The Shaka Sign – Hang Loose!!!

Other than saying “aloha!” nothing says you’re in Hawaii, or the next best thing – a Hawaiian state of mind  - quite like the shaka sign. So what does the shaka sign mean? Just like aloha, it is used in Hawaii for several different meanings – like hi, goodbye, aloha, thanks, take care, take it easy, “howzit!” (loosely translated into my new local language, southernese – thatt would be a friendly  how y’all doin?) – but MOSTLY it means hang loose!!!

Think. hakuna matata (hey did you get a chance to catch the 3D version of the Lion King before it left theatres? Technologically not up to 3D movies of today, but how great to see old Pumba and crew on a big screen again!)     OK back to the “shak” – (did I mention I have ADD?) – could anything be cooler than to share the feeling of chillin’ out with just a one second flick of the wrist?

Now you’ll score points with your Hawaiian friends or on your trip to Hawaii if you can make the shaka sign properly: a little tip –  so start by holding your thumb and pinkie out (not TOO far out) and then curl in everything else – but give just a little flick of the wrist turning your palm toward you – don’t wave it around too frantically or you’re not hangin’ loose enough!

So where did the shaka sign come from? Even though I’m from Hawaii, I confess I never knew, but I did a little research and discovered it’s apparently a little bit of a mystery – one story is that it was started on Oahu (the major island that has Honolulu, the capital, on it) by a local man who had lost all three middle fingers – he would stand along the road leading to the Polynesian Cultural Center (which you’ve got to go see if you make it to Hawaii!) and wave at everyone who passed encouraging them to visit the Center. People would wave back, imitating his gesture, not realizing he was missing his fingers!

I really like this story if it’s true or even if it’s not – I love it when an adversity or misfortune, in the right “hands,”  leads to the spreading of aloha a million times over and throughout the world.    Cool – isn’t this why we’re all here?

So let’s let the hang loose philospophy enter our lives – there really aren’t THAT many things worth getting stressed over. I’ll be sharing lots of other ways to de-stress in my blogs, but I suggest starting with this idea (btw this isn’t my original idea – I don’t remember where I heard it so I can’t credit them, but I like it anyway J) – all right, so whenever you’re feeling stressed out, make the shaka sign with both hands– at YOURSELF – you can wiggle it enthusiastically like a tourist this time, and just visualize ALL your stress shaking out of you. Shake off the bad driver, the unreasonable boss, the noisy neighbors – whatever might be stressing you out lately – if you have some health challenges, shake them out too!  Just repeat until you’re completely and thoroughly hangin’ loose – or until people are looking at you funny.

And don’t forget it’s a fun idea to try the local version of the sign around other people too – I’ve noticed a lot of people everywhere starting to use it whenever they’re in an island – or partying – state of mind!

And now, a totally cool picture of a tourist making a shaka sign – this guy really looks like he’s having a blast and hangin’ loose (credit to Tracey Northcott (GomiGirl)

 

Much aloha and remember – hang loose!!!  – Ronnie Tsunami

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