Do you recognize the above islands? A popular destination location, this archipelago is an made up of hundreds of islands spread over 1500 miles, but it is the eight “main islands” with which people are most familiar. Actually, we often call the entire archipelago by the official name of the largest island.
Have you guessed yet? Here is Wayne to share a bit more…
What is your ethnicity/nationality/country of origin?
My nationality is pretty well mixed. My mother was Hawaiian and Portuguese. My father was Filipino and Spanish, so I got all four. I was born and raised in Hawaii, on the island of Oahu, in the city of Honolulu.
What is the primary language(s) spoken in your country/region?
English, but some family speak Hawaiian.
Traditional/popular greeting?
The traditional and common greeting is the term “Aloha.” “Aloha” is used to say “hello”, “goodbye”, and it can refer to being in a friendly spirit of mind.
Common/favorite food(s)?
Common foods are all types of fish and pork cooked in different ways. A traditional type is called the Kalua pork which is cooked in a pit in the ground. (side note from me: Wayne makes this and it is very, very good)
What 3 things do you want/wish people knew about your country or culture?
The people of Hawaii are very friendly, kind, and caring.
They embrace all types of cultures.
The full-blooded Hawaiians are very few in numbers.
How can people pray for your country/people of origin?
My prayer for Hawaii would be that the Hawaiian culture won’t be forgotten.
(side note: if you read the section about the Hawaiian language, you will better understand this request. For example, according to one statistic, in 2001, native speakers of Hawaiian amounted to under 0.1% of the statewide population.)
Thanks Wayne!
Aloha!!
If you are interested in an educational children’s book, Dog of the Sea Waves, is a fictional account of the discovery of the Hawaiian Islands. It includes vibrant pictures of birds, fish and plants that only exist in the Hawaiian Islands.