Journal Archive: All Hawaiian Culture Guides

Every guide we’ve published, in one place — 103 stories about Hawaiian culture, from the akua and the legends to the flowers, the food, the surf, and the language. Written from our studio in Kailua-Kona.

Mythology & Legend

11 articles

• The Four Great Gods of HawaiʻiJul 6, 2026
• The Night Marchers of Hawaiian LegendJul 5, 2026
• The Menehune: Hawaiʻi's Legendary Little PeopleJul 5, 2026
• Laka: Goddess of HulaJul 4, 2026
• Hina: Hawaiian Goddess of the MoonJul 3, 2026
• Hawaiian Mythology: Gods, Guardians & the Stories of the IslandsJul 2, 2026
• Kanaloa: Hawaiian God of the OceanJul 1, 2026
• Kū: Hawaiian God of War and ProsperityJun 30, 2026
• Lono: Hawaiian God of Peace, Rain, and the Makahiki HarvestJun 1, 2026
• Māui the Demigod: How He Slowed the Sun in HawaiʻiMay 25, 2026
• The Legend of Pele: Hawaiian Goddess of VolcanoesMay 10, 2026

Art, Craft & Symbols

17 articles

• What Is Kapa? Hawaiian Barkcloth, Its Patterns and MeaningJul 15, 2026
• Kukui Nut: The Meaning of Hawaiʻi's Light-Giving State TreeJul 13, 2026
• Niʻihau Shell Lei: The Story Behind Hawaiʻi's Rarest JewelryJul 7, 2026
• Kiʻi Pōhaku: The Meaning of Hawaiian PetroglyphsJul 5, 2026
• Hawaiian Lauhala Jewelry: The Handwoven Craft of the IslandsJul 2, 2026
• Kākau Art: The Meaning Behind Hawaiian Tattoo DesignsJul 2, 2026
• Hawaiian Quilts: The History and Meaning of an Island Art FormJul 1, 2026
• Koa Wood: Why Hawaiʻi's Native Hardwood Is So TreasuredJun 29, 2026
• Kākau: The Meaning Behind Traditional Hawaiian Tattoo DesignsJun 27, 2026
• The Makau: Meaning of the Hawaiian Fish Hook SymbolJun 23, 2026
• Traditional Hawaiian Art Explained: Kapa, Kākau & the Symbols Behind the DesignsJun 17, 2026
• Hawaiian Jewelry Meaning: Symbols, Materials & How to Spot Authentic PiecesJun 16, 2026
• The History of Hula: Sacred Rite to Performance ArtMay 24, 2026
• Worn Heritage: The Story of Hawaiian Lauhala JewelryMay 16, 2026
• What Is Lauhala? A Guide to the Sacred Hawaiian Weaving TraditionMay 9, 2026
• Adorned by the Islands: The History of Jewelry in Ancient Hawaiian CultureMay 6, 2026
• Lauhala Weaving: The Sacred Art That Wove Together Ancient Hawaiian LifeMay 4, 2026

History & Voyaging

7 articles

• Hawaiian Wayfinding: How Navigators Crossed the Pacific Without InstrumentsJul 9, 2026
• Lahaina: Honoring Maui's Historic HeartJul 9, 2026
• What Makes Hawaiian Clothing Authentic? Aloha Wear, Culture & Design ExplainedJun 21, 2026
• Hawaiian Outrigger Canoe Paddling: The Story of the WaʻaJun 20, 2026
• Aloha Friday and the Rise of the Hawaiian Aloha ShirtMay 28, 2026
• How the Hawaiian Islands Formed: The Pacific HotspotMay 27, 2026
• King Kamehameha: The Unifier of the Hawaiian IslandsMay 20, 2026

Islands, Places & Travel

14 articles

• Planning a Family Trip to HawaiʻiJul 12, 2026
• The Most Beautiful Beaches in HawaiʻiJul 8, 2026
• Which Hawaiian Island Should You Visit?Jun 5, 2026
• The Big Island in 5 Days: Volcanoes to BeachesJun 4, 2026
• Kauaʻi for First-Timers: The Garden Isle GuideJun 2, 2026
• 15 Best Things to Do on MauiJun 1, 2026
• Oʻahu Travel Guide: Beaches, Hikes & Local EatsJun 1, 2026
• Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park: A Guide to KīlaueaMay 31, 2026
• The Road to Hāna: Planning the Perfect Maui DriveMay 29, 2026
• Molokaʻi: The Most Hawaiian Island and How to VisitMay 22, 2026
• The Nā Pali Coast: Kauaʻi's Wild and Sacred Sea CliffsMay 21, 2026
• Waikīkī After Dark: A Slower, Quieter Side of HonoluluMay 17, 2026
• Mauna Kea: Hawaiʻi's Sacred Summit, Stars, and SnowMay 13, 2026
• Wailea Beach: A Complete Guide to Maui's South ShoreMay 12, 2026

Ocean & Wildlife

8 articles

• Honu: What the Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle Means in Hawaiian CultureJul 11, 2026
• Hawaiian Ocean Wildlife: Honu, Whales, Dolphins & MoreJul 2, 2026
• Reef-Safe Sunscreen in Hawaiʻi: What to KnowJun 15, 2026
• Snorkeling Hanauma Bay: A Complete GuideJun 14, 2026
• Spinner Dolphins of the Kona CoastJun 12, 2026
• Humpback Whale Season in HawaiʻiJun 11, 2026
• The Hawaiian Monk Seal: An Endangered Beach DwellerMay 26, 2026
• Honu: The Sacred Sea Turtle of the Hawaiian IslandsMay 11, 2026

Flora & Nature

8 articles

• Hawaiian Flowers & Nature: Tees That BloomJul 2, 2026
• Hawaiian Lei Meaning: Flowers, Etiquette & the Spirit of AlohaJun 25, 2026
• Native Hawaiian Plants You Should KnowJun 23, 2026
• How to Grow PlumeriaJun 22, 2026
• Hawaiian Flowers and Their MeaningsJun 21, 2026
• The Nēnē: Hawaiʻi's State BirdJun 16, 2026
• Hibiscus: The State Flower of Hawaiʻi and Its StoryJun 1, 2026
• Plumeria: The Iconic Flower Behind the Hawaiian LeiMay 14, 2026

Food & Drink

7 articles

• Hawaiian Food & Drink: Tees for Island FoodiesJul 2, 2026
• Hawaiian Shave Ice, ExplainedJun 10, 2026
• The Hawaiian Plate LunchJun 10, 2026
• Kona Coffee: From Cherry to CupJun 8, 2026
• What Is Poke? A Guide to Hawaiʻi's Favorite DishJun 7, 2026
• Hawaiian Foods You Have to TryJun 6, 2026
• Poi: The Staple Food at the Heart of Ancient HawaiʻiMay 19, 2026

Surf & Ocean Sports

5 articles

• Hawaii Surf & Action Sports Shirts: Wear the Ocean LifeJul 2, 2026
• Duke Kahanamoku: Father of Modern SurfingJun 19, 2026
• The History of Oʻahu's North ShoreJun 18, 2026
• Best Surf Spots for Beginners in HawaiʻiJun 17, 2026
• The Ancient Roots of Hawaiian Surfing and Heʻe NaluMay 18, 2026

Language & Phrases

7 articles

• 20 Beautiful Hawaiian Words and What They Really MeanJul 3, 2026
• Hawaiian Phrases & Slang: Talk Story Like a LocalJul 2, 2026
• Hawaiian Slang Words You'll HearJun 29, 2026
• What Does Shaka Mean?Jun 28, 2026
• How to Say Thank You in Hawaiian (Mahalo)Jun 26, 2026
• Hawaiian Pidgin Phrases, ExplainedJun 25, 2026
• Common Hawaiian Words You Already Know, and What They MeanMay 23, 2026

ʻOhana, Gifts & Aloha Living

6 articles

• Celebrating the Holidays Hawaiian StyleJul 14, 2026
• Hawaiian Christmas Traditions (Mele Kalikimaka)Jul 13, 2026
• What Ohana Really Means in Hawaiian CultureJul 12, 2026
• Best Hawaiʻi Gifts for Island LoversJul 10, 2026
• Ohana & Family in Hawaiʻi: The Meaning of Family, Worn with AlohaJul 2, 2026
• Authentic Hawaiian Gifts: How to Choose Meaningful, Locally-Made PiecesJun 19, 2026

Art Prints, Posters & Home

5 articles

• Bring Island Vibes to Your HomeJul 7, 2026
• How to Decorate with Hawaiian Wall ArtJul 6, 2026
• Hawaii Wall Art: A Guide to Hawaiian Canvas Prints for Your HomeJul 2, 2026
• Hawaii Posters: Vintage-Style Travel Prints for Island LoversJul 2, 2026
• Hawaiian Coffee Mugs: Island Mornings, One Cup at a TimeJul 2, 2026

Wearing the Islands: Tee Guides

4 articles

• Hawaii T-Shirts: The Complete Guide to Authentic Hawaiian TeesJul 2, 2026
• Maui T-Shirts: Wear the Valley IsleJul 2, 2026
• Big Island T-Shirts: From Volcanoes to the StarsJul 2, 2026
• Oʻahu T-Shirts: The Gathering Place, WornJul 2, 2026

New Arrivals

4 articles

• New This Week at Kahana Designs — July 13Jul 13, 2026
• New This Week at Kahana Designs — June 29Jun 29, 2026
• New This Week at Kahana Designs — June 8Jun 8, 2026
• New This Week at Kahana Designs — June 1Jun 1, 2026