Sand Tray Therapy Class Idea, Hawaii Multicultural Midterm with Sand Tray Miniatures, Student #2, Martha

by Martha

Martha’s Sand Tray Therpay Class Midterm: Multicultural Project Miniatures from Hawaii:

Hawaii is a paradise group of seven major islands in the Pacific Ocean that are part of the Polynesian culture: Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and Big Island of Hawaii (are the four largest islands), and Lanai, Molokai and Niihau are the smaller islands. Among the many cultural symbols distinguishing the Hawaiian Polynesian culture from other cultures are: the Lei, the luau, the Mai Tai, the holoku, the ukulele, and the Spirit of Aloha.

The Lei is a garland typically made of either fresh or artificial flowers. There are also Leis made out of shells. Leis may be worn by both males and females. Instead of flowers, many men prefer a Haku Lei made out of leaves or a Kukui Lei made out of nuts. The Lei symbolizes the Aloha spirit of the people in Hawaii and was first introduced to Hawaii by its first settlers who arrived from Tahiti. The Lei is an offer of harmony and peace. The proper way to wear a Lei is hanging around the neck although it can also be worn as a hair piece.

A Lei can be bought, or hand-made. The protocol suggests that if we have been given a Lei, we need to accept it as a symbol of harmony and should not remove it in front of the person who has given it to us. Legend has it that if we throw a Lei in the ocean by the shore and it returns with the current, it means we are most likely going to return to Hawaii.

A Lei is used in many festive occasions such as weddings, anniversaries, birthday parties and graduations. Leis are designed to be worn either as a single Lei or several, one on top of the other. When wearing a Lei some room needs to be left for the Lei to hang both from the back of the neck as well as from the front.

Photo # 3 shows my three Leis, one from each island I have visited: Oahu, Maui, and Kauai, each Lei represents each of my trips to each of these three Hawaiian islands.

May 1 is the official Lei Day in Hawaii. This is a festival celebrated every year in downtown Honolulu, the capital of Oahu, and the home of Waikiki Beach, a popular spot with tourists who come to visit the islands from all over the world. I was in Oahu in 1992, approximately five days before hurricane Iniki hit Kauai and Oahu. Iniki went through the Kauai Channel—the waters that separate Oahu and Kauai.

Many visitors to Hawaii receive a Lei upon their arrival at the airport, which is symbolic of the Spirit of Aloha. Nothing captures the spirit of Aloha as much as the Lei. Aloha has a multitude of meanings. It means love, hello, farewell, welcome, best wishes, and goodwill. Aloha is not just a word, but a way of living in harmony with self and others.

Offering a Lei with a kiss dates back to the end of World War II when soldiers were returning home from the war.

A great occasion to wear a Lei is at a luau. A luau is a feast to the senses. The luau is a Polynesian custom that is enthusiastically shared with visitors of the Polynesian Cultural Center in Oahu’s north shore. An authentic luau is ceremonial in nature and it captures ancient history when Hawaii was ruled by royalty.

The focal culinary point of a typical luau is the roasting of a pig (pua’a in Hawaiian) cooked in an imu that cooks very slowly going around and around in an open fire making sure the pig is well-cooked all over.

The pig symbolizes abundance and the idea behind it is not to let anyone attending a luau go home hungry; there is plenty of food for everyone. Luaus are also celebrated in private homes, at a tent, and at the beach in hotels around the islands.

Other food served at a luau may include seafood, fresh fish, prime rib, chicken, salads, and plenty of local fruits such as mango, kiwi, and papaya. For adults who desire an alcoholic beverage, Mai Tai is an alcoholic drink associated with Hawaii.

A classic Mai Tai is made out of rum, fresh lime juice, and a touch of orange juice. Almonds, an orchid and little umbrella may be used for ornament and to remind us we are in paradise.

A large crowd of people can usually be found at a luau sitting in different tables enjoying conversation and Hawaiian music.

In my sand tray I have included a miniature from my visit to Kauai in 1997. This is a female Hawaiian figurine wearing a white Holoku, a formal, long dress with long sleeves. Originally worn by royalty, the Holoku is an iconic garment that has been part of the Hawaiian culture since the beginning of the 19th century.

A photo in the right foreground was taken when I visited Oahu in 1992 at the Kodak show, the most famous and authentic Hawaiian show in Oahu. This photo shows a group of women wearing a more informal Holoku with short sleeves. However, the length of the Holoku remains the same whether it is formal or informal. A Holoku has a train and it is supposed to be long enough to touch the ground. Made of Hawaiian cotton, the Holoku symbolizes the Old Hawaii and respect for history.

The women photographed at the Kodak show are playing the ukulele, a four-string instrument that looks like a small guitar, which has been part of the Hawaiian culture since the late 19th century.

Traditional Hawaiian folk songs are written specifically to be played in a ukulele.

Although each of the islands of Hawaii has its own flavor, one thing they share in common is their commitment to the Spirit of Aloha, that is, a devotion to inner harmony.

I plan to hold this Hawaiian sand tray in mind to remind me of the everlasting Spirit of Aloha.

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