Danny Gallagher, Honolulu, on How to Experience Hawaiian Culture

There are endless ways to experience authentic culture in Hawaii. If you come as a visitor, however, it’s easy to be distracted by tourism and miss out on these opportunities. Here are four of my favorite ways to experience authentic culture in Hawaii (and particularly on Oahu).

Watch canoe paddling

Canoe paddling is an ancient tradition in Hawaii. If you visit Oahu from February to September, you have the opportunity to watch canoe paddling at Ala Wai Canal. Hundreds of Hawaiians gather to practice in the evening and weekends to practice this ancient sport and, fortunately for visitors, Ala Wai Park offers plenty of places to watch and enjoy this aspect of Hawaiian culture!

Get a lomilomi massage

Whether you live in Hawaii or come to Hawaii as a tourist, you must experience a lomilomi massage! Lomilomi, which you’ll sometimes hear referred to as “Hawaiian massage,” is a traditional restorative system. It is thought to increase spiritual energy and personal strength (also known as mana). The technique of lomilomi is complicated but includes the therapist using their hands and forearms to create long, sweeping strokes across the body.

Experience an authentic hula performance

A trip to Hawaii isn’t complete without experiencing an authentic hula. Hula is a beautiful method of storytelling. Sometimes it is done as part of a ceremony, sometimes it is a performance, and sometimes it’s both. If you stumble upon a hula performance, it’s respectful to ask for permission to watch because not all hula performances are intended for the public. Some places to experience an authentic hula performance include House Without a Key at Halekulani, Kuhio Beach Park, and the Waikiki Beach Walk (along with many more).

Check out a lo’i

A lo’i is a farm that grows taro, which is also known as kalo. Taro is a staple of Hawaii and is one of the main ingredients in poi. Taro plants grow in ditches and are cultivated by farmers who must frequently climb into the ditches to pack wet mud on top of the roots. The plants take a full year to mature and are then harvested by hand. You can sign up to volunteer at a lo’i, which will allow you to see this process firsthand and is a great way to experience authentic culture on Oahu.