This quarter I had the opportunity to learn and report on the Hawaiian community in Washington as a reporter for a top TV station in Honolulu, KHON2. I found it especially fascinating because I saw many similarities between the East African culture I grew up in and the Hawaiian culture that I was studying.
As a Korean, I was raised in a community that was vastly different from my own. I was exposed to 80 different nationalities at any given time. Consequently I am uniquely aware of and attentive to other cultures and societies. I am always intrigued by innate differences of varying ethnicities but at the same time I try to find connections about traditional similarities. My experiences thus far have led to a fascinating conclusion: No matter what the longitude or the latitude, different societies share vast similarities.
I am also convinced that in an age where multiculturalism and internalization is the social norm, it is a huge asset for individuals to have the ability to cross and bridge cultural gaps
There were three things about the Hawaiian community that reminded me of Kenya and Tanzania: first, the “aloha spirit”, second, the communal culture, and third, the continued efforts of the Hawaiian people to preserve their native cultures, language and traditions through oral traditions.
Aloha spirit: Although the word ‘Aloha’ is widely used as a greeting to say goodbye and hello, in the Hawaiian language it also means love, compassion, peace and mercy. Although it is difficult to quantify or measure warmth relative to other cultures, I was awed by the warmth that exuded from every Hawaiian I met. The warm, laid- back, loving and inviting spirit reminded me a lot of the African culture.
In Africa, the word Karibu (welcome) is most frequently used to welcome and invite guests into the homes and culture. The word is used to convey the cordial warm inviting spirit. Although Aloha and Karibu may have different literal meanings, the context in which it is used is very similar and exudes similar sentiments.
Ohana: Ohana (family)is a big part of the Hawaiian way of life. Ohana also includes friends and non-family members. The meaning is generally referred to any group of people that share a common bond and treats each other as family. Just like in an African village where the community takes the responsibility of teaching its children, the Hawaiian adults take it as their responsibility to guide and educate their children.
In the homes, festivals and schools I visited while covering the Hawaiian community, children referred to non-family related adults as uncles and aunts. It is the same in Africa, where children refer to adults as uncles and aunts.
In addition, much respect was given to the elders, the Kapuna, in the community. Just like in an African village, the younger Hawaiian generation seek wisdom and guidance from the elders when making an important decision.
Oral traditions: Cultural preservation through oral history, chants and songs is a celebrated scene in both cultures. Traditional Hawaiian music and dance is functional and is used to express praise, communicate genealogy, mythology and traditions. Similarly in Africa, oral tradition is used to convey the history, folktales and religious beliefs.
Many of the chants, songs and dances in the Hawaiian music are accompanied by drums, which is also a common used instrument in the African culture.
Although there are many more comparisons and similarities that could be made, it was a gratifying experience to experience a piece of Washington’s Hawaiian community because it confirms my ongoing hypothesis that beyond the physical, geographical and linguistic differences people thrive on the same basic instincts, needs and desires.
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Young Lee is a broadcast reporter at Medill News Service in Washington. She graduates in June with a master’s degree in broadcast journalism. Born in Korea, Lee grew in Kenya and Tanzania.