There are many land animal names in Hawaiian. Do you want to learn how to say “cat” in Hawaiian? Or maybe you want to learn how to say “dog” in Hawaiian? This article covers common land animal names and features some fun facts. I’ve been doing a lot of research for some upcoming books, as well as learning Hawaiian to be able to read and write it fluently. Some of these words have come up and I thought it’d be fun to share them with you!
If you’re wanting to learn some common animal names, this is your list! I hope you enjoy it, as well as some history behind each animal!
Dog
‘Īlio is the Hawaiian word for “dog.” It is pronounced ee-lee-oh. Did Hawaiians have dogs? In my research, I’ve discovered something called a “poi dog.”
The poi dog looks much like the white Target dog (White English Bull Terrier). The dog didn’t have much of a bridge in its nose because the Hawaiians would only feed it poi. Thus the dog’s snout adjusted to eat poi, instead of other things.
I’m not sure when these dogs were introduced, but it was much later in Hawaiian history. It’s hard to find research on poi dogs, and I only learned about them through some books I read, but maybe we’ll discover more about these dogs as we dive deeper into our Hawaiian history! (If you know anything about poi dogs, let us know in the comments. Mahalo!)
Cat – Pōpoki
Here’s one more of the most common land animal names in Hawaiian. The word for cat in Hawaiian is “popoki.” It is pronounced poh-poh-kee. There aren’t many “stray” animals in Hawaii besides cats. When I lived with my grandma in Laie on the North Shore of O’ahu, I remember many nights of hearing the cats screaming and clawing at each other. I hated these “cat fights” and wished to take care of the cats.
One time, there was a little gray kitten that was a stray. My cousins and I fed it, which kept it coming back to us. My uncle didn’t like that, so one night he threw the kitten over the fence and we never saw it again. 🙁
There are some cat shelters in Hawaii to help take care of the “stray cat” problem, as well as find homes for cats. There’s one on Lanai where you can visit the cat sanctuary and play with them!
The Hawaiian word for “chicken” is moa, pronounced moh-ah. If you’ve ever lived in the more rural parts of the islands, you’ll hear roosters doodling their heads off every morning.
The stray chickens and roosters used to be a problem in various parts of the islands, including the North Shore of O’ahu. However, the residents got together to take care of them. Whenever I’ve gone back to the North Shore, I hardly ever hear those roosters anymore.
When you visited Hawaii, did you hear the roosters in the morning?
Horse
This is one of my favorite land animal names in Hawaiian. The Hawaiian word for “horse” is lio, pronounced lee-oh. Horses have a wonderful history in Hawaii. Being from the Big Island, I was delighted to learn about the Paniolo culture found in Waimea, Hawaii. Paniolo is the Hawaiian cowboy, and the culture is still prominent in Waimea today!
Another neat story about the history of horses in Hawaii is that when Queen Liliuokalani rallied the support of her people, she rode on a horse to do so. After arriving on the various islands, she rode her horse to places and spoke to the people. I believe her connecting one-on-one with her people is a reason she was so loved. She fought against the annexation and tried to keep her people aware.
Many of Hawaii’s monarchy learned to ride horses and in the queen’s book, she talked about parades and festivals, where she and others rode their horses through the streets and waved to the citizens of Hawaii. You can get a glimpse of what this must have looked like by attending the Merrie Monarch parade! It features beautifully dressed men and women on horses that represent the islands and monarchs.
The Hawaiian word for “cow” is pipi, pronounced pee-pee. Technically, the word for “cow” is pipi wahine, which is a female cattle. However, using just the word “pipi” is common and acceptable.
Cows have long had a history in Hawaii. When they were introduced, they were allowed to roam freely, which caused problems for the natural habitations and environments. This is a huge reason that the Hawaiians hired ranchers from the mainland to come down and teach them how to herd and take care of the cows. And from that connection, the paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) culture was born.
There are cows all over Hawaii now, but are maintained by ranchers. Just be careful if you’re going on hikes where there are loose cows around. My husband and I went on a hike in Maui where the cows were not being watched by a rancher and one of the cows butted us with its head! It was quite scary so just be careful!
What other animals do you want to learn about?
I have enjoyed writing about these animals but would love to know if there are Hawaiian words you’d like to learn. The Hawaiian language is changing and evolving as more people learn it. It’s always fun to learn new words that were recently created (for everyday objects like a phone, computer, etc) but also old words that are still used. Let me know in the comments if there’s something you’d love to learn about the Hawaiian language. I love hearing from you. Mahalo!
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I wrote mostly about domestic animals in this article, but I also love supporting and being aware of wildlife.
I am a proud ambassador for Fahlo, which is a non-profit organization that sells bracelets to support wildlife conservation efforts for honu (turtles), mano (sharks), and more. Use my code LEIALOHA20 to get 20% off your next Fahlo purchase!
I’m always on the lookout for eco-friendly options, but I never knew there was a thing as eco-friendly sunglasses! This is a great alternative for anyone who loves to be outside, wants a durable pair of sunglasses, and likes to go the eco-friendly route with product purchases.
Lani Shades reached out to me recently and I was so impressed by their company, values, and mindset that I decided to write a little article about them to share with my readers.
So if you’re looking for a pair of eco-friendly sunglasses, keep reading and I’ll share all the details with you!
What is Lani Shades?
Lani Shades is a Hawaii based wood sunglasses company launched in 2019 out of Sail Hawaii, a sailing school. The creators wanted a pair of sunglasses that would help them look towards the sun when trimming the sails, or dull the sun’s glare on the water to watch for reefs.
The solution to their problem? Eco-friendly sunglasses.
They created a pair of shades that would float when falling into the water (because how many of us have dropped our sunglasses in the water? 🙋🏽♀️). Even if you weren’t able to get your sunglasses out of the water, the shades would eventually decompose. Made of natural wood and TAC, these shades shouldn’t contribute to the problem of plastic pollution throughout the ocean and on beaches.
Ok, but how are these eco-friendly sunglasses?
The Lani Shades website has the complete breakdown of the sunglasses, but here are the basics:
-The frames are made from wood. Lani Shades has different collections using three types of wood. The gist is that when the sunglasses fall into the water, they float. The wood is a perfect, natural option that looks stylish, is durable, light, and floats. The wood frames are made in China, but the website specifically says that each one is handmade by a craftsman.
I always take caution in buying anything from China. But I feel a little better knowing that this company most likely supports a small group of handcrafters in China, as opposed to large corporations. Read more about the frames here.
-The lenses: This is where things get pretty technical. The lenses are made from TAC, which is an organic biodegradable polymer film. The TAC lenses could be considered plastic, so Lani Shades has a plan for that too. When your sunglasses reach the end of their life, you can send them back to Lani Shades. They repurpose the lenses, meaning less waste in the ocean. Meanwhile, you get 25% off your next pair of sunglasses from Lani Shades. Win win. Read more about the lenses here.
What is the company doing to give back?
You all know I love the word kuleana. I have a whole post dedicated to it. I also wrote a chapter about it in my book, “Aloha State of Mind.” Kuleana is “responsibility,” and Lani Shades takes their responsibility to care for the ‘aina very seriously.
Lani Shades supports “One Tree Planted.” For each pair of sunglasses sold, Lani Shades donates to have a tree planted.
Another thing I love about this company is that they try to keep things local. Instead of selling through big corporations and businesses like Amazon, they sell their products in local boutiques, craft markets, and through their online website. This ensures that Lani Shades can keep their prices lower and offer discounts to their customers.
If you’re like me and love supporting small, local businesses, Lani Shades is definitely the way to go.
What is my honest review of the Lani Shades sunglasses?
I have yet to receive my pair in the mail. When I do receive and try it out, I will update this article with my honest review and photographs. So far I am very impressed with the values of Lani Shades to stay eco-friendly and make as little of an impact on the environment as possible. A lot of thought and detail has been put into every aspect of the Lani Shades sunglasses, from creation to marketing and selling.
I look forward to sharing my insights and photos with you. Please stay tuned!
Do you want to learn some Hawaiian introductory phrases, like “my name is” or “how are you?” This list will get you started on the journey to learning simple Hawaiian. While you don’t have to learn the Hawaiian language to be able to communicate on the islands, it is helpful to know a few of the most common Hawaiian introductory phrases, especially for introductions. Let’s dive in!
Aloha
Hello, goodbye, I love you.
Pehea ‘oe?
How are you?
‘O wai kou inoa?
What is your name?
‘O ____(name) ko’u inoa.
My name is ____.
Nohea mai ‘oe?
Where are you from?
No ____ au.
I am from ____
‘Ehia ou makahiki?
How old are you?
He ___ (number) au makahiki.
I am ___ years old.
Pololi ‘oe?
Are you hungry?
‘Ae.
Yes.
A’ole.
No.
Makemake ‘oe i ka ___ (activity)?
Do you like to ____?
E kala mai!
Excuse me, forgive me, I’m sorry.
A hui hou.
Goodbye.
Iesu pu.
Jesus be with you.
Akua pu.
God be with you.
I hope this list helps you as you introduce yourself to someone who speaks fluent Hawaiian. It’s always good to practice the words aloud. If you want to know what kind of resource are out there to learn the Hawaiian language, I suggest checking out my article below:
If you are interested in reading books set in ancient Hawaiian culture and islands, check out my books on Amazon or at other stores here.
The more you practice Hawaiian, the easier it is to recognize and differentiate words. Historians have said that the Hawaiian language often sounds and looks like a lot of vowel sounds. I encourage you to listen to music in the Hawaiian language, chants, or even audiobooks because it will help you make out distinct words and phrases. There are plenty of options out there for you to learn, listen, and read Hawaiian.
Mahalo for learning some introductory Hawaiian phrases with me. I hope you will also check out the following articles about Hawaiian words:
Which Hawaiian treats are you craving? It’s hard not to drool a little when you see pictures of li hing gummy bears or sour worms. Or chi chi dango mochi, kulolo, or chocolate haupia pie. Hawaiian treats are seriously the best!
But if you’ve moved to the mainland, like me, you might realize that in order to get some Hawaiian treats, you sometimes have to go to Asian markets or other speciality stores because the local markets don’t have specific ingredients. Don’t worry. I’ve created this list of easy Hawaiian trets to help you satisfy that island sweet tooth. A few of the following items on the list may require some assistance from your island friends and family (or you can order items online), but most of these are treats you can make from items at your local grocery store. Enjoy!
Pineapple Upside Down Cake
I’m not sure if this counts as actually Hawaiian treats but it was my dad’s favorite so I always assumed it’s a Hawaii thing. Anyway, you can easily get a can of pineapple at your local supermarket, as well as the other ingredients like yellow cake mix, maraschino cherries, butter, and brown sugar. There are numerous recipes online but my favorite is the one where you don’t use a recipe and just pack that brown sugar and sugar on the bottom of the cake pan! Cheehoo!
Li Hing Mui Gummy Bears (or Worms or Watermelon)
You might need someone to send up a bag of li hing mui, but once you get your hands on it, the world of sweetness is yours! Sprinkle li hing mui on gummy bears, sour watermelons, sour worms, or even pineapple to make your own Hawaiian treats at home!
Haupia Chocolate Pie
This is surprisingly easy to make, especially if you’ve learned to do it from scratch. I like to buy the premade graham cracker crusts and make my own haupia, which is composed of coconut milk, corn starch, and sugar. The chocolate pudding mix is a breeze to make. Put that on top with some whip cream and you’re good to go. It might not taste exactly like Ted’s Bakery, but hey, it is good enough. 🙂
Guava and Lilikoi Juice
Did you know that you can find Guava juice at your local grocery store? It isn’t Hawaiian Sun brand–and it doesn’t really taste like Hawaiian Sun brand–but it’s guava and it’s good enough. I’ve also found Welch’s Passion Fruit drink, which tastes like heaven! (Disclaimer: My local grocery store is different from yours so it’s totally dependent on the location and availability! I wish you luck in finding tropical juice at your store though!).
Mochi
If you can find a box of mochi powder at your local supermarket, take advantage of it. There are numerous recipes online that will satisfy your mochi cravings. Chi chi dango can be made in the microwave while coconut mochi could be baked in the oven. If you’re ambitious like me, you might even try making mochi ice cream during the summer!
Cocoa Rice
This is super easy to make, and it tastes just like camping trips at the beach. Remember when all your family was there and they made cocoa rice cause it fed the army? There are some really great recipes online if you never learned how to make this warm island dessert from your kupuna. Can you smell the cocoa rice, coupled with the salty sea mist? Ono. 🙂
Tapioca Pudding
Mom makes cold tapioca pudding, kind of like halo-halo. Make the tapioca, add a can of coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, a can of fruit cocktail, a can of mandarin oranges, and, if you’re lucky like me, a can of lychee will do just the trick!
King’s Hawaiian Sweet Bread
Most stores carry this, but you’re probably going to have to pay the price for it. I can say, however, that it is worth it to buy, especially if you’re craving it. I can’t count how many times I walked past it in the store and thought to myself, Come on Lei, just get it. So just reward yourself sometimes! King’s Hawaiian Sweet bread never disappoints and tastes just like home!
Pani Popo
I absolutely love pani popo. When I lived in the Philippines, I’d take advantage of making this, because it was so easy to make and tasted just like home. Also, if you’re not into making rolls (like me), then you can buy rolls ready-to-make (in the freezer section) or use sweet rolls (King’s Hawaiian can even work for this but if you’re like me, you’d rather save that to eat by itself).
Fruit
If you’re absolutely dying for the sweet island flavor, then just buy some tropical fruit. I’ve found it so helpful (emotionally, mentally, and physically) to reward myself with some local fruits. They’re probably going to be expensive, which is why I call it a reward, but you should treat yourself to a mango here and there, or, if you’re ambitious, a pineapple. If you don’t have either of those things at your local supermarket, then try sprinkling some li hing mui on your apples or oranges. That always brings the taste of home back.
Dried Tropical Fruit
Dried mango is one of my favorites, especially because there’s usually an option for this anywhere you go.
Bananas
If you have some bananas, there are numerous ways to prepare them and satisfy cravings. If you’re Hawaiian, banana bread tastes so much like family. If you’re Filipino, make some banana lumpia (although you might have a tad bit of difficulty finding the wraps). If you’re Samoan, make suafa’i by boiling them, adding some tapioca and coconut milk, and sticking it in the oven (I LOVED when my mom made this–can you taste it now? Mmmmm). And if you just want to feel like a surfer, then make some banana pancakes and sing Jack Johnson’s “Banana Pancakes.”
Don’t get discouraged if you want Hawaiian desserts but moved away from Hawaii 🙂
There are so many delicious local foods you can make while on the mainland. I know that when I first moved, I felt like I had access to nothing. But, as I learned where to look (besides the Asian aisle–did you know they have coconut milk in the baking aisle?) and to keep an eye out for local goods, I’ve really enjoyed experimenting and learning to make the foods my mom used to make. Sure we might not have bubble tea, although I will say my sister ordered some of those items from Amazon and mastered it–so it is possible!–but we still can satisfy our inner local cravings using the goods we got!
Let’s hear from you!
Is there a snack or dessert that satisfies your sweet tooth craving? Is there a recipe you tried that really worked for you? Share in the comments below!
Hawaii locals are a unique bunch of people. Hawaii locals come from all kinds of backgrounds and ethnicity, not just Hawaiian. I grew up in Hawaii, and my parents are both Hawaiian, so the culture, customs, and etiquette of Hawaii were a part of my everyday life. I actually lived in the mainland until nine years of age, but my parents, Hawaii locals themselves, raised us in the way they’d been raised: we took our shoes off when entering the house, waited politely for the host to eat before digging in, shared food (or didn’t share food if we didn’t have enough for everyone), and so forth.
When we finally moved back to Hawaii, I learned even more from the locals themselves: how to go with the flow, not to stress too much over outward appearances, to be clean, generous, and more. Since moving back to the mainland, I thought it’d be fun to write a list of the funny things Hawaii locals do, as a result of growing up and/or living in the islands.
This article was written for my retired blog but I thought it’d be fun to re-use it here! I hope you enjoy this list and that something here makes you smile!
We wash our hair everyday
And I might just add that we shower everyday too. Since experiencing winters and dry environments in the mainland, I understand why people don’t wash their hair everyday. But growing up in Hawaii, it was a must to wash your hair every. single. day. It was a necessity and maybe just a natural part of growing up on a humid, wet island.
We wash our dishes by hand
When I moved into an apartment in Utah, I was shocked that my roommates used the dishwasher to wash a few mere dishes. Why not just do it by hand if you only have a few plates and cups? When my family did have a dishwasher in our home, I don’t remember using it much. If we did use it, it was usually for after big family events or when we had lots of guests over.
We wait for the hostess to eat before digging in
Not all locals do this, but I know this is something I’ve learned growing up. You don’t dig into the food until the wife of the head of house takes a bite. This might be something passed down from my Chinese heritage, but I remember this one incident where I went to a party and an aunty got mad at some girls for digging in before she, the hostess, had even gotten food and sat down herself. Yikes! Just a tip for the mainlanders… if you go to a local person’s house for dinner, do yourself a favor and wait til the hostess sits down and eats. I know she’ll say, “Eat, eat, eat!” but use your discernment. I always wait out of respect because the host deserves to eat too!
We take our slippers/shoes off at the door
I can’t even explain how weird it feels to wear shoes in a house, especially when the house has carpet….
We wear slippers and socks TOGETHER
And speaking of slippers, why not keep your socks on when you wear them? Sure you might have to make your socks look like tabis, but who cares? Slippers and socks are a comfy combination.
We always offer food to visitors
“Are you hungry? No? I’ll make you something…” Locals love food, and it’s shame if we can’t offer you something, even if it’s a glass of juice. If you drop in unexpectedly, we’ll still ask you if you’re interested in eating something. We don’t care if you might be standing at the door and ready to leave. We just love food, and we have to offer some, just in case. Nobody leaves our home hungry.
We won’t eat something in front of you if we don’t have enough to share
And, speaking of food, if we’ve brought a snack of some sort and you’re with us, we’ll only bring it out if we have enough to share. It’s really rude to eat something in front of another person and not offer. This includes if we’re in big groups. We’ll only buss out the snacks if we know everyone can get a piece. Otherwise, we’ll save our snack and eat it privately later.
We will pack up leftover food for you to take home
Whether it’s a party, a family dinner, or just stopping by, don’t be surprised when we buss out the ziploc bags to package things to go, or just give you the rest of the food. Just take it. We won’t be satisfied unless you do.
We appreciate food by making noises
And I don’t mean body noises, but I mean “Mmmmmmm…” We love complimenting and appreciating food with words and noises of affirmation like “Mmm…” and “Yum…” and “Ohhhh this is SO ono.” Some locals even dance a little when they eat–not dramatically though, just swaying back and forth–but we like to show our appreciation with noises of approval. Get used to it cause we love food. 🙂
We flash our headlights to warn other cars of cops up ahead
It’s an unspoken rule (but I guess it is spoken cause I just wrote about it), but on highways or going down busier streets in Hawaii, if someone coming towards you flashes their highlights once at you, it’s not a cause to get mad. In fact, locals are so grateful when this happens, because it means there’s a cop up ahead. Not that we’re speeders, but it’s just us being good neighbors. I’ve never experienced this on the mainland. I did it once and wondered to myself if the oncoming driver knew what that meant. And, tbh, there might be a lot of reasons people might not do it on the mainland, but Hawaii is small enough that we can keep other cars on the lookout.
We wave a lot when we’re driving
We are so used to sticking our hands out the window and throwing shakas, or waving just to anyone from behind the wheel (whether it’s an incoming car or a pedestrian crossing in front). I always feel weird when I wave to a pedestrian and they look at me like I’m crazy… but hey, gotta keep the aloha spirit alive. And it’s the best when they smile and wave back. 🙂
It’s so fun to be from Hawaii
There are probably more things that you thought of as you read this. While these differences in lifestyles aren’t bad things, they’re funny to think about. To be honest, locals will adapt to the lifestyle of wherever they live. Just don’t be surprised if any of these things pop around once in a while. Is there something you thought of that Hawaii locals do differently from mainlanders or other cultures/lifestyles?
Which Hawaiian sea animal is your favorite? After all, what is a visit to Hawaii without seeing some of the ocean wildlife? Seeing turtles, sharks, dolphins, fish, and more are amazing memories. They’re unforgettable moments where we connect with nature and God’s creations. I can’t even say how many people tell me about how they saw turtles, fish, or dolphins on their trip to Hawaii and their entire soul lights up.
Seeing (and possibly getting close—if circumstances are safe and permit) marine animals in Hawaii inspires us. It ignites a part of us deep within, perhaps the inner child, the one we’ve tucked away for so long.
I hope this list of ocean animals in Hawaii will inspire you. Maybe it will jog your memories of Hawaii. Maybe you’ll learn something new. Or, just maybe, you’ll remember how much you love nature, God’s creations, and let out that inner child in you once more. 🙂
Read more about Hawaii’s value of protecting and caring for the ‘aina here: Mālama
Manta Ray
Yes, the manta ray is a Hawaiian sea animal too! I’m from the Big Island so I was actually shocked to learn—after I moved—that there are tons of manta rays on Kona side and you can go on a tour to swim with them! If you’ve done this, please let me know in the comments. I’m fascinated and would love to do it in the future.
Manta rays are different from sting rays, but I won’t go into detail on it. The nice thing is that the Hawaiians also distinguished them differently. The word for manta ray is hāhālua (pronounced hah-hah-loo-ah).
If you’ve read “Aloha State of Mind” you’ll remember my little discussion on hā, which is breath. But hā can also mean mouth, and manta ray literally means “two mouths.” Side note: If you know Hawaiian numbers, ‘elua is two, so that’s why “lua” is the last part of this word.
The Hawaiians called manta ray “two mouths” because of the two flaps sticking out either side of their mouths, so it makes sense.
Both the manta ray and sting ray can also be called “lupe.”
Sting Ray
The sting ray is known to be around Hawaii, though I’ve never heard of anyone encountering them. They’re called hīhīmanu in Hawaiian. Hihi could mean several things, like “to creep, spread, or intertwine” or “a large meshed fish net.” Manu means “bird” so what I infer from this is that the Hawaiians must have seen the sting ray as a large fish bird, because sting rays do have large wings on either side of their bodies, or a spread-out, creeping bird.
Turtle
My favorite sea animal of all time, the honu (pronounced hO-noo) can be found all over the Hawaiian islands. When I looked in the Hawaiian dictionary, I actually found out the the hawksbill turtle has its own name, which is ‘ea.
People are so afraid of sharks, but I think they’re beautiful and majestic! The Hawaiian word for shark is manō. Many ancient Hawaiian legends and proverbs tell of the niuhi, which is a man-eating shark, but most Hawaiians regarded the shark as sacred ‘aumakua, family ancestors.
The generic name for fish is i’a but most fish have specific names according to their type. The old Hawaiian superstition is to not let anyone know when you’re going fishing or the fish will hear and leave the area!
Here are some notable fish names (let’s see if you can say these!) 😉
‘Ahi
Mahimahi
Humuhumunukunukuapua’a
A’awa
Moi
Opelu
Manini
Dolphin
If you’ve been lucky enough to spot dolphins swimming and resting in the bay areas, then you know how playful and fun they can be. The Hawaiian word for dolphin is “nai’a,” pronounced nae-ah.
Whale
Maui is the best place to see whales when they migrate towards warmer waters. The Hawaiian word for humpback whale is koholā, pronounced kO-hO-lah, and the word for sperm whale is palaoa.
My dad used to catch squid in the reefy areas of the North Shore. While I have seen a good amount of squid in my life (and the black ink they shoot out too), I haven’t seen an octopus. The Hawaiian word for octopus is he’e, and the word for squid is similar, mūhe’e.
Sea urchin – Yes, it’s a Hawaiian sea animal (even though it might not look like it hehe)
Watch out for this lovely yet dangerous invertebrate animal. Especially on the Big Island, where the only way to get into the water is by way of walking on lava rocks, or sandy shores with rocks, keep an eye out for the long black spindles of the sea urchin. The Hawaiian word for sea urchin is wana, pronounced vah-nah.
Jellyfish
I used to get stung a lot by the Portuguese Man-of-War at Hukilau beach or other beaches along the North Shore of Oahu. While it’s not very common for people to get stung by jellyfish in Hawaii, it does happen. The Hawaiian word for jelly fish is pololia.
What is your favorite marine animal?
Is there a sea animal I missed? Do you know the Hawaiian word for it? Let us know in the comments below!
At this time of the year, your social media feed might be exploding with videos and articles about the Merrie Monarch. Your friends from Hawaii are probably posting things like “So proud of…” and then some long Hawaiian name, like “Halau ka lei Mokihana o Leina’ale” for example. Or they might be making 4-5 worded comments like “That chant was perfect,” as if they’re watching and judging a March Madness competition.
But that’s because to us Hawaii locals, Merrie Monarch IS a big competition and celebration. Merrie Monarch is the world’s largest annual hula competition, so it’s a really big deal. We love our culture and we love this time of year because it brings everyone together–not just from Hawaii, but from all over the world. We watch and admire and wait to see who will compete, and who will win.
Here are some of my thoughts on why Merrie Monarch stirs feelings of nostalgia, and why it gives us all the feels.
It keeps an ancient cultural practice alive and fresh
If you think about it, this one event has so many new mele (songs) and dances. The beautiful thing about the Merrie Monarch is that many halau (hula groups) will either stick to very traditional dance movements and song, or they’ll incorporate new elements. This event keeps the ancient practice of hula dancing alive and well, but it also encourages experimentation and twists on an ancient art form.
It brings the community together
This is one of my favorite parts because during the Merrie Monarch week, expect to see everyone (and their dogs) out and about. My family used to sell kulolo at the Farmer’s Market during Merrie Monarch week, so we saw just about everyone. There’s a sense of community as people buy local products and stop to talk stories and share goods with vendors and other Merrie Monarch visitors.
We love the way it looks
Everything about the Merrie Monarch has to look good, and we absolutely love that it looks good. The dancers are critiqued and analyzed for their movements, their grace, the positioning of their hands, toes, and fingers; and their facial expressions. Their costumes are judged on their flexibility, color, texture, design, and movement. The dancers must be in sync–they must move as one–and we LOVE when it looks that good, which, it always does. There’s so much hard work put into all of this behind the scenes and we appreciate that!
We love the way it tastes
The best of Hawaiian food comes out during Merrie Monarch week. The smell of laulau, kalua pig, and barbeque fill the air. But then the temptations really come when you can smell malasadas, poi mochi, and sweet fruits. Good luck going through downtown Hilo without catching a whiff of the food. Local vendors come out with their foods in all varieties and from all over the world (remember, Hawaii is a melting pot): China, Philippines, Japan, Samoa, Tonga, etc…. The food is so ono, and Merrie Monarch is a good excuse to eat up!
It makes us happy
I’ve never met a grumpy person at Merrie Monarch. Maybe it’s because we’re all so full of it. Or maybe it’s because it gives us an opportunity to get up and get out. This is a time for people to get dressed up in their most Hawaiian attire and to party. It’s the whole shebang: straw hats, leis, hakus, aloha print wear, pearl jewelry, gold bracelets, and lots and lots of flowers. This is THE biggest hula competition on the earth, so why not go all out? People love it, and they love seeing other people go all out too. Food, friends, and fun is a great recipe for happiness.
It touches us
When we see the Merrie Monarch winners crying, with the shock of pure relief, gratitude, and joy on their faces, we can’t help but feel touched. These hula dancers have worked SO hard, some of them dancing their whole lives so they could live this one moment. Even when some of the halau or soloists don’t win, it still touches us because we know they’ve worked hard to get where they are today.
It takes place in Hilo
Cheee just had to throw this one in here cause it’s where I’m from!
It keeps the Hawaiian language alive
At no other time will you hear the Hawaiian language spoken so abundantly. The kupuna come out to watch the competition and visit with one another, people greet each other and hold conversations in Hawaiian, and the Hawaiian language is used in oli and mele in the competition. Not gonna lie though… We also always speak Pidgin English so if you don’t hear Hawaiian being spoken, then expect to hear Pidgin.
It serves as a reminder
While we go about our daily lives, it’s easy to forget how much we appreciate our Hawaiian cultural heritage and traditions. The Merrie Monarch gives us a reason to keep the Hawaiian culture and language alive, and each time it rolls around, it reminds us of how much we love and appreciate our roots, and why we want to keep it going. Cause if we don’t preserve it, how will our future generations know?
While Merrie Monarch happens only once a year, it does give a Hawaii local all the feels, whether at home or abroad. Aren’t we so lucky to be from Hawaii?
Your turn!
Do you have any favorite memories of Merrie Monarch? What was your favorite performance this year?
If you love Hawaii culture, language, and history, as well as young adult literature, you’ll fall in love with my new book, Lehua. It is a Rapunzel fairy tale retelling set in ancient Hawaii. With clean romance, themes of love, trust, and healing, you will love this new book!
Want to skip and watch the video of me introducing the book? By all means, check it out! 🙂
https://youtu.be/ZlrpQFp2v2U
Title
My first book, Aloha State of Mind, highlighted one of my favorite flowers of all time, the lehua blossom. The ‘ohia lehua trees represent resilience, strength, and tenacity that so few other plants possess. When lava pours from the mouth of Kilauea, it burns everything in its path, especially ‘ohia trees. The amazing thing is that the ‘ohia is one of the first things to grow. It’s like a pheonix—no matter how many times it turns to ashes, it still rises. It paves the way for other plant and life to thrive on hard, barren lava plains.
With this in mind, I knew I had to name my first book in this series after such a symbolic flower:
Lehua
This is the first book in the “Enchanted Hawai’i Collection,” a series of interconnected books that can also be read as stand-alones.
Genre
Lehua is the first in an interconnected series but can be read as a stand alone. It is a young adult fairy tale retelling, meaning, if you love…
Fairy tale retellings 🧚🏽♀️
Hawaiian mythology and folklore ✨
Clean romance 💖
Themes of self confidence, romance, and trust🤙🏽
Magical races and creatures 💨
Young adult literature 🌴
The Hawaiian culture, values, and language 🌺
and geckos 🦎
I think you will really enjoy Lehua!
Blurb for Lehua
Here’s the blurb to get you interested… 😉
“I had to get out of there, because if I didn’t find an escape, then who would?”
Lehua always believed people despised her. It was the only way she could explain why the villagers of Hilo sent her from one home to the next. She never lived in one place, until a powerful mo’o, a woman from the legendary Hawaiian gecko race, trapped her deep in the heights of Waiakea.
When the handsome king of Hilo tries to help her escape, a terrible curse falls upon him. Lehua must escort him to the palace for help, even as she yearns to run away from the Big Island of Hawai‘i.
But as she spends more time with the king, her desire to escape the island begins to fade, and she sees that maybe she was wrong about people all along. Maybe people were better than she thought. When her moment to leave finally arrives, will she follow the new feelings in her heart, or choose the narrative she always believed?
Lehua is inspired by the story of Rapunzel, as well as Hawaiian mythology, folklore, and culture. Fans of clean romance and happily ever afters will be moved by Lehua, the first book in The Enchanted Hawai‘i Collection, a fairy tale retelling series set in ancient Hawaii.
Lehua Cover
My favorite part… the cover! I am SO happy with how this cover turned out, featuring beautiful ‘ohia lehua blossoms, and a gorgeous Lehua character. If you’d like some behind-the-scenes of how I made this cover, let me know in the comments below!
Also, if you love special book formatting, my fairy tale books definitely have that feature! Like “Rise of the Manō,” my “Enchanted Hawai’i Collection” book formatting will not disappoint. The books include my own artwork on the spines and back covers, and a hand-drawn map of the Hawaiian islands inside the book.
When does the book come out?
Lehua comes out on March 20, 2022 in both paperback and ebook format on Amazon. It will also be available on Google Books and Kobo.
You ready for this?
I am a believer that the arts can inspire healing, connection, and recognition. I wrote my books with specific intentions in mind, and Lehua, as well as the rest of the “Enchanted Hawai’i Collection” follow brave, strong heroines who face similar problems to those we encounter today. Our heroines learn how to overcome these obstacles, inspiring us to do the same. I hope Lehua can be a healing book for those who struggle with self confidence, negative self talk, and toxic relationships. You can get yourself out of toxic circumstances. You deserve to be happy and at peace, truly. 🙂
Two values I thought of that go along with this book are alohaand mālama. It’s important to love and care for others, but equally as important to love and care for ourselves. When Jesus Christ told us the first commandment, he said to “Love the Lord with all thy heart, mind, and strength—and the second is like unto it: love thy neighbor as thyself.” We need to love our neighbors, ‘ohana, and friends just as much as we love ourselves. I hope this book will inspire you to do just that!
Want to support wildlife conservation efforts? Here’s a fun and easy way!
In Hawaii, we believe that when you care for the land, it cares for you. The phrase we use is “mālama ka ‘aina.” The word mālama, which means “to care for and protect,” is a word and value that inspires us to care for the world around us… And that includes all of God’s amazing creations: the animals, the plants, the trees, the ocean, etc.
While we can and should do our part to become more eco-friendly, there are other ways we can support conservation efforts, and I think I found the perfect, FUN thing: Fahlo bracelets.
Fahlo is a company that partners with wildlife conservation efforts so you can track a real animal. With each bracelet purchased, you are supporting wildlife, on land and sea. The company has four animal bracelets to choose from: turtles, sharks, polar bears, or elephants.
And the best part? Each bracelet comes with an animal to track. You can download the Fahlo app (on Apple or Google Play) and see where your animal is in the world. I love this, as I feel a special connection to the turtles I’m tracking.
How do Fahlo bracelets raise awareness?
I get compliments on my bracelets all the time!
Have you ever worn a piece of jewelry and someone says, “I love that!” or “How cute!” — How many times has someone told me this about my bracelets? Too many to count! When people comment about the bracelets in real life or on social media, I love sharing about how the bracelets support sea turtles. That’s the beauty of these bracelets. With this jewelry, you can share about the wildlife you’re supporting and show them the animal you’re tracking! What better way to raise awareness about wildlife conservation efforts?
These bracelets also make amazing gifts. Imagine gifting a loved one a bracelet that not only supports a wildlife conservation effort, but comes with an animal to track? It’s so fun to see where your animal is. I love checking in with my turtles!
Use my link or use code LEIALOHA20 to get 20% off your Fahlo order!
Do the tracking methods hurt the animals?
I asked this question right off the bat. I wanted to know if the tracking is safe for the animals. Are the devices, attached to the animals, hurting them? I’d feel horrible if they did, so don’t worry. I looked into this too. Here’s the rundown on each animal:
Sea turtle tracking:
The sea turtle bracelets are my favorite!
Depending on the type of sea turtle, most trackers are placed on the turtle’s back using a resin or non-heat epoxy, which won’t hurt the turtle. These materials wear down after about a year and then fall off. For loggerhead turtles, the tracker must be attached to the dorsal ridge. So far the transmitter hasn’t seemed to affect the turtle’s travels or behavior. Find out more about turtle tracking here.
Shark tracking:
The tracking devices are placed next to or through the dorsal fin. The website says that the sharks don’t react, as the dorsal fin has no nerve endings. So, as far as we know, the device isn’t harming the shark, nor does it mess with their senses and behavior. The tags wear down over time. Another method they use is an acoustic tag, which they implant in the shark’s body cavity. The device lasts up to 10 years and shows no side effects. Find out more about shark tracking here.
Polar bear tracking:
A collar, made of flexible, synthetic material is placed around the polar bear’s neck. I felt worried about this but the more I read about it, the more I realized how important the data is for our understanding of polar bears, and what we can do to protect them. Find out more about polar bear tracking here.
Elephant tracking:
Like the polar bears, the elephants are tracked using collars. The website didn’t say much about how they apply the collars to the elephants, but the collars have incredible benefits. One of the benefits is that one of the algorithms of the tracker checks for unnatural movement, which can warn if an elephant is potentially in danger by poachers. The tracker informs local wildlife management and enforcement, who can respond much more quickly than if the elephants didn’t have the collars. Find out more about elephant tracking here.
Is Fahlo a scam?
I know. I asked this question too, and I’ve done all the research. When I went to each wildlife conservation website, they confirmed their partnership with Fahlo… which means, the money you spend on your bracelet IS going to that wildlife conservancy! So is Fahlo a scam? No, it’s legit. 🙂
What are the bracelets made of?
I did a little more digging on this one and had an awesome contact to let me know the details. You will receive your bracelet in a compostable brown bag. The bracelet itself is made of crushed stone. The main charm is made of plastic and produced in China by a family-owned business. The bracelets are shipped from Dallas, Texas.
What size does the bracelet come in?
The bracelets are one-size-fits-all. But… I have tiny wrists so I actually cut my bracelet and re-strung them with three less beads. My sister got some for her daughters and they didn’t mind the bracelets being a little bigger. It’s just a matter of preference. 🙂
Want a bracelet to support wildlife conservation?
I have turtle bracelets and aim to get some shark bracelets soon. I love wearing my bracelets and get compliments on them all the time. If you want to take the dip and get some Fahlo bracelets for yourself, use my link or use code LEIALOHA20 to get 20% off your Fahlo order!
In conclusion, MAHALO for your efforts to mālama ka ‘aina. I truly believe that when we make an effort to connect with earth and the animals, it can bless our lives in amazing and beautiful ways. Let me know in the comments if you have any questions. Or if you got a bracelet, let me know which one you got! Are you a shark, turtle, polar bear, or elephant kind of person? I’d love to know!
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…
Get my debut novel, “Aloha State of Mind”
Create paradise wherever you are with my debut novel, available for purchase on Amazon and more!
Check out my Hawaiian Epic Fantasy, “Rise of the Manō”
