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Sig Zane

A native of Hawaii, Sig Zane has lived on the Big Island for the past 17 years. He has studied Hawaiian culture since 1975 and traditional Hawaiian dance with the Halau o Kekuhi since 1981. This dance school, led by his wife and her sister, won a National Heritage Fellowship Award from the National Endowment for the Arts in 1993.

As a well-known Big Island historian, visitors and locals alike often seek Zane out for information about Hawaii. His expertise covers many subjects, including Hawaiian plants and their many uses, the history of lava, the myths of the volcano goddess Pele, and the indigenous culture. He’s eager to hear from you, so take this opportunity to ask him a question.

Ask the Expert

Question: What is really Hawaiian?

Sugar. Pineapples. Macadamia nuts. Coffee. These are just some of the products selling under the name “Hawaiian.” Interesting to note, though, none of these agricultural products are really Hawaiian. They were brought here to grow in the very rich volcanic soils that yield better than in other lands.

Birds like the i`iwi, the `apapane, and the nene are true natives of the land. These birds are relatives to the honeycreepers and geese of North America, but they have evolved with the islands and have developed into a separate group of birds.

Seek out the real Hawai`i. When visiting the islands, look past the imported stuff like the golf courses and the water slides. Invest time and walk the back trails. Listen to the sound of the wind in the forest. You will hear the real Hawai`i, a chant that has endured for hundreds of years.

 

Question: Is native Hawaiian culture threatened?

Yes and no. Hawaiian culture is threatened by the mere fact of numbers. Native Hawaiians are outnumbered five to one in our own homeland and the imbalance created by the demands of non-natives limits the native voice. Often, it’s Hawaiian nature to not voice an opinion because of shame or humility.

The “culture” often exhibited in Waikiki is not always the real article. All too often, the language, song, and dance are presented in a manner that the “tourist” will readily understand. This sacrifice of not delivering the traditions as they have been handed down for generations is threatening the culture in the most severe manner.

So now, returning to old traditions is becoming very common. The keeping of protocol that the ancestors valued, the respect for nature and the ability to work together in harmony, and the speaking of the native tongue has strengthened the native Hawaiians and their stand in today’s quickly paced world.


 
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