Hawaiian Traditions

[Haole Girl]

I think that a variety of books should be read for a better picture of the big picture. Does that make sense? LOL

I would read about Hawaiian history, Hawaiian language, Hawaiian culture, etc.

For Hawaiian history:

A really good one for Hawaiian history is "Shoal of Time" by Gavan Daws:

http://www.amazon.com/Shoal-Time-History...0824803248

While it's from the perspective of a Western person with Western thoughts... I think it helps those who are Western people with Western thoughts get a small glimpse of Hawaiian culture.

And this one too:

"Dismembering Lahui" by Jon Osorio PhD

http://www.amazon.com/Dismembering-Lahui-History-Hawaiian-Nation/dp/0824825497/ref=sr_1_2/104-3781010-4103968?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1173808776&sr=1-2

Which is written with the perspective of a Hawaiian (Osorio)


Then maybe a book about the culture like:

"Na Kua'aina: Living Hawaiian Culture"
by Davianna Pomaika'i Mcgregor


http://www.amazon.com/Na-Kuaaina-Living-Hawaiian-Culture/dp/0824829468/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-3781010-4103968?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1173808892&sr=1-1




Perhaps add Hawaiian language too:

"Learn Hawaiian at Home" by Kahikahealani Wight

http://www.amazon.com/Learn-Hawaiian-Home-Kahikahealani-Wight/dp/1573062456/ref=pd_bbs_3/104-3781010-4103968?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1173808957&sr=1-3


or these Hawaiian language lessons courtesy of the Kamehameha Schools and is free to everyone:

http://ksdl.ksbe.edu/kulaiwi/


Keeping in mind that our history is an orally based one. Much of our history, traditions, etc are not written about. For example, our food. I have not read one book that describes our food like ake, aku palu, poi etc so I would keep that in mind. That our culture is an orally based one which has adapted the written way courtesy of missionaries and that what has been written about us should not be considered inclusive of everything about our culture, history, language, traditions, etc. because not everything about us is written. If I had to quantify it I would say that about 70% about us has not been written. An example is a book about Hawaiian food. (There is no book that details ake, aku palu, poi, etc.)




Y.W.N.


Edited by - Haole Girl on 03/13/2007 07:01:37