Surfing is an ancient Hawaiian tradition.
The Colonial period of Hawaii started when British naval officer, Captain James Cook, arrived to the Islands in 1778. Throughout the 18th and 19th century, European settlers and Native Hawaiians in Honolulu shared some of the same interests in leisurely activities. Many of Colonial Honolulu's leisurely activities, such as surfing and luaus, still occur today and are popular for Hawaiian natives and tourists alike.
Surfing
Although it is unknown when surfing began, English accounts of this leisurely activity were written almost immediately after Captain James Cook landed in Hawaii during the 1770s. The English discovered surfing was an integral part of the Native Hawaiian's way of life. When new surfboards were built, the veteran surfers -- known as kahunas -- would chant special mantras over the surfboard. Also, certain beaches and reefs were reserved for Hawaiian tribal chieftains -- or ali'i -- while commoners were only allowed to surf at specific beaches and reefs. During the colonial period, chieftains would ride boards as long as 24 feet. Modern surf points near Honolulu -- such as Waikiki and North Beach -- were also used in Colonial Honolulu.
Luaus
Luaus were created during the Colonial Hawaii period. The history of Hawaiian luaus date back to 1819, when King Kamehameha II abolished his kingdom's kapu system, which included religious taboos concerning dining practices. Before the age of luaus, Hawaiian men and women were forbidden to eat with one another. Also, only Hawaiian nobility and royalty could eat certain Hawaiian delicacies. Luaus are dining events when people eat on the floor without utensils. Luau participants sit on lauhala mats and eat off the centerpiece, which is made of ti leaves and native flowers. Traditional dishes at a luau are poi -- a stew made from taro root -- kalua pig, fresh fruit and lomilomi salmon, or salmon with tomatoes and onions.
Hunting
The primary hunting animals in Colonial Hawaii were wild boars. The Polynesian settlers introduced pigs to Hawaii in the 5th century A.D., while the British brought European pigs, goats and cattle. The purpose for introducing these animals was for domestication (rearing livestock and pigs for meat). However, many of these animals escaped captivity and created feral populations. British colonists seized the opportunity to hunt wild Polynesian boars and European pigs for sport. Native Hawaiians and colonists also took advantage of fishing on Oahu's freshwater ponds and coastlines. Lobster, squid, octopus and fish were some of the common animals sought after by the Island's residents.
Dragon Boat Racing
The Chinese introduced dragon boat racing to Colonial Hawaii. The arrival of the Chinese to Colonial Honolulu occurred in the late 18th century and 19th century. Dragon boats are long watercraft and require up to 22 passengers rowers per boat. The rower sitting at the rear of the boat is the sweeper and responsible for steering the direction of the boats. At the front of the boat, the caller, or drummer, uses drumbeats to relay how fast the paddlers should row. Dragon boat racing was not only popular with Chinese colonists, but the natives and English setters watched races, too.
Tags: Colonial Honolulu, Colonial Hawaii, 19th century, beaches reefs, Captain James, Captain James Cook