Shaka

Shaka

Welcome to Hi in Hawaii - We are Hi on Life, Hi on the Mountain and Hi on Cannabis. This podcast is meant to be a form of entertainment and escape, while at the same time being informative about cannabis products and methods of consumption. If you are new, welcome, kick back with your choice of strain and enjoy the stories and the tunes.

Shaka

Wise Words

PFC Songs

Learning As I Grow!

Shaka

I have noticed it at the Olympics, not just the Hawaiian Surfer in the opening ceremony, the Shaka sign. Swimmers, Skateboarders, Volleyball, even on a tumbling routine.

Pinky and Thumb out and wave it left and right. Or you can just let it hang.

“Hang loose,” “Right on,” “Thank you,” “Things are great,” “Take it easy” – in Hawaii, the shaka sign expresses all those friendly messages and more. As kamaaina know (people from this land), to make the shaka, you curl your three middle fingers while extending your thumb and baby finger. For emphasis, quickly turn your hand back and forth with your knuckles facing outward.

As the story goes, the gesture traces its origins back to the early 1900s when Hamana Kalili worked at Kahuku Sugar Mill. His job as a presser was to feed cane through the rollers to squeeze out its juice. One day, Kalili’s right hand got caught in the rollers, and his middle, index and ring fingers were crushed.

After the accident, the plantation owners gave Kalili a new job as the security officer for the train that used to run between Sunset Beach and Kaaawa. Part of his job was to prevent kids from jumping on the train and taking joyrides as it slowly approached and departed Kahuku Station.

If Kalili saw kids trying to get on the train, he would yell and wave his hands to stop them. Of course, that looked a bit strange since he had only two fingers on his right hand. The kids adopted that gesture; it became their signal to indicate Kalili was not around or not looking, and the coast was clear for them to jump on the train.

The term “shaka” is not a Hawaiian word. It’s attributed to David “Lippy” Espinda, a used car pitchman who ended his TV commercials in the 1960s with the gesture and an enthusiastic “Shaka, brah!” Lippy, who frequently appeared as an extra in Hawaii Five-O as well as The Brady Bunch episodes shot in Hawaii. Though the claim that he is the originator of the shaka sign is debatable, he is credited with increasing its popularity and of Hawaiian Pidgin as well

In Hawaii, everyone from keiki to kupuna uses the shaka to express friendship, gratitude, goodwill, encouragement and unity.

Mental Health is just as important as Physical Health.

If more people would take a stand for Mental Health we could alleviate them stigma associated with it. Simone Biles is on the Worlds stage and taking extreme measure to protect herself. Why isn’t that Okay or accepted. Because of the unnecessary shame that comes along with standing up for your mental health. It may be the biggest hurdle that prevents people from reaching out for help. I know it was a big reason for me. I thought for many years that if I ever told someone the truth about what I was feeling that I would be locked up for being crazy. Seriously

Fuzz Face Pedals by Wes Jeans
Fuzz Face Texas Edition guitar pedals. Custom made by Wes Jeans
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show