Word of the week: Shaka 🤙

The shaka sign 🤙—thumb and pinky extended, middle fingers folded—is a gesture widely used in surf culture, but its roots run deeper than just wave riding. It’s Hawaiian in origin and predates modern surfing altogether.

🌺 The origin story

The most widely accepted version traces the shaka back to a Hawaiian man named Hamana Kalili, from Laie on Oʻahu, in the early 1900s.

Hamana lost the three middle fingers of his right hand in a sugar mill accident. When he waved to local kids with his unique hand shape, they started copying him — as kids do.

What started as a simple wave evolved over time into a symbol of greeting, gratitude, and good vibes.

🌊 From Hamana to the lineup

As surfing grew in Hawaii and then globally throughout the mid-20th century, surfers adopted the shaka as part of the aloha spirit. It became a kind of silent surf shorthand for:

• “It’s all good” 😎
• “Thanks” 🙏
• “Hello” 👋
• “Catch you in the water” 🌊

⚠️ Not to be confused with…

Don’t mix up the shaka with the sign of the horns 🤘 (index and pinky extended, middle and ring held down). That one has a whole different vibe—traditionally used to ward off evil spirits, summon metal bands, or both. 😈🎸