The “Shaka”—an unmistakeable pinky and thumb salute—as seen in these photos is a symbol of Aloha.
The greeting has become an embodiment of and “island style,” conveyance of friendship, compassion, and solidarity among the diverse ethnic cultures that make up Hawaii’s history, and has become well known around the world.
After coming to the island for over forty years, it is not uncommon to meet new friends and see old friends from the main land.
On this trip we got together with our vivacious spirited friend Jenny and her husband Mel for a drink. Jenny is a student of the late American spiritual teacher, and guru of modern yoga, Ram Dass (born Richard Alpert) and has attended his island retreat on Maui for over twelve years. I have been an admirer of Ram Dass, attended a talk by him in San Jose, CA when he first came to prominence and have read many of his bestselling classics including “Be Here Now.” Cecile and I met Jenny in yoga class at the Marriott Ocean Club resort many years ago. After living in Texas for many years she and Mel who is originally from Zimbabwe are moving to NYC across the Hudson from my home town, Hoboken, NJ. We wish them much happiness on their new journey and hope they will still be able to make it to Maui next year.
We also got together for a drink with our yoga friend, Sanae at the Lokelani Pool Bar. She used to be a member of Bay Club Courtside in Los Gatos, CA and moved to Maui in September. Knowing we were in Maui through one of my Facebook posts, in the spirit of Aloha she reached out to us, expressing an interest to see us, especially logistically we were so close from where she lives (photos, including one taken with the Shaka gesture).
The Shaka’s origin is mostly credited to Hamana Kalili of Laie, HI, who lost the middle fingers of his right hand while working at the Kahuku Sugar Mill. Kalili was then shifted to guarding the sugar train, and his all-clear wave of thumb and pinkie is said to have evolved into the shaka as children imitated the gesture.
This Shaka statue seen in the photo taken at Whalers Village on Ka’anapali Beach was created by local artists Amber Cara Hickman and Athena Medina, of Maui Art Life, from reclaimed polystyrene originally used on a movie set. As a team, they have collaborated on a multitude of mixed media installation art pieces and multi-sensory experiences and their mission is to create unique art that supports the local economy with a resourceful strategy, an artistic eye, and a commitment to reduce the overall carbon footprint where possible.
