“Ohana”- The Greater Family Written By: Randy Weckerly

from The Next Taste | January 2021 | Volume 1

American Craftsman Written By: Wes Farno

From Paris, France with the great street food, shows, or just walking around the Eiffel Tower. Or Houston, Texas and going to the world’s largest rodeo, great barbeque locations and music. My time away was all about meeting people, enjoying, exploring and of course the dining with new people I meet along the way.

It brought me back to a word imbedded in the Hawaiian culture, “Ohana”. I learned the short version of “Ohana” means family. “Aloha” is famous and used by most tourists upon arrival. The Hawaiian term is used universally in “hello and goodbye” and is known all over the world. “Ohana” is a spiritual Hawaiian word that pervades life on each and every island. It imbues bringing people together to live in harmony and everyone can connect with the idea worldwide.

The Hawaiian “Ohana” is the greater family living amidst the spirit of the islands. Many generations of a singlefamily live together under one roof including grandparents, aunts, uncles, parents, and children. The children may go off to school but as I have said for many years. I don’t experience many Hawaiian’s yearnings to retire in Chicago, Illinois. You will find all generations of children, cousins, aunts and uncles contributing to the greater good. The “Ohana”.

In up-coming issues of “The Next Taste”, I have decided to simply feature destinations where I experienced the greater “Ohana” of the community as a whole either stateside or on the islands. I look forward to sharing my experiences in the coming months of “The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort” in Charleston, South Carolina, “The Dessert Springs Marriott” in Palm Springs, California, “The King and Prince” in Savannah, Georgia and “Callaway Gardens” in Pine Mountain, Georgia.

However, since were talking Hawaii let’s get to know what we look for in Hawaiian “Ohana”. I have visited Maui many times since 1978. I have watched it change from two lane bumpy roads stretching from Kahului Airport to Lahaina to now having four lane thoroughfares.

I have developed relationships while learning the sensitivities of the Hawaiian culture. The islands are the most remote location on earth, sustainable activities are a lifestyle, preserving their island and coral reefs are a daily mainstay. Their attempt to preserve their heritage. I did learn early on being called “Aunty or Uncle” is a mainstay of the “Hawaiian Pidgin Language”, a bend on a different version in English.

Hawaiianplanner.com has one of the best definitions of “aunty and uncle”: refer to just about everyone. They don't need to actually be an aunt or an uncle which goes back to the idea of Ohana. Child-rearing is a group responsibility with such large families living under one roof. Cousins, older siblings,

I feel more importantly is the overriding feeling these terms represent: “The terms Aunty and Uncle can even be used for complete strangers on the islands. This is an extension of Ohana as it takes an entire island to raise a child. Essentially, everyone on the island is a part of your Ohana or family, so you should treat one another with respect.”

Sharing experiences of this culture is truly one of my dearest memories of the island. In the same way you can’t smell through this article the aroma of the islands, experience its food, the warmth the water, the unrelenting blue by day and the deepest dark at night, seeing more of the Milky Way than imaginable every night. I can only list in short version “Ohana”.

“Locals use the words, aunty and uncle, to some of the best places I have experienced

and even unrelated friends can be an aunty or an uncle within the family.”

Dining in Up-Country: “Kula Bistro” located in Kula, Maui Up-country; www.kulabistro.com. A very special setting with moderate prices and a pastry shop that serves the whole island for special events and weddings. It’s worth the trip.

Paia Day Trip: “Indigo Paia Shop” where you can find “Daniel Sullivan Photography” located in Central Paia, Maui. https:// www.danielsul-livanphotography.com/ index. One of the world’s best awardwinning photographers from whom you can learn a lot from his photography classes. Daniel can be found most days at his store “Indigo Paia”, truly one of the nicest and kindest people I have met on the islands. His photography can be found in every issue of “The Next Taste” and you can purchase his photography online. Experiential Day Trip: “Jaws” where you can see some of the world’s largest waves, surfers, kite boarders and humpback whales all in one day adventure. Go down to the beach and frequently see turtles on the beach (please don’t disturb them) up-close and personal. Get to know some of the surfers up close by the beach.

As of January 5,2021, I have just talked with my friends on the islands about the experience of Hawaiian travel and their challenges. Covid negative testing is on-going and proof of negative test is needed upon arrival. I would hope you would read the latest updates on travel to Hawaii at this site: https:// www.gohawaii.com/travel-requirements.

Our media team is hoping to visit the Island of Maui this September. We hopefully will be fully vaccinated and ready to go safely. Maui only has 27 ventilators and limited hospital capacity and hopefully, all facets of the island will be reopening as time passes. Currently, Maui is technically open with limits on public gathering to 5 people and 10–14-day quarantine upon arrival. Please check all you must do before getting on an airplane. I have been told that getting tested before going through California is best advice, due to the heavy Covid-19 outbreak.

“Ohana” is caring about family, I care about you. Where we might soon travel safely and enjoyably. My experiences with phone calls today with my “Maui Ohana” is always the best. “Ohana” never leaves you, the experiences and the love.

So, Aloha for now. Let’s meet up in Maui Fall 2021.