Ku Gods Return

http://www.starbulletin.com/news/20100604_Gathering_of_the_gods.html?mobile=true

Headress of lightning, large squinting eyes, flared nostrils, infinity grin/grimaced mouths, muscled arms, cupped hands, bent knees. Ku!

A large image from the British Museum (central) and another from the Peabody Essex museum (right) reunited with the Bishop Museum one (left). They are carved in the "Kona" style, a style assumed to have arose after the advent of metal and contact with the european. It could have been carved by the same person because they are of the same style. They were carved of ʻulu or breadfruit and not ʻohiʻa as we would suppose. This would make sense since the Peabody records state that the image was a "god of medicine". It probably came from ʻAhuʻena since Kamehameha rededicated it to healing after his surviving a scourge. The others may have come from Hale o Keawe. The British Museumʻs back is also carved (the headdress/hair). Spectacular.
You cannot help but be in awe seeing them together.
Noelle Kahanu of Bishop Museum shared in a symposium after that the theme of the exhibit, "E ku ana ka paia" (taken from prophecy of Kapihe) came to be a rallying call for unification and hence its applicability to the unification of the statues. However, I think it also refers to the unificaiton of Hawaiians. She shares a beautiful story of master carver Rocky Jensen, Sam Kaʻai, and Keone Nunes sitting a talking before the images as if (my interpretation), they were family at a reunion. Previous to the symposium , at the opening, 3 halau united in hula pahu. The hula: Kaulilua, A Koʻolau, and Auaʻa ʻia blended well and also "spoke" to this theme of unification: in chant and in action. The ending hula, Ulei Pahu, says, "A he mea, a he mea ʻoe!" You have become someone of worth! Pololei.
HOw do we know they are ku images? The Peabody curator says that their records indicate that theirs is a "god of medicine". If that is true then the ku images are not the war god , Ku, as the British Museum has written as a description. If this is is Ku the god of reconcilliation and healing then their unification is even more significant for us Hawaiians.

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.