There is a special feeling that comes with living in Hawaiʻi. It is not just the warm ocean breezes, or the breathtaking mountains and valleys, it is the people, the culture, and the traditions that bind us. I feel deeply blessed to live in a place where community, respect, and cultural identity remain at the heart of daily life.
One of the first things people notice when they arrive in Hawaiʻi is the difference in the personalities of the people. Life here moves with a spirit of aloha – kindness, patience, humility, and genuine care for one another – neighbors helping one another and communities coming together during both joyful and challenging times.
Unlike places where people are rushed and disconnected, the people of Hawaiʻi often take time to acknowledge one another. There is an understanding that relationships matter and a sense that everyone is connected through the shared experience of island life.
This spirit is deeply rooted in Hawaiian culture and traditions. For generations, Native Hawaiian values such as mālama ʻāina and kuleana have guided the way people live. These traditions remind us that we are not separate from the land or from each other; we are part of a larger family that includes our ancestors, our community, and the ʻāina that sustains us.
Nowhere is the beauty and strength of our culture more visible than during the annual Merrie Monarch Festival, the world’s most prestigious celebration of hula, held each spring in Hilo on Hawaiʻi Island.
For the kumu hula who guide their hālau, Merrie Monarch is more than a competition. It represents decades of dedication to preserving Hawaiian traditions. For the haumāna, performing on the Merrie Monarch stage is a life-changing experience. Preparation begins months, often years, before the festival. Through long nights of practice, dancers learn discipline, humility, respect, and commitment which not only strengthens their skills, but their character, and develops deeper understanding of their cultural heritage.
When dancers finally step onto the stage in Hilo, they carry with them the pride of their families, their teachers, and their communities. Each gesture of the hands, each step, and each chant tells a story passed down through generations. In that moment, hula becomes more than performance, it becomes a living expression of Hawaiian identity.
The impact of the Merrie Monarch Festival extends far beyond the competition itself. For many dancers, it inspires a lifelong commitment to culture and tradition. Former haumāna often become teachers themselves, ensuring that the knowledge and practices of their ancestors continue to thrive for future generations.
We are fortunate to be from a place where culture is not simply remembered, it is lived every day. From the aloha we share with one another to the traditions celebrated through art forms like hula, we are reminded that what truly matters is community, respect, and heritage.
It is easy to understand why we feel so blessed. Here, the spirit of aloha and the strength of our culture continue to guide us, connecting past, present, and future in a way that is both meaningful and enduring.
