chicken skin

"Chicken skin" is the universal local term for goosebumps, used by everyone in Hawaii from young kids to kupuna. It is most commonly used when talking about ghost stories, feeling cold after getting out of the ocean, or experiencing a deeply moving moment, like hearing a beautiful falsetto song. While it is perfectly appropriate for all ages and settings, it is deeply tied to Hawaii's rich tradition of oral storytelling and the supernatural. You'll often hear locals say "I get chicken skin" rather than "I have goosebumps," making it an essential phrase for anyone spending time in the islands.

We was all sitting around the fire pit down at K Bay, roasting hot dogs and listening to Uncle Kimo play his guitar. The sun went down a long time ago, and the ocean breeze was starting to pick up, making the kiawe trees rustle in the dark. That’s when he put the guitar down and started telling us about the Night Marchers he saw up in the valley when he was a kid.

He described the sound of the drums getting louder and the smell of the torches burning in the mist. Just listening to him talk, I looked down at my arms and realized I had major chicken skin. Even the tough guys in the group got quiet, staring into the fire and pulling their hoodies a little tighter.