Before arriving in Hawaii, ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language) was a completely oral language. Passed down from generation to generation, the stories, knowledge, and culture of the Hawaiian people were memorized and shared through the spoken word. In the 19th century, Hawaiian literacy peaked with more than 90% of the population being able to read and write. Publications were seen as a way to keep important ʻike (knowledge) safe for future generations.
The oldest Hawaiian songs tell stories of the islands, their inhabitants, and the forces of nature that shaped them. It is believed that without the Hawaiian language, Hawaiian culture will die. To help preserve and promote Hawaiian culture, the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) supports initiatives such as the Hawaii Native Hospitality Association (NaHHA). NaHHA's mission is to promote Hawaiian culture, values, and traditions in the workplace through consultation and education.
This includes teaching traditional practices such as singing, music, hula, arts, and warm hospitality. At the time of American colonization, there was a great pressure to adapt to the “American” lifestyle and speak English in order to live and work in Hawaii. As a result, many children did not grow up speaking Hawaiian fluently. To help revitalize the language, Hawaiian archives and libraries are being used to preserve cultural documentation for future generations.
Additionally, resources such as style guides, cultural activities and festivals, and other pertinent information are available to help promote Hawaii authentically. The HTA also supports programs that recognize the uniqueness of Hawaiian culture and community. This includes traditional knowledge such as life in Hawaii, Hawaiian deities, cultural practices such as kapu (taboo) and ʻanāʻanā (divination), genealogy of Kamehameha (the supreme chief who unified the archipelago under a single government), chronology of important events in Hawaiian history, biographies of chiefs, and more. As an author writing about Hawaiian culture on your blog, it is important to ensure that your content is up-to-date and relevant.
To do this, you should regularly review your content for accuracy and make sure it is reflective of current events in Hawaii. Additionally, you should research new topics related to Hawaiian culture that may be of interest to your readers. By staying informed on current events in Hawaii and providing accurate information on your blog, you can ensure that your content remains up-to-date and relevant. Keeping your blog fresh with new content is essential for engaging readers and helping to preserve Hawaiian culture.
