We unearthed Hawaii’s roots.

Everybody knows and loves Hawaii. But Millennials were choosing to spend their vacations traveling to more exotic destinations, drawn to storied cultures and enriching experiences. For these avid explorers, Hawaii was merely a beach getaway with a culture consisting of tiki torches and resort hula shows.

The culture of the Hawaiian Islands is unlike any other. The most isolated archipelago in the world has developed a truly unique and fascinating culture rooted in Native Hawaiian and local traditions. Those unexpected stories of Hawaii’s heritage needed to be told—by the people that kept them alive.

We launched a series of online videos called, “Hawaii Rooted.” These videos spanned six islands and told the fascinating stories of people who were keeping Hawaii’s local culture and customs alive. From a traditional surfboard maker to an oceanic navigator, these stories shared a vision of Hawaii that few have ever seen before. More importantly, they showed avid travelers that Hawaii is a locale full of deeper experiences – both iconic and unexpected – that exceed destinations from around the world.

Alexandra Jardine, UK Correspondent, Ad Age