maui thing to do is see the sunrise at Haleakala. You have to reserve your place ahead of time. When I went onto the websites there was absolutely no spots available, so we planned to see the sunset.
It’s SO much better! And I don’t even think the summit is the best spot. As we drove up, we were in awe at how gorgeous the clouds looked below the trees! By the time we got to the summit, it was cloudy and so foggy that we couldn’t see anything. (See picture below).
So my advice is do Haleakala at sunset and enjoy being above the clouds but don’t feel obligated to go to the summit. There are plenty of places to pull off and enjoy the sunset above the clouds!
Road to Hana
I think the road to Hana is definitely worth a try at least once. I don’t think I want to do it again—mostly just because it’s long and I don’t enjoy being in the car that long, even with all the stops. Here are some of my favorite stops though (my road to Hana guide will be up soon!).
(MM stands for mile marker)
MM 2 – Twin falls
MM 16.5 – Seeing the beautiful rainbow eucalyptus trees at the Ke’anae arboretum (skip the Garden of Eden because the Ke’anae arboretum is free and has plenty of plants to admire).
MM 22.5 – Pua’a ka’a state park has easy access waterfalls, as well as a bathroom.
MM 23 – Short lava tube hike. Super neat and most people just drive past!
HANA – Finally getting to Hana is such a relief. I recommend staying the night so you don’t have to rush the Pipiwai trail. Maybe we were tired, but the Pipiwai trail took a minute for us to finish. We stayed in the Hana Resort.
Some things to do in Hana are to eat at the food trucks or the Hana Ranch Restaurant. The red sand beach is right here in Hana, an easy trail and pretty sight (it took us less than 10 minutes to hike to the red sand beach–we didn’t swim there. Just checked it out).
Bamboo Forest, Maui
MM 42 – Ohe’o Gulch and Pipiwai Trail are SO worth it. The bamboo forest and Waikamo falls were totally worth it.
Make sure you STOP here and turn around. Going past the national park may violate your rental contract.
How many days should I spend on Maui?
I recommend 4-5 days, which gives you plenty of time for adventurous hikes and relaxing beach days.
Be on the lookout for whales (especially during the winter months!)
Enjoy Maui!
I hope you enjoyed this Maui guide! So many people visit Maui again and again because of the delightful beaches and warm tropical sun. There’s so much to enjoy, I hope you have an amazing time! Don’t forget to save the Maui guide to help you plan your trip later!
Love,
Lei
Your turn!
What is your favorite thing to do in Maui? Let us know in the comments below!
E komo mai! 🌺 I am the author of Aloha State of Mind, a self help book that teaches you how to create paradise wherever you are. My blog, Naturally Aloha, focuses on all things Hawaii: culture, values, food, lifestyle, and more. I hope my writing inspires you to carry aloha with you everywhere! Learn more…
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