Polynesian Paralysis

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Polynesian Paralysis

The Hawaiian approach to time has been called “Polynesian paralysis”, a term meaning people will get to where they need to go and do what needs to be done in good time. Gone are the haste, anxiety and impatience that make the rest of the world sick and frantic. In Hawaii, life is a little slower than in most mainland states and locals love the islands for this more relaxed state. An article written in 1966 and published in TIME describes Polynesian paralysis as a "pleasant affliction" because "everything in Hawaii seems to be soft and warm—the air, the ocean, the sand, the music and the people." Polynesian paralysis involves the ability to simply be still and listen to your heartbeat, to stop and observe a beautiful rainbow or to watch the whales dance with the ocean. Polynesian paralysis results in making observation, appreciation and relaxation a priority instead of getting to a destination on time.

Fashion model, Marie Helvin, was raised in Hawaii and she experienced Polynesian paralysis in the 1960s as feeling isolated on an island in the middle of the Pacific. She and others often wondered "When are we going to get off this rock?" The Honolulu Weekly published an article in 1991 by journalist Derek Davies which describes Polynesian paralysis as equivalent to falling beneath the spell of Aloha or suffused with general bonhomie toward others.

Medical References to Polynesian Paralysis

There is no reference to Polynesian paralysis on the Center for Disease Control (CDC) website because Polynesian paralysis is not a disease or medical condition. Polynesian paralysis is usually referred to a mental state with symptoms of happiness, relaxation, euphoria, and a deep sense of meaning and contentment.

Between 1949 and 1986, Robert C. Schmitt authored more than 17 articles in the Hawaii Medical Journal (now the Hawaiʻi Journal of Health & Social Welfare). In the November 1995 issue of the Hawaii Medicall Journal, he relates Polynesin paralysis to "lotus-eating". A Lotus eater generally refers to a person who leads a life of dreamy, indolent ease, indifferent to the busy world; a daydreamer. He concludes his article noting that life expectancy in Hawaii is the highest of any of the 50 states. In a recent article by Travel and Leisure, the author states that Hawaii continues to have the longest life expectancy in America and is considered one of the healthiest states in the USA. The Travel and Leisure article references a study published in the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) that found the average life expectancy for a Hawaiian from birth is the longest in the country. Hawaiians also have one of the lowest rates of depression in the country as well.

Polynesian Paralysis Pills

In 2020, Rx Aloha in Kahului Hawaii began to market sugar candy pills as Polynesian Paralysis Pills (tm). These pills have no chemicals or medicinal ingredients, but are recommended to be taken twice daily to get a daily dose of Aloha. RX Aloha also uses "Less Stress . . . More Aloha" (tm) and "Get Your Daily Dose Of Aloha" (tm) in their marking campaigns.

Polynesian Paralysis Drinks

There are several cocktail drinks called Polynesian Paralysis. Most contain rum or the ancient Hawaiian alcohol okolehao. Jeff "Beachbum" Berry is a mixologist who has invented and published many of his own cocktail recipes over the years. One of his signature drinks is called the Polynesian Paralysis and includes 3 oz. okolehao, 3 oz. orange juice, 3 oz. unsweetened pineapple juice, and 3/4 oz. lemon juice along with orgeat syrup and other sweeteners blended with crushed ice. Author H. Allen Smith wrote a book in 1960 entitled Waikiki Beachnik that Polynesian paralysis included symptoms of a "desire not to work or do anything that requires any physical or mental efforts"

Polynesian Paralysis Music

The University of Washington Husky marching band play a rousing rendition of “Polynesian Paralysis.” A Youtube video posted on September 19, 2019 shows the band performing "Polynesian Paralysis".

Polynesian Paralysis Food

Da Kitchen was established in 1998 in Maui and serves creative diverse cuisine with an emphasis on traditional Hawaiian foods. Da Kitchen has been featured on the Travel Channel Bizarre Food Show, Man vs. Food, and The Food Network Diners. Da Kitchen has 2 locations in Maui in both Kihei and Kahului. Da Kitchen serves a local dish called Polynesian Paralsis which contains fish tempura, kaula pork, two eggs, onions and mushrooms with brown gravy over fried rice. One review on YELP stated "Polynesian paralysis moco - now this.....was soooo good. Like omg good, the kalua pork was smoky and flavorful, the fish tempura was crunchy and the fish was soft, the pork fried rice was perfect, eggs, gravy, onions, everything!!! … I think this is better than the Notorious BIG Moco. This one has better and unique flavors."

Polynesian Paralysis

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