The "shaka" is a hand gesture popularized in Hawai'i in the early 1900s that grew to symbolize the aloha spirit locally and eventually evolved into the "hang loose" gesture of international surf culture. In Hawai'i the shaka is used to express friendly greeting, gratitude, thank you, encouragement, and unity. No matter where you see the shaka, it expresses itself as a force for positivity, friendliness, and happiness, similar to the peace sign in appeal, but with the unique flavor of Hawaii's amazing and unique culture.