Hawaiian String Figure Making Continues

A participant in Hana Hei II shows pride in her first attempt at hei (string figure making). She shows the classic Hawaiian hei figure, "Halekumuka'aha" , a house figure, which is created with a doubled string to show "strength and endurance". The opening move is unlike other symmetrical openings which posed a problem for almost all participants. This workshop was a first at the Ka 'Aha Hula o Hälauaola: 3rd World Conference on Hula held at the Kamehameha Schools this entire week.

Hana Hei at Hälauaola Conference

Julie Moana Boyd is exuberant at her first attempt at Hawaiian string figure making in my presentation at Hälauaola 2009. Here she makes 7 -eyes or "Nä Hiku o Makali'i". Julie is attending the 'Aha Hula o Hälauaola 2009: Worldwide Conference on Hula held this week of July at the Kamehameha Schools, Kapälama Campus. It is held every four years and features performances, cultural field trips, and presentations by noted composers, hula exponents, and Hawaiian cultural practitioners.

Hailama V.K.K. Farden Elevated to Iku Nahalani

Mr. Hailama Farden was recently elevated to the position of Iku Nahalani in Hale O Na Ali'i o Hawai'i at its annual convention in Maui, July 24 -26, 2009. He is pictured here outside of the convention hall with Kupuna Maria Artis, a retired president and one of the longest serving members at the convention having known four regents of the benevolent royal society. Hailama was invested with the cape of the Iku Nahalani which he is wearing by the current Regent, Prince Quentin Kawananakoa, to fill the vacancy left after the passing of our beloved Aunty Marge Kealanahele. It seems like Hailama is following in the footsteps of Gladys Ainoa Brandt, the longest serving Iku Nahalani in the organization. Aunty Gladys was a principal at the Kamehameha Schools, a long time educator, and Hailama is currently a vice-principal at the Kamehameha Schools, a former Hawaiian language teacher at his alma mater, and a former president of the 'Ahahui 'Olelo Hawai'i. In his role as Iku Nahalani, he is the highest ranking member of Hale o Na Ali'i o Hawai'i not of the Kawananakoa family and will serve as an advisor to the family and liaison between the Prince and seven halau/lodges/chapters of the society, all of whom are named for members of the Kawananakoa family: Chapter 1-Halau 'o Wahiika'ahu'ula (Honolulu) ; Chapter 2 - Halau 'o Kalakaua (Hilo); Chapter 3 - Halau 'o Kapi'olani (Kaua'i) ; Chapter 4 - Halau 'o Lili'uokalani (Maui) ; Chapter 5 - Halau 'o Kawananakoa (Moloka'i); Chapter 6 - Halau 'o Keli'iahonui (Waimea); and Chapter 7 - Halau 'o Po'omaikelani (Leeward O'ahu). Hailama joined the society at the age of 18 following the footsteps of his kupuna and is a member of Halau 'o Wahiika'ahu'ula as well as Halau 'o Lili'uokalani (Maui). He retired from the position of Iku Ha'i Nui whose main function is to act as the statewide president of the association. Ho'omaika'i! Na ke Akua e ho'oikaika, ho'oulu, ho'onui 'ike ia.