Kamaʻāina

A Kamaʻāina by Grace Hudson

Kamaʻāina (Hawaiian: kamaʻāina, lit. 'child or person of the land'[1]) is a word describing Hawaii residents regardless of their racial background, as opposed to kanaka which means a person of Native Hawaiian ancestry. A kamaʻāina may be considered to be someone who lives in Hawaii, or may be expanded to include people who once lived there but have moved away.

There is a statewide job placement program, founded in 1998 and sponsored by the Hawaii Island Economic Development Board, called "Kamaʻaina Come Home". The initiative is intended to increase the state's labor pool by inducing Hawaii college students and former residents who are now living in the continental United States to return to Hawaii.[2] 

Many businesses in Hawaii offer a "Kamaʻāina rate", an often sizable discount given to local residents. These rates are offered primarily at restaurants, hotels, and tourist attractions.[3] Merchants generally offer these "Kamaʻāina discounts" to anyone with a local ID, such as a Hawaii driver's license or local military ID.[4]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Pukui & Elbert, New Pocket Hawaiian Dictionary (University of Hawaii Press, 1975, 1992); Mary Kawena Pukui; Samuel Hoyt Elbert (2003). "lookup of kamaʻāina". in Hawaiian Dictionary. Ulukau, the Hawaiian Electronic Library, University of Hawaii Press.
  2. ^ "Kama'aina Come Home". wonemintech.com. Retrieved 4 July 2021.
  3. ^ "Web Exclusive: Kamaaina Summer Discounts". 25 May 2010. Retrieved 26 December 2015.
  4. ^ Love, Kelsey (8 January 2015). "Best Kama'aina Deals On Maui". Maui information guide. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
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