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Hawaii is about to make the 'shaka' its official state gesture

LEILA FADEL, HOST:

Good morning. I'm Leila Fadel. Hawaii already has a great state dance, the hula, and an awesome state sport, surfing. So why not have a state gesture? Lawmakers in the 50th state recently passed a bill recognizing the shaka - you know, the hang-loose sign? - as Hawaiian in origin. It's super easy to do. Just stick your thumb and pinky finger out to each side and curl your other fingers down. Hawaiians use it to say hello, goodbye, thank you, and aloha.

It's MORNING EDITION. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.

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