Hawaiian names have a spiritual meaning and are often given to babies to protect them from harmful spirits. Discovering the history of these Hawaiian last names can help you understand your Hawaiian heritage.
This article examines how Hawaiian place names were transformed from reflections of native island geographic discourse into Western approaches to knowledge, order, and language.
Choosing a Hawaiian Last Name
To honor their ancestors, Hawaiians have long chosen names with cultural significance. In the past, these names were based on a person’s birthplace, family connections, or personal attributes. Over time, however, Western naming conventions became more prevalent, and many traditional Hawaiian names fell out of use. Today, efforts are being made to revive and preserve these meaningful names.
Hula dancers, for example, are choosing to reclaim their ancestral names and celebrate the history behind them. For instance, Edith Kanaka’ole is a well-known hula dancer with a rich Hawaiian history and culture history. Her name is rooted in the Hawaiian language, and it conveys the sense of wisdom that she embodies. Her work preserving Hawaiian culture earned her a distinction from the state of Hawaii, and the U.S. Mint honored her with a coin in 2023 as part of its American Women Quarters series.
If you want to learn more about your Hawaiian heritage, you can start by discovering your family’s name history.
Creating a Family Tree
Creating a family tree is a good way to help children understand their heritage. It can also help to connect them with historical events or cultural movements that shaped their ancestors’ world and values. For example, a family tree may show that some of their ancestors were involved in a war that impacted the lives of people who came after them.
Traditionally, Hawaiians did not have surnames but instead used their mother and father’s given names to identify them within the ohana (family connection). A new baby was often named after a god or goddess, such as Hina for girls or Kalua for boys. This naming practice preserved the connections between people and their Hawaiian culture.
Today, family trees are often created on computers or through online resources. They usually depict family relationships with the oldest members of a family at the top and younger relatives at the bottom. The idea of using a tree to represent family ties goes back centuries, with depictions appearing in medieval art and Renaissance works.
The earliest versions of family trees were pedigree charts that provided the bare bones of a person’s genealogy. As time went on, they became more detailed and included information like occupations, education, and even genetic traits that ran in the family. Today, many families add more details to their tree by including photos and even a narrative of their heritage.
Honoring Your Ancestors Through Music or Poetry
Honoring your ancestral members through music or poetry can be a powerful way to preserve their legacy. You can record an album of songs your family loved or write a poem about their struggles and triumphs. This will help future generations to understand their heritage and culture.
Divination tools like tarot cards or runes can also communicate with your ancestors and receive guidance or messages. Many cultures use the Shamanic Journey to travel to the spirit world and seek ancestors’ help overcoming challenges or receiving healing.
Artistic expression, such as painting or music, can be another great way to connect with your ancestors. This is a wonderful way to honor their memory and show them that you care.
Creating an Altar
In addition to names, Hawaiians also create altars for inanimate objects and astronomical phenomena. There is a tradition of naming animals, plants, inanimate objects, and even places and streets after the spirits of Hawaiian ancestors. This practice is one of the many ways in which Hawaiian culture continues to live on, even among non-Hawaiians.
Hawaiians need to know their family history, and it is relatively easy to do. The state of Hawaii has kept meticulous birth, health, and death records that allow individuals to uncover their familial connections to the land and its people.
Additionally, many Hawaiians have been working to preserve their ancestral homeland. For example, the Queen Lili’uokalani Trust works to educate children on Hawaiian culture and language. Similarly, the Pualani o Hale’alua Initiative advocates for a public school system that centers on Hawaiian knowledge and culture, allowing Native Hawaiians to be more fully immersed in their heritage and community.
While Hawaiians often use the term “altar” in a religious context, it can be applied to nearly any sacred space. Many of us set up altars without even realizing it:
- A baby shower might feature a centerpiece displaying gifts.
- The yule tree takes up a large chunk of home-decorating real estate in winter.
- Birthday cakes are lit with candles to signify longevity, joy, and prosperity.