The Hawaiian People and Their Culture Make Hawaii a Unique Paradise
Updated April 2026. Originally published 2019.
When I wrote this post in 2019, the peaceful gathering at the base of Mauna Kea had just captured the world’s attention. Thousands of kia’i — protectors — stood together to defend a sacred mountain, demonstrating a unity and cultural strength that moved people around the world. In my nearly 60 years on this island, I had never seen anything quite like it.
Seven years later, the TMT controversy continues. No construction has resumed, and management of the mountaintop is being transferred to a new oversight authority that includes representatives of both astronomical observatories and Native Hawaiian communities. The National Science Foundation dropped support for the TMT in June 2025 in favor of a different telescope project in Chile, putting the TMT’s future in serious doubt. The protectors have not wavered, and the legal victories they have won along the way speak to the strength and resilience of a people who know their rights and their history. Civil Beat
What the Mauna Kea movement showed the world — and reminded those of us who live here — is something that has always been true: the Hawaiian people and their culture are extraordinary.
A Culture That Has Endured
In the past, aspects of Hawaiian culture were commercialized and trivialized. The result was a distorted image of Hawaii that did a disservice to the people, the land, and the history. The Mauna Kea movement helped set the record straight for a global audience.
This is not a theme park. This is a place of extraordinary natural bounty and deep cultural significance. The land, the people, and the culture here deserve to be treated with the utmost respect.
The fact that the Hawaiian people thrived on these islands for centuries — managing complex agricultural systems, navigating vast stretches of open ocean, developing a rich oral tradition, language, and spiritual practice — speaks to remarkable ingenuity and adaptability. The fact that their language was banned in the late 1800s and is now not only surviving but thriving, taught in immersion schools and spoken by a new generation, speaks to a resilience that is genuinely inspiring. It is also worth acknowledging, particularly for those considering making Hawaii their home, that Hawaii’s inclusion in the United States was the result of an unlawful overthrow of a legitimate government in 1893 — driven by greed and racism dressed up as sanctimonious good intentions. This history matters. The strength and resilience of the Hawaiian people today is all the more remarkable in light of it.
What This Means for Those Moving Here
If you are considering moving to Hawaii — or even visiting — understanding and respecting the culture is not optional. It is essential.
Come with an open heart and a genuine willingness to learn. Treat the people you meet with kindness and respect, and most will repay you with the aloha these islands are known for. Many people who move here say that while the place is beautiful, it is ultimately the people they fall in love with. I hear this again and again, and I agree.
In Waimea specifically, Hawaiian culture is woven into everyday life — in the Hawaiian language charter school Kanu O Ka Aina, in the work of the Paniolo Preservation Society, in the ranching traditions that stretch back generations. Coming here with curiosity and respect for that history will enrich your experience immeasurably.
A Few Practical Notes
Finding places to stay while you explore has become more challenging since Hawaii County tightened vacation rental regulations, but bed and breakfasts remain available. The State of Hawaii maintains a helpful newcomers guide at ehawaii.gov for those considering a move.
And if you want to understand a little more about what life here is like — the beauty and the challenges — read my post on What You Need to Know Before Moving to the Big Island.
Judy S. Howard, Esq. is a Realtor Broker with COMPASS in Waimea, Hawaii, and a licensed Hawaii attorney with over 30 years of experience. She can be reached at judy@livinginwaimea.com or 808-885-5588.