Bringing Hawaiian Culture Back Home

The two dozen kids were too busy to pay much attention to the spectacular Hawaiian sunset glowing orange and pink. They were industriously stringing fresh-flower leis and weaving palm-leaf fish.

Some were bowling on the grass and playing tug of war as the surf crashed behind them. Others were practicing saying their names in Hawaiian, or munching taro fries, teriyaki steak, fried mahi-mahi or fresh pineapple.

When local kids arrived in costume to perform the hula, the little girls in the audience watched in rapt attention, then joined in to learn some of the steps. The boys, who weren’t interested in performing, happily went back for seconds and thirds at the buffet table. Welcome to a keiki luau. (Keiki means “child” in Hawaiian.)

“A lot of kids get bored at luaus, and they don’t like the food, so we thought we’d do one just for them,” explained Scarlett Deshong, who oversees the extensive Kids for All Seasons program at the Four Seasons Resort in Maui.

Parents, including me, thought the $12 evening luau was a bargain. They could have left the kids--there were plenty of counselors--but many opted to watch. “My daughter loves dancing the hula so much we had to buy a tape,” said Sharon Grafton of Davis, Calif. “We’re glad they can learn something about Hawaii,” added Stephanie Ferguson, from Manhattan Beach.

There’s decidedly more emphasis in Hawaii, and especially on Maui, on teaching kids about native culture, flora and fauna than I’ve seen at other vacation haunts in the United States and the Caribbean. Maui officials report that families have emerged as a top market for the island. To underscore that point, the Maui Visitors Bureau has introduced an island-wide “Maui Loves Kids!” campaign, complete with special family packages and activities.

Everywhere--from the nonprofit Hawaii Nature Center to the Maui Ocean Center aquarium to moderately priced condo resorts like the Napili Kai Beach Resort and Aston Kaanapali Shores to the luxe resorts, like the Hyatt and Grand Wailea, that line Kaanapali and Wailea beaches--kids are being introduced to Hawaiian culture in fun and whimsical ways.

Some of these programs are free, like the daily day camp at the Four Seasons Resort; others can cost as much as $65 for a full day at the Grand Wailea Resort Camp Grande in its knockout 20,000-square-foot children’s center. (Call [800] 525-MAUI or visit https://www.visitmaui.com, which links to most island hotels and activities. Ask for the free “Maui: The Magic Isle” vacation planner.)

“We’ve had a renaissance of people wanting to learn all about Hawaiian culture. The more we have to offer, the more they want to learn--especially the kids. They’re always fascinated,” said Maile Bailey, who teaches children the hula at the Four Seasons luau and native crafts at other area resorts. “It makes me feel good that kids are going home knowing something about our culture.”

The programs are so accessible and fun that few children leave here without learning something about Hawaii.

My 8-year-old daughter, Melanie, for one, came home from our recent trip to Maui well equipped for next year’s school projects. She has her list of Hawaiian words (kapu means “forbidden,” wahine means “woman,” wikiwiki means “fast,” mahalo means “thank you”). She has her CD of Hawaiian music and requisite grass skirt (a Wal-Mart special) for hula demonstrations. And she’s armed with weird and wonderful facts about native-to-Hawaii fish (the Hawaii state fish is the rectangular triggerfish, the humuhumunukunukuapuaa, she says, giggling), rain forests and, of course, the volcanoes.

One morning at the Grand Wailea Resort, next door to the Four Seasons, some youngsters were building sand volcanoes on the beach. Under the watchful eyes of counselors, they made the cones erupt, using a combination of vinegar, red food coloring and baking soda, as the counselors explained the presence of volcanoes on the islands and in Hawaiian legend.

Down the road at the Maui Ocean Center, families get a lesson in ancient Hawaiian fishing practices while learning why certain fish live only in the waters here. (Be sure to stop for lunch at the outdoor Seascape Maalaea Restaurant.) Call (808) 270-7000, Internet https://www.mauioceancenter.com. At the terrific, interactive Hawaii Nature Center in the Iao Valley, sign on for a guided rain-forest hike; call (808) 244-6500, Internet https://www2.hawaii.edu/~hhiyama/Welcome.html.

Children checking in at the Kaanapali Alii Resort get coupons for free rides on the historic Sugar Cane Train to get a sense of sugar’s importance to Hawaii. Those at the Hyatt Regency Maui get a taste of the islands’ staple poi, which they mix themselves. At other hotels they hear Hawaiian legends, fish with bamboo poles and make petroglyphs and tapa prints.

Since we got home, Melanie has been busy teaching the hula to her friends. She’s just sorry she didn’t bring home more grass skirts.

*

Taking the Kids appears the first and third week of every month.