Hawaiian culture has a long and rich history, with entire families involved in the construction of canoes and the transmission of skills from generation to generation. The tools and materials used to build these canoes were often limited, with the fine wood of the koa tree being hollowed out to form a single-hulled canoe measuring between 20 and 30 feet in length. In order to promote Hawaii authentically, it is important to have access to resources with Hawaiian language tools, style guides, cultural activities and festivals, and other pertinent information. Hawaiian music was introduced to the world at the World Columbian Exposition, and included two sounds that were new to Hawaiians.
Hawaiian culture once relied on the ocean and canoes for its way of life, but this was lost when European influence was introduced. Hawaiians were facing cultural extinction, and when Hokule'a set sail on its maiden voyage, there was no navigator to guide them. This is why it is beneficial for students to understand and learn about Hawaii's host culture, native Hawaiian language, culture, and values. It can help to complement their worldview in areas such as the workforce or other areas of study.
The modern interpretation is that with the Hawaiian language, Hawaiian culture will flourish; without it, it will die. This is why it is important to have access to literacy resources such as libraries, museums, and archives that preserve cultural documentation. Each section should be divided by era in order to contextualize Hawaiian history and culture across specific time periods. To create an effective and efficient Hawaiian culture blog, it is important to use tools such as an online dictionary that includes customizable searches and allows for translation from Hawaiian to English and vice versa.
The Kaniʻāina digital repository, “Voices of the Earth”, is an educational resource focused on native Hawaiian speech that encourages and improves the learning of the Hawaiian language and culture. The revitalization of Hawaiian is a growing effort that relies on what is preserved in memory, in Hawaiian archives and libraries, and on recordings. UH Mānoa Hawaiian Native Student Services provides free Hawaiian tutors and tutoring services for any UH Mānoa undergraduate or graduate student. The cultural pressure at the time was so great that children often did not grow up speaking Hawaiian fluently.
However, by using the right tools to create an effective and efficient blog about Hawaiian culture, it is possible to help preserve this important part of history. With access to resources such as online dictionaries with customizable searches, educational repositories like “Voices of the Earth”, free tutoring services from UH Mānoa Hawaiian Native Student Services, and other pertinent information about Hawaii's host culture, native language, culture, values, activities, festivals, etc., it is possible to create a blog that will help keep this important part of history alive.
