WHY do you want a Hawaiian name?

Aloha e ka poe makee i ka olelo Hawaii,

WHY do you want a Hawaiian name?

This is a good question to ask others as well, when the conversation arises. Identifying your intentions for wanting a Hawaiian name, most likely for a child, will help you navigate where to go from there. 

Here are some reasons that people want a Hawaiian name. 

• Connecting to your Hawaiian ancestry. It makes sense that you would want your child to have a Hawaiian name. We like to be identified as “Hawaiian”. 

• You want to be “more” Hawaiian. I hate to break it to you, but a Hawaiian name doesn't make you “more” Hawaiian. Yes, names are important to Hawaiians, but more so than having a Hawaiian name, is knowing your language and culture. Also consider this, if any of your ancestors were Hawaiian aboriginals, you are Hawaiian. To me, this weighs heavier than a name. 

• Hawaiian names sound cool. (Because you’re subscribed to my newsletter, I don’t actually believe this is your reason, but I’m sure you’ve come across this.) If you want a Hawaiian name just because it sounds good, you won’t be doing your child any favors.

I’m sure we all know someone who doesn't have a Hawaiian name, but has an impressive awareness and education about Hawaiian traditions. Learning the language and cultural practices takes a lot of work, so let’s make sure that we’re not just taking a “short cut” to being Hawaiian with a Hawaiian name.

Next week, we will go over some of the things not to do when choosing a Hawaiian name, and I promise, you don’t want to pick a Hawaiian word just because it sounds good. 

Please share this email with anyone you know who is currently wanting a Hawaiian name, and hopefully, you can start a healthy conversation around this topic. We’re all learning and trying to do better to “represent” as Hawaiians, and we can move forward as a people with understanding and a willingness to learn and progress. 

me ka oiaio,

Malu

ka-alala.mykajabi.com