During a psychology class we were asked to present a project on a culture of our choice. My choice of Hawaii was mostly because of the seperated culture between the U.S. and the last state of Hawaii.
1 of 14
Downloaded 99 times
More Related Content
Hawaiian Culture Analysis
1. Analyzing the
Hawaiian Culture
Connor Milliken
Professor Geoffroy
Cross-Cultural Psychology
May 2, 2012
2. Overview
Brief History
Hawaiian Culture Defined
The Aloha Spirit
Speaking Hawaiian
Traditions
Biases & Stereotypes
Human Development
Thinking Approach
3. Brief History
1,500 Years Ago,
Polynesians from the Marquesas Islands first set foot on Hawaii's Big Island. With only the stars to
guide them, they sailed over 2000 miles in canoes to migrate to the islands.
500 Years Later
Settlers from Tahiti arrived, bringing their beliefs in gods.
1778
Captain James Cook (British Explorer) landed on Kauai. Cook opened up western travel to the islands.
1810
King Kamehameha unified all of the Hawaiian Islands into one royal kingdom.
1820
First Protestant missionaries arrived on Hawaiis Big Island, western culture expanded on the islands.
1893
American Colonists who controlled much of Hawaii's economy, overthrew the Hawaiian Kingdom.
1898
Hawaii became a territory of the United States.
1941
Japanese launched a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor on Oahu. Four years later, Japan surrendered.
1959
Hawaii became the 50th State of the United States.
4. Hawaiian Culture Defined
(The Skin)
Behavior
Laid Back Aloha Spirit and very down to Earth
Clothes
Flip-flops, shorts, and Tees (includes tacky Hawaiian Shirts)
Traditional Hawaii; Grass Skirt, Coconut Bra, and Flower Lei
Food
Mostly Seafood (Rare Fish) and Meat (Famous Pig Roast)
Language
Hawaiian and English
Housing
Typical Housing in America
Traditional Hawaii; Polynesian
5. The Aloha Spirit
(Cultural Norms The Pulp)
Cultural Attitude & Emotion
Aloha is said to be the coordination of mind and heart
within each person; it brings each person to the self; each
person must think and emote good feelings toward others
The Aloha Spirit is a large component of Native Hawaiian
culture
Removing your shoes when entering a home is common
Islanders pride themselves on their laid-back manner
People slow down and enjoy life
Car horns are used to greet friends in Hawaii
Problems are let go and forgotten
6. Speaking Hawaiian
Hello/Goodbye Turtle
Aloha Honu
Thank You I Love You
Mahalo Aloha Au Ia 併Oe
Sorry/Excuse Me Till We Meet Again
E kala mai ia併u! A hui hou
Please Your Welcome
H併olu A ole pilikia
How Are You? Yes
Pehea 併oe? Ae
Take Care No
Malama Pono a'ole
7. Traditions
Flower Lei Legends and Beliefs
A lei should be offered graciously Ancient Hawaiians were known to
with a kiss and removed only in be storytellers. Legends were a way
private of documenting history,
It's considered rude to remove a lei knowledge, facts and beliefs from
once it's accepted generation to generation
Hula Some Legends:
Maui: Demi God/Pulled Island from Sea
Hula represents the spirit of Hawaii Pele: Goddess of Fire/Volcanoes
through graceful movements and Kumulipo: Creator of Hawaiian Islands
captivating music Rain and Rainbows are considered
Hawaiians actually believe that the blessings from the Gods
first hula was performed by a god Causes of Bad Luck or Bad Omens
or goddess Wearing a lei while pregnant
The dance is considered more as a Taking rocks from the islands
sacred ritual than as a form of Festivals
entertainment Merrie Monarch Hula Festival
Two types of Hula: (1) Hula Kahiko, Aloha Festival
and (2) Hula Auana
Lei Day
8. Human Development
(The Core)
Collectivist vs. Individualistic
Hawaiian culture is based on the assumptions of a
collectivist society where the groups goals hold
more importance than those of the individual.
Relationships are the core to Hawaiian values. In
particular, the relationship of the individual to the
family, the community, the land, and the spiritual
world is emphasized. The 併Ohana併 (family) is the
fundamental unit in Hawaiian culture.
9. Human Development (cont.)
(The Core)
Life Milestones
All milestones are celebrated with a Luau to
respect the elder Hawaiian culture. Most
milestones that we celebrate are also celebrated
by Hawaiians.
Birthdays
Graduations
Weddings
10. Thinking Approach
(The Core)
Illness Treatments
A person with a disability can substantially
in鍖uence the amount of support or the
acceptance that a person receives from family and
friends; and how much that person matches the
common social identity.
Western vs. Eastern
Todays Culture: Western
Culture Before Migration: Eastern
11. Summary
Brief History
Hawaiian Culture Defined
The Aloha Spirit
Speaking Hawaiian
Traditions
Biases & Stereotypes
Human Development
Thinking Approach
14. Side-Note for Professor
Hey Professor,
I just wanted to write this little note to thank you for a
wonderful class experience. I have taken several online classes
and have truly felt that this class has given me a different
outlook on life and will benefit me in my life journey. Your
lessons showed me that there is more to life than what
people may think and that we must accept each other
culturally because even though we may come from separate
cultures, we all have many ideals in common that bring us all
together. I feel touched to have been able to learn from you as
a student. Thank you so much for this wonderful experience, I
hope to take another class with you before I graduate (hopefully
in class too), and will hopefully meet you too! Thank You!!