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Imelda Dickinson, 4/7/2010 Honolulu, HI

The "shaka" sign is a common greeting gesture. It is often associated with Hawaii. It consists of extending the thumb and smallest finger while keeping the three middle fingers curled, and raising the hand as in salutation with the back of the hand facing the person that is being greeted; sometimes the hand is rotated back and forth to emphasize the sign.

The shaka sign resembles the American Sign Language letter for Y.The sign is often followed by waving as a greeting or acknowledgement. It can be used when driving as a signal of thanks to other drivers (for example, someone who stopped to let another driver onto the road from a driveway).

Hawaiian locals use the shaka for various meanings, like "all right", "cool", "smooth", etc. Residents of states other than Hawaii who use the shaka may describe it as meaning "hang loose" and in California, the symbol itself is more commonly called the "hang loose" sign rather than the "Shaka" sign. It is also used to convey what locals in Hawai’i call the "Aloha Spirit," a gesture of friendship and understanding between the various ethnic cultures that reside within Hawai’i. It can also be used to signal a "hello", "goodbye", " ’till next time", "take care", "Alright!" In sign language, the shaka is one of the two signs used to refer to surfing.

One theory according to the Honolulu Star-Bulletin, prevailing local lore credited the gesture to Hamana Kalili of Laie, who lost the three middle fingers of his right hand while working at the Kahuku Sugar Mill. Kalili was then shifted to guarding the sugar train, and his all-clear wave of thumb and pinkie is said to have evolved over the years into the "shaka". This story is also told by the Polynesian Cultural Center.

The shaka sign was popularized among locals in Hawaii through its use by second-hand car salesman, Lippy Espinda, in his television commercials which were broadcast throughout the state in the 1960s. It was adopted as a salutation of friendship by the local culture at large from then on.

Little is known about the Laie origin of this local gesture. A large Hawaiian man by the name of Hamana Kalili lost the index, middle and ring finger of his right hand from an accident at the Laie sugar plantation. He was well-known to everyone in this quiet Mormon town. When Hamana conducted church services on Sunday, one would only notice the thumb and little finger.

The children would imitate Hamana by bending their index, middle and ring fingers and say, "right on." Through Laie’s children, this sign spread. A local car salesman, Lippy Espinda, used it in his TV commercials. It gained state-wide popularity when Frank Fasi used it while campaigning for Mayor of Honolulu in the early seventies.

Random shaka photos

more random howzit sign photos

Also be sure to check out the story (Army restricts use of shakas in Iraq)