Kealiʻi Reichel | Long Story Short with Leslie Wilcox 

Same story with me, albeit only eleven years living there. It is indeed a great culture, and I feel honored to have gotten to know it, as it has enriched my life. Everyone should be as fortunate, but you really have to approach each place in the world with an open mind to get inside its local culture. And if there is a pu'uwai (heart) to the modern Hawaiian culture, Keali'i Reichel is definitely at the center of it.

I am also not Hawaiian not by race anyway, but in my heart certainly. I was raised there from a baby, my dad was born there. I think, growing up that way and living the life everyday,it becomes odd to hear of the life and culture spoken of as something outside of the "norm". As a kid I was so mad I had blond hair, I wanted to be like my friends and I really wanted people to stop asking where i was from (on the mainland) Id be like "here" fortunately living in a small town on an outer island it didn't happen that much Even now, on the mainland going to any Hawaiian event that assumption bugs me. The reason for this reaction is like you mentioned, i grew up learning and respecting the culture, music, hula , language. I am not someone who went over and tried to live mainland style on the island. No matter where you live, you learn to mesh with community, not try to change it

Luv you kealii your culture is so important.....keep doing what you doing kumu hula....

I was born and raised in Hawaii but not ethnically Hawaii. I took Hawaiian culture for granted growing up and regretfully thought aspects of it were lame or overrated. But now older and wiser, I've grown to appreciate having had the opportunity to grow up and be influenced by the culture of Hawaii and to be able to take the aloha spirit that has been instilled in my soul wherever I go in the world. It's always a treat meeting other Kama'aina or people who've spend considerable time in Hawaii and "get" and understand the culture.

I think NOT learning or understanding this culture is an opportunity wasted. It is one that is quite rich and beautiful that anyone can gain something from knowing.

L Boales Rude, privileged,and disrespectful ? A product of the oppressors ? Seriously? I am thinking you that you did not comprehend what I was saying . Perhaps try again ? If I am saying that it is a good thing to learn and appreciate and understand Hawaiian culture... a culture I grew up in, and love, respect and appreciate.. how does that make me an oppressor of any kind. So before you attack next time maybe make sure you understand what was being said. The Kapuna , well everyone actually, are far more evolved and apparently educated than you are. Have a beautiful day..

@@jennc3859 I certainly hope so. Did you perhaps forget to insert a comma between the words think and NOT, and between the words culture and is: i.e. I think, "NOT" learning or understanding this culture, is an opportunity wasted. The punctuation gives an entirely different meaning. How about you explain what you think you meant.

L Boales seriously? That’s what you came up with as a justification for not understanding.? I’m not worried you’re the only person who had a beef. So, you’ve said your piece , run along now and bother someone else.

L Boales you get that you’re muddying the point and message of this thread with your trivial comments and accusations. I am not going to engage with you re this any further

M.K.I can only thank you in this way because your reply does not appear in the comments. This variant is the most beautiful :-D

Germans are known for their self-hatred. Sad!