A L O H A !!
Pele is the 'Genesis'
God of Creation which is the creation of land from the volcano and she is like
a female who's mind is her own and unpredictable. One of the top scenic
attractions of Hawaii is the unique array of volcanoes
and volcanic formations with its forests and giant tree ferns, steaming
craters and even a volcanological museum with free color movies daily. A
visit to Hawaii's
Volcano National Park should be on anyone's list who can
make it to the Big Island or other Islands of Hawaii. The newest and
continuous lava flow is
currently forming new land, but since it is a solid volcanic rock field of
great size, scientists fear that one day its weight will cause it to break
off from the island and sink into the sea sending a 100 foot tidal wave or
tsunami toward the California coast line of the main land. But that may not
happen for a hundred, thousand, of many a thousand years. Who knows what
things will be like then?
The Hawaiian Islands were
discovered in 1778 by the English, though the Islanders
already knew specifically who and where they were, by Captain James
Cook of the HMS
Resolution (flag ship). It would prove to be Cook's last voyage as he
over stayed his welcome and was killed by the Hawaiians on February 14, 1779
over the theft of one of his boats by the Islanders. Thus ended the Island's
isolation from the European known world. Try this link for a brief outline of
Hawaiian History.
Hawaii was first called the Sandwich Islands after the Earl of Sandwich.
As early as 1790, we have this drawing by Weber which gives how a man of
Sandwich or a Hawaiian looked at that time and yes he is bearded as were
many of Weber's depictions of the Hawaiian male of that era.
There are 7 main Hawaiian Islands though the ' Sandwich Islands' chain which continues to include many other small islands. The main Islands are Niihau or The Forbidden Isle, Kauai or The Garden Isle, Oahu or The Gathering Place, Molokai, Lanai or The Pineapple Isle, Maui - The Best Isle, Kahoolawe, and Hawaii, The Land of Fire and Ice or The Big Island.
The Heart and Soul of Hawaii is expressed by its
dance, chants, and
music.
Not the Pearly Shells, Tiny Bubbles, or Little Grass Shack music produced for
tourist reflecting main land music styles, but the true Hulas, Chants, and
Hawaiian rhythms from Hawaii's own historical past. Not that those other tunes
and songs aren't fun to listen to as they do represent more resent European
influenced Hawaiian times, and I do like Hawaii and all of its aspects. But to
get a real feel for Hawaii and its people and what has made them what they are;
there is nothing like the 'authentic' Hawaiian dances, chants, and musical
rhythms. And it is the very beauty of the pure
Hawaiin language that perpetuates the artistic interpretations of
their chants, music, and songs.
The Hula
is the Hawaiian dance. There is of course the 'modern hula' which
is the little grass shack type hula. And then there is the more
Traditional Ancient
Hulas. It is these ancient hulas which preserve the dignity, pride, and
beauty of the polynesian people and their heritage. It gives more than just a
show dance and song upon which to build an identity and
culture.
In addition to the beauty and grace of the Hawaiian people, no other place on
earth contains the enchanted beauty as do the Islands of the South Seas.
Hawaii's scenic beauty is legendary. From the scenic ocean beaches to
rain forested spectacles to the
flowers of the Islands
to the volcanic wonders, it
is all magnificent.
Having been in Hawaii a few times for a length of time, there is only one problem. As lovely as all the pictures I have seen of Hawaii and it's scenic bueaty, no picture can really portray the beauty of actually being there live. It is even more fantasicly gorgeous to be there in person. And mere pictures just do not do it justice as no two dimensional image can portray the very essence of three dimensional sight, sound, smell, taste, and feel that Hawaii's total atmosphere has little alone the Spirit of the Islands.
And speaking of the Spirit of Hawaii, one of my own favorite places in the
Islands of Hawaii is the Windward Side of the Island of Oahu. It is away
from the 'city' side of the Island, and is more of what the real Hawaii is
like. It is also where the Polynesian Cultural Center and the
BYU-Hawaii campus in Laie are located.
Laie is also home to the 'Taj Mahal of the Pacific' or the LDS Hawaiian
Temple. Unlike the
Ancient Hawaiian Native Temples, this is a Christian ordinance
temple.
Monet's - Hawai`i Resource Library
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HOKEO HAWAI`I