Salt Making - A Hawaiian Tradition

Today's Honolulu Star Advertiser includes an article about Kuulei Santos, "one of the few Hanapepe salt makers, the dedicated descendents who continue the ancient Hawaiian practice of crystallizing the sea." She started a blog, Pa'akai Farming in Hanapepe, to educate people about this tradition and document her efforts to preserve the area (on Kauai).

I found it fascinating to read about this ancient Hawaiian tradition, something I know nothing about, despite having grown up in Hawai'i. My parents were not born in Hawai'i, so that could be a reason I have never heard of this practice, but I also think that a lot of Hawaiian culture has been lost in general. While I am proponent for the economic advancement of our state, I do think it's important that the Hawaiian culture does not disappear, and those of us without Hawaiian blood were better educated about it. Is it possible to modernize and build up Hawai'i while still keeping the Hawaiian culture alive? I think so...

Check out Kuulei Santos's website, too! Pa'akai: to solidify the sea

Source: Pa'akai Farming in Hanapepe