Why do Hawaiians touch foreheads?

During this “kiss”, two people touch foreheads, with noses touching and then inhaling as the same time. This act represents two very distinct ideas, very present in the local culture. It is the exchanging of ha – the breath of life, as well as mana -the spiritual power that resides in each of us.



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Story By Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi. “Hang loose,” “Right on,” “Thank you,” “Things are great,” “Take it easy” – in Hawaii, the shaka sign expresses all those friendly messages and more. As kamaaina know, to make the shaka, you curl your three middle fingers while extending your thumb and baby finger.

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  • Don't remove sand from the beach. A small container of sand sounds like a cool souvenir, especially if taken from a black- or red-sand beach, but doing so is considered bad luck. ...
  • Don't take any lava rocks from Volcanoes National Park. ...
  • Don't take any pork over the Pali. ...
  • Don't bring bananas on a boat.


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Always ask questions and permission. The best way to respect the Hawaiian culture is to ask! If you're not sure about anything, such as where to go or what to wear, you can never go wrong by asking a local.

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What is a Good Response to Mahalo? Expressing gratitude is an important value in Polynesian cultures, but so is humility. A common response to mahalo is a'ole pilikia, which means “no problem”.

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It is important to note that these concerns are not universal, & some Native Hawaiians welcome tourists who show respect for the culture and environment of the islands. Although due to the behavior of the majority of tourists, it's fair to say that most indigenous people of Hawai'i do not welcome tourists.

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