About Hawaiian Polynesian Culture
While a remarkably diverse mix of ethnic groups contributes to the culture of Hawaii, the culture of the islands has been shaped most clearly by Hawaiian Polynesian traditions, some of which are said to be about thousands of years old. The original inhabitants of the islands were Eastern Polynesians from Marquesa and Tahiti, and came to Hawaii around A.D. 400. Migrating in waves, the Polynesians became isolated from the rest of the Polynesian world and soon developed a distinct Hawaiian Polynesian culture. The food, language, and ways of these early Polynesians have remained the vital center of Hawaiian life and tourism.
Language
Of all the languages in the world, Hawaiian has the fewest letters in its alphabet: only 12 in total, not including the glottal stop, which is represented by an inverted apostrophe. The Hawaiian dialect strongly resembles other Polynesian dialects, like Tahitian, Maori or Marquesan. However, native speakers of Hawaiian have decreased rapidly over the last century. Only 0.1 percent of the state's population speaks the old Hawaiian language, and many worry that the language is becoming endangered.
Food
Many Hawaiian Polynesian foods are popular today, and have experienced a resurgence in major American cities. Poi is a staple starch dish, created by mashing taro roots with water, and eaten with salt, sugar, or soy sauce. Poke is raw fish marinated in soy sauce, and "lomilomi" salmon is salmon broken into small pieces and mixed with tomatoes and onions. Roast pig was traditionally popular at luaus, as were sweet taro rolls.
Hula
Hula was originally a religious offering to the gods; the dance was performed at special occasions, accompanied by chanting and percussion such as gourds, rattles, and castanets. In these early days, only men performed the hula. However, once Europeans came to the islands, Hawaiians began performing the hula to Western music, and women began participating. Hula today serves the purpose of entertainment rather than religious ritual, but it is widespread across the state, and many Hawaiians continue the dance.
Class and Government
Ancient Hawaiians adhered to a strict caste system, in which a person remained in his given social class for all his life. The royal class was called Alii, who claimed a divine power called "mana" in order to govern the lower classes. The priestly class was called Kahuna, the commoners were called Maka'ainana, and the slave class was called Kauwa. These classes made up the Hawaiian feudal system, which was organized by a religious system of traditions and taboos called "kapu."
Religion
Hawaiian Polynesian religion is polytheistic, meaning that followers believe in many gods. Early Polynesians were intensely animistic in their beliefs, holding that gods were in every aspect of nature and could be seen and conversed with. Today, few Hawaiians adhere to this early religion, but the four major tiki gods (Ku, Lono, Kane and Kanaloa) are still acknowledged for the forces of nature they personify. Ku is the god of war, Lono the god of fertility and peace, Kane the creator-god of light and life, and Kanaloa god of the sea.
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