The Kānaka Maoli of Hawai‘i: Rooted in Aloha

In this episode of Lost Cultures: Living Legacies, we journey to the Hawaiian islands to explore the deep roots and living traditions of Kānaka Maoli, the Native Hawaiian people. Our guests, all Kānaka Maoli, include Dr. Uluwehi Hopkins, a professor of Hawaiian and world history, Evan Mokuahi Hayes, a cultural practitioner and founder of Detour Hawai‘i and Hawaiian Tour Co., and Hokulani Holt Padilla, a renowned kumu hula. Together, they lead us through Hawai‘i’s layered past, from Polynesian voyaging and the rise of the Hawaiian Kingdom to colonization, statehood, and the islands’ vibrant cultural renaissance. Through their lived experiences and ancestral knowledge, they reveal how Hawaiians continue to reclaim, protect, and celebrate their heritage. They also share thoughtful insight on how visitors can engage with the islands in a respectful and meaningful way. You can find us online at travelandleisure.com/lostcultures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices