You can easily have a long vacation in Hawaii without learning much of anything about the area, its people, its history and its culture.  The modern vacation industry provides us with some great accommodations and amenities, but it also creates the risk of being “isolated” from the area in which we’re staying.

That’s unfortunate, because any Hawaii vacation will benefit from a healthy portion of “local flavor”.  Hawaii is a truly fascinating place with a wonderful story to tell and travelers really should make a point of immersing themselves in the areas culture while traveling.  You’ll find that some exposure to Hawaiian cultures and traditions will make for a more enjoyable and meaningful trip.

That doesn’t mean that you have to give up your room at the Four Seasons or that you need to eschew some of Hawaii’s world famous gourmet restaurants to stay in a residential area or to eat at the locals’ favorite cafe.  You can have a wonderful, recreational vacation and still learn a little bit about Hawaii and its people along the way.

Many vacationers’ only contact with Hawaiian culture comes about as part of a resort-sponsored luau that might feature a few hula dancers.  Yes, the luau is a uniquely Hawaiian event and it is true that the traditional dance of the islands is an important cultural cornerstone, but those things are really just the beginning.

The old religions of Hawaii are fascinating and explain a great deal about the traditions that still influence the island today.  The ancient feather cloaks of Hawaiian leaders were carefully colored and assembled to communicate specific messages.  Traditional arts blended the aesthetic with the practical in a uniquely Hawaiian fashion.

And that’s only the beginning.  The last two hundred years of Hawaiian history are a remarkable story of turmoil and togetherness.  It’s a completely unique tale that features the best and worst aspects of American assimilation and “progress”.  Hawaiian food is unlike anything else, a fusion between Eastern, American and native Hawaiian tastes.

You can have a wonderful time in Hawaii without learning a thing other than how to snorkel.  However, you’ll find that your Hawaii vacation will be a great deal richer and meaningful if you take the time to absorb some of the state’s culture.

You don’t need to be a bookworm, spending your days in a library while others hit the beach as part of their Hawaii vacation.  You should, however, consider visiting one or two of the fabulous museums in Hawaii or at least taking a sliver of your time and using it to engage in tours or events designed to increase your understanding of Hawaiian culture.