Kahuku, Oahu, Hawaii: Where The Shaka Was Invented

Outdoor displays of a long-gone sugar mill include a wooden statue of Hamana Kalili giving the shaka or "hang loose" hand sign, which he invented after the mill crushed his fingers.

Kahuku Sugar Mill

Address:: 56-565 Kamehameha Hwy, Kahuku, Oahu, HI
Directions:: Kahuku Sugar Mill. North side of the island, west edge of town. From HI-83/Kamehameha Hwy turn north at the gas station and flagpoles. You'll see the Sugar Mill displays straight ahead.
Hours:: Dawn-dusk (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access.
Phone:: 808-293-8747
RA Rates:: Worth a Detour

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Where The Shaka Was Invented

Statue missing! Imprint on ground still visible. Employees unaware that Shaka Man is gone. Presumed stolen!

[Brent K, 01/01/2022]

The statue was removed (not stolen) earlier in 2021. It was carved out of wood in 2016 and endured five years of tropical heat and humidity. We don't know if the statue is under repair or if it will return.

Hamana Kalili giving the shaka sign.

Kahuku Sugar Mill

Driving King Kamehameha Highway around the north coast, I noticed this town with a sugar cane history. The carved statues out front tell the story.

[Clark W, 02/15/2020]

One of the statues is of Hamana Kalili giving the shaka, or "hang loose" hand sign, which he invented after having his three middle fingers crushed to pulp in the mill.