In Hawaii, the islands and people are deeply intertwined with the values, practices, and deep philosophy of the culture. Their rich societal fabric connects generations of Hawaiians from thousands of years ago to modern day. Three foundational principles to understanding Hawaii’s worldview are Malama Aina, Ohana, and Mana. Today, we discuss their indivisible nature to Hawaii’s vast cultural history, each timelessly folded inside the people and spirit of the Hawaiian islands.
Malama Aina: The Hawaiian Way of Caring for the Land
In Hawaii, the land is not simply considered as a resource or place, but a living relative. Therefore, Malama Aina, which literally translates to “care for the land” takes on a whole new level of safe-keeping and responsibility endowed to every person on the island. This entails that the people, land, and ocean are intrinsically bound together.
Encapsulating the attitude towards the land is the phrase “He alii ka aina; he kauwa ke kanaka”, which means “The land is chief; man its servant”. Before Hawaii was contacted and colonized by the British, Hawaiians maintained a symbiotic relationship with the island. Hawaiians carefully tended to the aina, and in return, the aina fed and took care of them. A deep bond of respect for the land has been strongly upheld for thousands of years.
Persisting into the modern era, Malama Aina retains its original meaning while also absorbing ideals of what it means to be sustainable today. This entails the restoration of native ecosystems, community based stewardship, and respect for the environment in specific regard to the modern ecological dangers.
Malama Aina reminds us that our survival is absolutely dependent on the health of the land and the sea. We must exist within nature, we are not above it. Thus, understanding this relationship guides our decisions in ethical tourism, consumerism, giving back to the environment, and preventing further harm.
Whenever you may dive into a reef, hike a towering ridge, or witness a rushing stream, you are encountering the living aina. These experiences are the same that generations passed have experienced, directly influencing the culture, values, and relation to the islands of today. Whenever visiting Hawaii, perhaps by attending our Oahu luau, it is paramount that you enter the land with a deep responsibility for care. Amidst rampant harmful forces that flourish today, Malama Aina is more than a sentiment, but a vital fight for preservation.
The Spirit Ohana: Family Values in Hawaiian Culture
Hawaiian culture extends ohana, or family, far beyond one’s nuclear relatives. This concept reaches outward to extended relatives, friends, neighbors, community, and ancestors.
With ohana, there is a collective responsibility in decision making. Just as much as you are an individual, you are an extension of your community. Furthermore, since everyone inside a community is connected, there is a duty of care that all must carry and all are entitled to. Hurt is mutual, triumph is shared, and no action is singular. In Hawaiian culture, everyone is supported and protected like family.
Hawaiian culture reflects ohana through a continued effort to be together. This is actualized in gatherings, hula shows, and communal celebrations. For example, our Waikiki hula show transcends performance into the storytelling of lineage, community, and belonging.
When you walk through the islands, make sure to chat with a local, listen to stories from the kupuna (elders), or immerse yourself in the community of Hawaii. In your trip, getting a sense of Hawaiians’ connection to the island, people, and traditions is authentic, powerful, and definitely something a foreigner could learn from. More than a souvenir, you can take home the idea of a community with care at its core.
The Concept of Mana
Mana is the life-energy that flows through Hawaii. Meaning “power”, “spiritual energy”, or “life force”, this is the energy present in people, places, things, and even words. Mana might not be something a foreigner instantly understands because it is more felt than seen.
You might be wondering, “what has mana?”. Well, everything! However, not all amounts of mana are equal. If you hear someone say “this place has strong mana”, that means the area is sacred, powerful, or deeply moving. Likewise, ancient Hawaiians believed that chiefs, volcanoes, sacred valleys, etc. had strong mana. But mana flows through all and can be affected by an individual’s actions. Living with pono (righteousness) and respect can “increase” your mana while wrongdoing can diminish your mana. Although, there is no numerical value for mana, it is a widely understood, and felt, concept in Hawaiian culture.
Drawing from the concept of ohana, mana is not an individualistic experience. Because the community, people, and natural landscape of Hawaii are all connected, Mana runs through the community, land, and water of Hawaii. This challenges the idea of rugged individualism in recognizing that any personal action holds widespread, spiritual repercussions. Even more, mana influences our care for the environment. Just as Malama Aina presents a symbiotic, deeply respectful relationship to the land, mana teaches us that in treating the world around us with integrity and respect, we create a spirited, better environment for ourselves and community.
When experiencing mana, even if you do not “feel” it yet, you should walk quietly and with respect in sacred places in Hawaii, especially places like Volcano National Park and Waipio Valley. Try experiencing a Waikiki hula show at our Waikiki beach luau. Through the movement, rhythm, storytelling, and its deep historical roots, this is a wonderful opportunity to better understand the mighty influence of mana as the dancers channel ancestral energy, honoring both lineage and place.
Mana exists everywhere in Hawaii. From the crashing waves to the love inside the community to each story passed down through generations, mana is a deeply profound experience abundant throughout the vibrant culture and lands of Hawaii.
Malama Aina, ohana, and mana in unison
By stepping onto the islands of Hawaii and partaking in island experiences, you are engaging with its culture where land, people, and spirit exist within one another.
While researching your trip beforehand is highly encouraged, immersing yourself in the culture is the best way to understand characteristics of Hawaii. By gazing at the volcano beds, sitting down for a delicious meal made with local ingredients, or participating in a cultural experience like an Oahu luau where you feel the music, dance, and food seep into you, you are adding a whole new dimension to your understanding of Hawaii.
Their philosophy is a reminder that in Hawaii, you do not inhabit the island, but rather are an inhabitant of a living place. When you choose to make a trip to Hawaii, you are not simply visiting people, but engaging in an ohana of land, sea, sky, and man. Malama Aina, ohana and mana shows us the beauty of living in deep integration with the culture, nature, and spirit.
More than any souvenir or gorgeous photo, the most important thing you take home from Hawaii is a philosophy. Hawaiian culture emphasizes that you must live in a way where the land can care for you back. Let the community hold you, let your spirit align, and go forth, with the strength to carry the balance and reciprocity for such kindness given to you. If you travel to Hawaii, take these values softly, respectfully, and with gratitude.
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