ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Ancient Hawaii

Okay, little one, let's talk about Ancient Hawaii!

A long, long time ago, before people from other countries arrived, Hawaii was a group of islands in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. The people who lived there were called Native Hawaiians.

These people lived in small, close-knit communities and had their own language, culture, and traditions. They had chiefs, or leaders, who made important decisions for the community.

Native Hawaiians were skilled farmers and fishermen. They grew taro, sweet potatoes, and other fruits and vegetables. They also fished in the ocean to get seafood like fish, octopus, and seaweed.

They didn't have things like grocery stores or shops to buy things – instead they made everything they needed themselves. They used resources like wood and plants to make their own houses, canoes, and tools.

Native Hawaiians also had a rich spiritual life. They believed in many gods and practiced rituals and ceremonies to honor them. They also had a strong connection to nature and believed that everything in the world was connected.

One of the most well-known aspects of Ancient Hawaii is hula dancing, which is a type of traditional dance that tells stories through movement and music. Hula was and still is an important part of Hawaiian culture.

Overall, Ancient Hawaii was a unique and thriving society that had its own way of life. Today, Native Hawaiians work to keep their traditions alive and share their culture with the world.