Aloha

Name: Kura Kukahiko Broadnax

Where are you from?
I live in Pahoa, on the big island of Hawaii, and I was born on an active cinder cone (small volcano).

Horoscope: Capricorn

How long have you been in Halifax?
I’ve been here for two years.

The Kanaka Maoli: the Native Hawaiian Flag

Coat of Arms: Two paddles crossed over a kahili (a symbol of Hawaiian royalty)

Yellow colour: Alertness to Spirituality (Alii)

Red color: Power of Ancestors (Konohiki)

Green color: Goodness of Land

How does the weather in Halifax compare to home?
The weather is much colder here than Hawaii, especially in the winter. In Hawaii we are used to a beautiful, cool breeze, not the ice-cold wind chill factor I experienced here. The up-and-down shift in temperatures has been difficult to adjust to, but I LOVE the snow and snowboarding.

What is the difference in fashion?
Hawaiian clothing fashion is more loose and flowing due to the heat. We don’t see so much of the yoga pants and tight clothes that I see here. Also clothing is more colorful, here I see a lot of black clothes.

What is your favourite food?
My favourite food is called “poke,” which is raw tuna fish with seaweed, hot chili peppers and sesame oil.

What is your favorite sport?
My favorite sport is gymnastics. I love the continuous challenges in the sport, and different events. I also enjoy basketball and martial arts.

What’s the biggest difference you’ve enjoyed while here?
The biggest difference that I love is SNOW DAYS!

What do you find different about schools in Hawaii and Halifax?
The schools in Hawaii are similar to here, with very nice people, but are more open to the outside weather and open to a lot of Hawaiian cultural activities that I miss.

What else is different about life here and at home?
On the big island where I was born in Hawaii, they still have a very close family and community-oriented society where everybody is called Auntie and Uncle even when they are not related. What is different is they treat you and love you like family, always giving a hug and kiss. Since I moved to Nova Scotia, people are very nice, but I can feel boundaries I have to be careful sometimes not to overstep. People often ask me why I call everybody Auntie and Uncle, but I tell them in Hawaii we consider all people OHANA (family).

What message would you like to give to youth?
Travel and experience other cultures: learn how they dress, live, socialize, eat. It is a great thing to see other people and make new family so that nobody is left out.

Aloha! (Be blessed by the spirit of love.)