Food Sovereignty

Outside of the CNHA convention hall were two unobtrusive but powerful statements. The first was a poi board (not seen and overturned) with the inscription of Queen Lili'uokalani's statement to temporarily place the Hawaiian government in US "hands" pending an appeal. She did this to avoid bloodshed.

The second statement is by Daniel Anthony. His goal is to feed the Hawaiian people the "food of the land" which is poi. He emphasizes this by pounding kalo throughout the three days and doing so clad only in his pü'ali. That is true Food Sovereignty!

Hawaiian Convention

Here are the works of my two new favorite Hawaiian artists along w/ my dear friend, Ipo Nihipali's AWESOME and MANA-FULL painting of Waimea Valley.

Ipo Nihihapali's MANAFULL painting of Waimea Valley

The 8th Annual Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA) held their conference at the Hawai'i Convention Center. Many prominent Hawaiian leaders and workers were there along with Alaska Native and other Native American leaders to share and brainstorm ideas to advance the Hawaiian social, economic, political and cultural agenda. Representatives from the Obama administration were also there. Artists put on the Maoli Arts exhibition in a large convention room. Awesome.

Illegal Overthrowal of Hawai'i's Kingdom

Went on traveling theatre reacting the days preceeding the illegal overthrowal of Hawai'i's legitimate government. Presented by Hawai'i Pono'ï Coalition. Also provided was a map showing old Honolulu - "The positioning suggests the Hawaiian troops were more favorably located to protect American lives and property than were the U.S. troops." You can easily discern the ruse devised by so-called "Committee of Safety" in cahoots w/ American Minister Stevens. Timeline also presented w/ list of resources so participants can check out the facts of story such as : 1) The Queen's strict adherence to the letter of law and the Hawaiian Constitution; 2) The affection and support of the Asian population for the Queen because of their being treated as true citizens; 3) The true support of the Hawaiians to change the Bayonet Constitution. As the Hawaiian constitution is iterated one scenario, I came away with the thought that the likes of Thurston and Dole, who were sworn citizens of Hawai'i, were really traitors to the realm and it is the legitimacy of their action to form a new government which should be questioned. Seriously.

Kona Kids Learn Hei

Students from Aloha Victor’s Hālau Kala‘akeakauikawekiu of Kona learn hei (string figures) from Miki‘ala Kanekoa, a kumu hula friend of ours and teacher at Kapolei High School. The Hālau is also learning from Elder Punihaole. They also learn pala'ie, a Hawaiian ball and loop game.
Beautiful footage of Kona!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWMBqzrjZVw

String Figure Epiphany

The ephiphany - A teacher realizes how his favorite pastime, string games (Cat's Cradle), can help to teach keyboarding. And good keyboarding is the key to writing fluency, empowering students to use their own voice (Spanish). The Youtube video shows many old photos of native Americans performing complex and beautiful string figures.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I60rxeIAYvE&feature=related

Maori Master of Whai (Hei/string figure creation)

Mäori Master of Whai, Toby Rikihana, demonstrates some Maori string igures onQuicktime video . See link. His "Te Rua Kümara" or Sweet Potato Pit is made the same way in Hawai'i but it is called "Ka Lua o Pele" or "The Pit of Pele" and his "Whare Kehua" is our "Mauna" or "Hale Lehua". He demonstrates how to make "Tohorä" which is "Koholä" in Hawaiian, however, the same figure is called "Palaoa" which are beaked whales. Koholä refers to the Humpback whale. What was also intriguing is some of the openings and construction techniques which are also very similar in Hawaiian yet we derive different images. For example, we begin 'Te Pae Tūī' me 'Te Pae Kākā' opening moves create sweet potatoe, a canoe, a sled, and a lasso. Very interesting stuff for string figure nerds. Koro Rikihana narrates in both Mäori and English.

The other link features an article on Kwatkiutl Native American string figures. The Kwatkiutl live along the Northwest coast of North America and are well known for their totem poles, elaborate wooden masks, and grand Potlatches. One of the authors, Julia Ayerkieva, says that "The Kwatkiutl string figures also bear resemblance to those of Hawai'i."

Muscle Memory and Hei

How is it that after many years he could remember the string figure? I was amazed because he let his fingers take control and in no time he performed 7-eyes the Hawaiian way. In talking later about the phenomenon, he said that his Chinese grandmother taught him while they sat on the länai/porch having no t.v. or other kind of modern detractor in those days. He also learned knife techniques! Who is this person?

Hawaiian Wise Saying -Little work, little gain.

1. ‘U‘uku ka hana, ‘u‘uku ka loa‘a. Little work, little gain. There are many wise sayings dealing with the value of hard work. Many are rooted in routine activities of the Hawaiians of old such as involving the harvesting of ‘ulu, “’A’ole loa’a ka ‘ulu i ka pökole o ka lou” meaning, “The breadfruit cannot be gotten with a short hook”. Or how about, “’Ohi ka manu o ke ao” which means “the bird of the day reaps its rewards”, here referring to the ua’u bird which catches its meal each day. In today’s ‘ölelo no’eau, ‘u’uku is a word for very little. ‘U‘uku ka hana, ‘u‘uku ka loa‘a. Little work, little gain.

Bishop Museum Hawaiian Hall - Master Artisans

( pictures of master artisans: Ipo Vaughan’s lauhala box; Kana‘e Keawe’s pahu (drum);Paulette Kahalepuna w/ a modern rendition of an ‘ahu‘ula/Hawaiian cape; Paulette Kahelpuna's feather lei.)

Upon entering the museum, one comes into the MAMO Exhibition featuring the works of contemporary Hawaiian artists. Aunty Mary Lou Kekuewa’s family cape and Aunty Gussie Bento’s beautiful kapa kuiki (Hawaiian quilt) immediately grabbed my attention. An Uncle Kawika Parker’s painting also attracted my admiration. I need to go back and spend time there. Outside on the museum grounds, master craftsmen and artisans displayed their talent.

Upon entering Hawaiian Hall proper one’s sensations are struck by beautiful sounds and the feeling of entering Hawai‘i kahiko. Gazing to my right I saw the beautiful Kumulipo panels, I believe, of the late Brother Carl Pao. The style is distinctively his but I could not get up close to see the titling. Center stage of that is David Kalama’s* video masterpiece . I just wanted to sit and relax to the sound of waves running over ‘ili‘ili but the procession wins around the stage and refurbished Hale Pili, beautifully restored by Pömaika‘i Crozier with the help of students from Farrington High School.
The bottom floor reflects the origins of our Hawaiian people and hence much is dedicated to the gods Kāne, Kū, and Lono. I did not see a display to Kanaloa but the whole floor respesents his realm. In addition to the restored palaoa/whale hanging above, there are also other sea creatures of Kanaloa such as hīhīmanu and fish.

*There are 2 David Kalama videographers. This David Kalama is of “‘Onipa‘a” acclaim.

Bishop Museum Reopens Hawaiian Hall

This Saturday, August 8th, marked the formal, ceremonial reopening of Hawaiian Hall at the Bishop Museum. It began at 7am with chanting at the Bernice Street gate. Assembled in solemn procession were dignitaries accompanied by beautiful, multi-colored kāhili of various shapes and sizes, my favorite being the peacock feathered one. Following them were the royal benevolent societies: Royal Order of Kamehameha; ‘Ahahui Ka‘ahumanu; Hale o Nā Ali‘i o Hawai‘i; and ‘Ahahui Māmakakaua all dressed in their splendid regalia. As the chanting cantillated over the fields of Kaiwi‘ula, members of the warrior group, Pā Ku‘ialua, flanked the procession. It was an awesome site reminiscent of the Huaka‘i aloali‘i (royal entourage) of old.
After circuiting the grounds and museum proper, the procession seated themselves in front of the grand entry festooned in lei of fern and flowers. Beautiful floral kāhili of fern and yellow orchids also decorated the staging area. Manu Boyd officiated and narrated the welcome which included a message from the Honorable Neil Abercrombie, U.S. Congressman and a message from the Honorable Senator Daniel Akaka through his son, Kaniala Akaka of Moku o Keawe. Bishop Museum CEO, Tim Johns, welcomed the assembly saying “We believe the re-opening of the hall to be a present day tribute to both the glorious past and future of the Hawaiian people." Also one of the architects spoke. Ralph Appelbaum Associates of New York and Hawai‘i based Mason Architects and Health Construction Services were responsible for planning, design, and construction.