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+--- Thread: please help me with this Hawaiian greeting (/showthread.php?tid=10164)
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please help me with this Hawaiian greeting - terracore - 04-09-2012
A miracle happened and I'm able to move to the BI full time due to a job transfer. The employees at the company are treating me to a traditional Hawaiian greeting at the airport. I'm really looking forward to it, but I'm not sure how to reciprocate. Do I bring gifts? What do I do? I've never had a traditional Hawaiian greeting before!
As always, thanks for your insight.
To clarify, these are native Hawaiians giving me a traditional Hawaiian greeting. Welcoming me to their family. The matriarch is going to put a lei around my neck and kiss me. She believes that my arrival was "meant to happen". It's not some guy standing near the airport exit with a sign with my name on it. I'm honored and humbled by the whole thing, and I want to make a good impression, and I don't know what to do.
edited to add clarification
RE: please help me with this Hawaiian greeting - missydog1 - 04-09-2012
Are they greeting you themselves or paying a greeter? If the service is paid, no need for you to reciprocate.
Bring some special food with you as omiyage or pick up some omiyage here after you arrive -- for your coworkers, not for the greeting service.
RE: please help me with this Hawaiian greeting - KeaauRich - 04-09-2012
Might be good to get more specifics about what they consider a "traditional Hawaiian greeting" at the airport so you don't have any false expectations. It may be something as simple as arranging for a professional "greeter" to stand at the bottom of the escalator with your name on a piece of paper waiting to put a lei around your neck and point you to baggage claim. For what it's worth, I think that all that's required of you in any event is to smile broadly and say "thank you so much for making me feel so welcome"
RE: please help me with this Hawaiian greeting - Carey - 04-09-2012
Congrats!
Omiyage are gifts - usually foods or crafts -
A good idea is to have on hand something from your current home, a food gift or craft that is unique that can be shared by your new employer & fellow workers, & even to new neighbors.... These would be on the scale of lei, mac nuts, small coffee packages that you might bring back home from a visit here...but with your old homes local flair (local jams/ jellies, or local nut selection... that sort of thing...)
RE: please help me with this Hawaiian greeting - dayna - 04-09-2012
It will be Steves co workers, the people who live and work here, greeting him.
They are so excited to have him come work with them, they've made all of us feel very welcome.
So Carey, you are saying Alaskan gifts would be what we would bring? Such as Native Alaskan food and/or Crafts? For us that would be Salmon, game meats, Ulu Knives, bead work, etc.
I can't believe we'll be there in about a month or so.
Dayna
www.JasonAndBlue.com
My artwork
RE: please help me with this Hawaiian greeting - missydog1 - 04-09-2012
It is fine for Steve to accept the welcome without an offering IMHO. When you give a quid pro quo it kind of takes away their joy in their gift.
Sometimes the recipient should just receive. Then he can surprise them with an omiyage on the next meeting, perhaps first day at work.
Depending on the people-- platter of sushi or a treat from Big Island Candies are common (well liked) offerings.
ETA what Rich said ...
I imagine it would be presenting a lei and kisses.
RE: please help me with this Hawaiian greeting - terracore - 04-09-2012
To clarify, these are native Hawaiians giving me a traditional Hawaiian greeting. Welcoming me to their family. The matriarch is going to put a lei around my neck and kiss me. She believes that my arrival was "meant to happen". It's not some guy standing near the airport exit with a sign with my name on it. I'm honored and humbled by the whole thing, and I want to make a good impression, and I don't know what to do.
RE: please help me with this Hawaiian greeting - carmel123 - 04-09-2012
I envy you. Good luck. I hope everything works out well. I would bring homemade candy wrapped beautifully.
RE: please help me with this Hawaiian greeting - csgray - 04-09-2012
I agree with Kathy, you don't have to reciprocate that day but sharing something like home smoked salmon that is well liked, but rare here, at a later date would go over well. As I was explaining to my Floridian brother recently, in Hawaii it is always about the food. Eating together is a required social lubricant here, in addition to being a time honored form of entertainment.
Congratulations on the new job, being welcomed with true aloha like that is an honor, accept what is offered with gracious smiles and kisses and you will be fine.
Carol
RE: please help me with this Hawaiian greeting - Kelena - 04-09-2012
You do not have to speak Hawaiian upon arrival or do anything special other than show and receive aloha. An expression of unbounded joy might be welcome, if you are feeling up to it after a long flight. I agree with all of the above. It is only natural that your greeters would appreciate something they cannot get every day. You can share that with them later. But on the day of arrival, you are the recipient. I have had grasping being the recipient of such warmth, but I'm learning!
I am very happy for you. Bring those mud boots!