Shaka sign Information & Shaka sign Links at HealthHaven.com

The "shaka" sign is a common greeting in surfer culture.

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.

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.

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).

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.

[edit] Origin

One theory according to the Honolulu Star-Bulletin,^[1] 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.^[2]

[edit] Pop culture sightings

Pro wrestler Crush used the shaka sign as part of his Hawaiian gimmick in the World Wrestling Federation from 1992-1993.

US President Barack Obama was seen making the shaka sign on his inauguration day.^[3]

Shane Victorino, the Hawaiian baseball player who plays center field for the Philadelphia Phillies, customarily makes the Shaka sign as he rounds third base after he hits a home run. During the 2009 season, the team started selling foam "We're Number 1" fingers in the shape of the shaka sign at their home ballpark. The fingers say "Flyin' Hawaiian" on them, which is his nickname due to his speed on the basepaths.

The Shaka is regularly displayed by practitioners of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

[edit] References

[0] Honolulu Star-Bulletin Hawaii News

[1] The Hukilau Store

[2] Obama making shaka sign

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