11. Shaka

Bueno, esta es la historia de Shaka, un saludo tipico entre surfistas.

The History of the “Shaka Bra”

The Shaka sign is by far the most well known and used gesture by Hawaiian locals. Most Hawaiians learn the Shaka before they can even walk. For years mothers have been seen all over Hawaii saying to their babies, “make shaka, make shaka”. As much as it is a part of the Hawaiian life and culture, not many people including the Hawaiians even know how it started.

Where did it come from and how did it become such a popular symbol over the years? Not only is the Shaka recognized as a commonly used everyday gesture in Hawaii, it’s also infamous in almost every surfing community around the world. Well, after several weeks of research and many phone calls we finally found some answers for you.


Popular Theories

There are several theories about the Shakas origins. Some say it started with local Hawaiian boys while playing marbles. The technique of holding a marble in the creases of the cupped pointing finger and flicking it with your thumb as your pinkie sticks out creates the Shaka sign.

A few also swear it originated in Southern California between local surfers as a way to let each other know if the waves were up or down. Thumbs up, pinkie down meant that the waves were good and thumbs down, pinkie up meant that is was flat. Turning your wrist back and forth rotating the sign meant that the waves were so so.

It has also been said that it originated as a compliment from a well known Hawaiian elder. The elder would make a fist with his thumb and pinkie extended forming the shape of a hammerhead shark. It was considered to be a compliment when he gave you the Shaka sign because a shark has eyes of sharpness.


The Legend

Though these stories sound possible, the most prevailing story of the Shaka sign we found was that of Hamana Kalili from Laie. Around the beginning of the century in the early 1900's, Kahuku was a booming sugar plantation community. The sugar mill employed many people in the neighboring areas of Laie and Hauula.

Apparently, Mr.Kalili, a local resident and employee of the mill, lost his three middle fingers on his right hand during an accident at the old Kahuku Sugar Mill. While pushing stalks of cane through a roller which was used to extract the sugar, his fingers got caught in the rollers and were crushed.

Because he could no longer work in the mill, he became a security guard on the sugar train that traveled between Sunset Beach and Ka'a'awa. His job was to keep the local kids from jumping on the trains as they slowed down to enter or leave Kahuku. He would yell and wave at them with his right hand in an effort to keep them off the train.

He would also wave his right hand as a way to signal to the other security guards and train engineers that everything was clear. As he waved, all they could see was the silhouette of a fist with a thumb and pinkie sticking out.

Eventually the kids and the security guards adopted his 'wave', or what we now call the Shaka sign, and used it as an 'all clear' or 'go for it' sign. When the kids used the gesture, it meant that Kalili wasn’t around and it was okay to jump the train. The kids would also use the sign to taunt and tease him.


The King of the Shaka?

There are also stories of a Hawaiian king who was said to be responsible for starting the Shaka sign. Well, after some more research we found that Hamana Kalili, our fingerless friend from the sugar mill was also a chorister or choir leader for his church.

Kalili was the "mo'i (king) of the festivities" at the famed Hukilau that was held annually in Laie as a fundraiser for his Church. It was a huge community event that attracted Hawaiians from several other islands. This is obviously where the rumor of a king starting the Shaka sign originated.

So after doing weeks of research and speaking to several different people, we finally uncovered the true story of the Shakas origins.

We were told that at one time there was actually an old photo of Kalili dressed as a king as he waved to everyone at the festival, the wave that we now know to be, the Shaka. We’re begging for them to find us the photo!


Well, this is the true story of the Shaka in part told by David Parker, a Hawaiian Historian, and Von Logan, the grand nephew of Hamana Kalili our fingerless friend.


The Origin of the Word Shaka

Now that we know where the sign came from, what about the actual word Shaka? Where did it come from? There is no known definition of the word Shaka in the Hawaiian language.

Most Hawaiians believe that it started out as "Shark Eye". Somewhere along the line the "r" and the "eye" were dropped and an "a" was added to make it easier for the Hawaiians to say. Because shark eye was a phrase used by the “haoli” (white-skinned man), it was difficult for the Hawaiians to pronounce. It seems that Shaka was an early form of slang.

Here’s where it gets good. Remember the story of the Hawaiian elder who would make a fist with his thumb and pinkie extended to form the shape of a hammerhead shark in way of complimenting someone? Well once again our fingerless friend Hamana Kalili from the sugar mill is the man behind the myth.

Apparently, Mr.Kalili was also an avid fisherman who loved sharks. He would tell stories to the children of his church about the open seas and how sharks had eyes of sharpness. To play with the kids he would chase a