Hamana Kalili
Statue
A tribute to the man behind Hawaii's most iconic gesture. Standing guard at the Hukilau Marketplace, Hamana Kalili's story is one of resilience and the Aloha Spirit.
The Man & The Symbol
The Sculpture
This imposing bronze figure stands at the entrance to the Hukilau Marketplace. Sculpted by Leroy Transfield, it honors Hamana Kalili, a community leader and the originator of the "shaka."
Origin of the Shaka
Kalili lost three middle fingers in a sugar mill accident. Reassigned to security on the sugar cane train, he would wave his unique hand (thumb and pinky extended) to signal "all clear."
Visitor Information
Location
Polynesian Cultural Center
55-370 Kamehameha Hwy, Laie, HI. Found at the Hukilau Marketplace entrance.
Significance
A tribute to the inadvertent creator of the "hang loose" sign, rooting the gesture in local industrial history.
Access
Publicly accessible with free admission. No ticket to the main PCC attraction is required to view the statue.
Visit the Marketplace
Celebrating the spirit of Aloha in Lāʻie. Stop by the Hukilau Marketplace to pay your respects.
Get DirectionsHistory & Background
The shaka sign — a hand gesture made by extending the thumb and pinky finger while curling the three middle fingers — is one of the most universally recognized symbols of Hawaiian culture. It conveys a spirit of aloha, friendliness, and the laid-back "hang loose" attitude associated with island life. The gesture is used by locals and visitors alike as a greeting, a thank-you on the road, or simply an expression of goodwill.
Hamana Kalili is credited in Laie, Oahu, as the originator of the modern shaka sign. According to local tradition, Kalili worked at the Kahuku Sugar Mill and lost three middle fingers of one hand in a mill accident. Despite the injury, he continued working as a guard and would wave at passing sugar train cars with his distinctive three-fingered hand, which locals began to imitate. The gesture spread throughout Oahu and eventually across all of Hawaii and beyond.
The statue honoring Kalili and the shaka stands in Laie on Oahu's north shore, in the community where he lived and worked. Laie is home to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Hawaii campus (BYU-Hawaii) and the Polynesian Cultural Center, and it maintains a strong community identity rooted in faith, service, and cultural pride. The statue celebrates both Kalili as a local figure and the broader cultural phenomenon his gesture became — one that is now recognized from Hawaii to mainland surf culture worldwide.
Nearby Attractions
Polynesian Cultural Center
Located in Laie, the Polynesian Cultural Center is one of the most visited paid attractions in Hawaii. It presents the cultures of Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Aotearoa (New Zealand), Tahiti, Hawaii, and other Pacific nations through live demonstrations, performances, and interactive village exhibits. The center is operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and employs many BYU-Hawaii students from Pacific Island nations.
Laie Point State Wayside
A short drive from the town center, Laie Point is a dramatic basalt promontory jutting into the Pacific with views of offshore islets — including one with a natural sea arch. The point is a popular spot for shore fishing, photography, and watching cliff jumpers on calm days. Sunrise here is striking, with the coast of Oahu's north shore stretching in both directions.
Malaekahana State Recreation Area
Just south of Laie, this state park offers a long, uncrowded beach backed by ironwood trees, with views of Goat Island (Mokuauia) — a small seabird sanctuary accessible by wading at low tide in calm conditions. Camping is permitted with a state permit. The park represents the quieter, more local character of Oahu's north shore between the famous surf breaks.