Hawai‘i Traditions: What To Know When You Visit

May 26, 2020

Hawai‘i Traditions: What To Know When You Visit

When it comes to visiting paradise, we’re sure nothing but excitement comes to mind! However, there are a few things you should know before you put on your swim trunks and aloha shirts. Here are some Hawai‘i traditions from the locals themselves.

First, our greetings. The Hawaiian culture is built on “aloha” which what we say when we meet and is often coupled with a kiss on the cheek! Another thing to remember is whenever you visit someone else’s home, be sure to remove your shoes or slippers!

Something you might not know, is that locals love SPAM! So, when you’re here, don’t be afraid to try a spam musubi — they’re epic! You will also probably notice that locals speak “Hawaiian Pidgin” which is a combination of words and idioms from the Native Hawaiian culture along with those of other cultures such as Japanese, Filipino, Portuguese and Chinese. It was developed when the Native Hawaiians, plantation owners and immigrant workers needed to communicate with each other.

One more fun fact about Hawai‘i is that you will commonly see women with a flower behind their ear, if it’s on the left , it means she’s taken, and on the right, it means she’s available.

When in Hawai‘i, you will be able to immerse yourself in the lifestyle of the islanders. These tips will help you better navigate the islands and remember to listen to the locals about what to do and where to go — they know best!