The Shaka

Boulder, Colorado

December 10, 2020

The shaka sign is the famous surfers' hand gesture. The story of the popular sign goes back to the roots of Hawaiian culture. shaka brah!

When the surf culture grew and spread through California and America during the 1960s, a new body gesture gained enthusiasts.

Surfers from Hawaii started saluting fellow wave riders and friends with an original hand sign.

Surfers loved it, and before long, the original shaka from Hawaii had an alternative nickname: Hang Loose. The surf sign prevailed and expanded into Europe, Oceania, Asia and Africa; the shaka gesture got adopted by an increasing number of water sports enthusiasts, and the star system started doing too.

And when the president of the United Stated of America - Barack Obama - started throwing shakas, the trend conquered the world. But what's the real meaning of shaka? In fact, it can mean many positive things. "Hi," "Thank You," "All Right," "See You," "Peace," "Goodbye," "Take Care," and "Chill Out" are some of the daily reasons for delivering shakas.

Interestingly, the surfers' official salutation has a few different meanings in various countries.

In China, it means "six", and in Russia, a similar gesture can be an invitation to drink a beer. In some Caribbean islands, it may suggest sexual contact.

Polynesian researchers now know that the word "shaka" is not of Hawaiian origins. The strongest clue to its origin refers to Hamana Kalili of Laie (June 18, 1882 - December 17, 1958), a Hawaiian fisherman from the town of Laie who lost three middle fingers from his right hand during an accident at the old Kahuku Sugar Mill.

Because he could no longer work in the mill, Hamana became a security guard on the sugar train that used to travel between Sunset Beach and Kaaawa.

Apparently, he was always trying to keep kids off of the train; they would jump on and ride from town to town.

To communicate that Hamana was not looking and that the way was clear, the kids started signaling each other with their hands, mocking the missing fingers.

There is also the story of David "Lilly" Espinda, the car lot and gas station owner who used the shaka to greet his customers.

Later, the Mayor of Honolulu, Frank Fasi made it even more popular.

The shaka, also known as "hang loose," is more than just a simple hand gesture. But do you really know how to throw it?

Today, Hawaii's iconic fingerprint is pretty much a universal gesture that has been adopted by millions of people and is no longer just a symbol of surf culture.

Some Hawaiians love to throw them really loose, and many girls and women tend to avoid them.

The classic shaka sign is always a bold, confident and committed hand gesture with two main versions - the frontside and the backside shaka.

You don't need to enroll in a training program to do the shaka. Just make sure you practice it until it's perfect. Now, let's get practical. Here's how to do a proper shaka:

1. Prepare your favorite shaka hand - or both; 2. Make a fist; 3. Spread or extend your pinky and thumb fingers; 4. Fold your middle fingers down; 5. Shake it or twist it (optional);

Believe it or not, there are several types of shakas, and each one fits a specific situation in life.

The most common shakas are the classic shaka, the local shaka, the Menehune or baby shaka, the big or XXL shaka, and the double shaka.

Some people like to open it; others prefer it tight. The shaka can also be a static hand sign or a very active and bold motion gesture.

One thing's for sure: every time you throw a shaka, you're spreading aloha.

And the truth is that everyone can add their own little flair to it. So, in a way, yes, the shaka is in constant evolution.