Nū Hou - Newsbriefs

By Ka Wai Ola Staff

Kanaka'ole, Zane honored by Duke's

Nālani Kanaka'ole and Sig Zane received the 2009 Ho'okahiko Award by Duke's Waikı¯kı¯ March 19. Kanaka'ole was honored for continuing the hula, while Zane was recognized for maintaining Hawaiian values and cultures through his clothing designs. Kanaka'ole is a kumu of Hilo's Hālau O Kekuhi, and artistic director of the Edith Kanaka'ole Foundation. She is a judge at the Merrie Monarch Festival and teaches Hawaiian studies at Hawai'i Community College. Zane's clothing line draws inspiration from native flora and fauna, and the fabric is printed and cut by hand. After growing in popularity, Sig Zane Designs opened a store in Hilo in 1985. This Award honors those who live and exemplify the traditions of aloha. - Photo: Courtesy Duke's Waikı¯kı¯

Gambling issues in Akaka Bill clarified

Hawai'i's congressional delegation – U.S. Sens. Daniel Akaka and Daniel Inouye and Reps. Neil Abercrombie and Mazie Hirono – introduced a slightly modified version of the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act, also known as the Akaka Bill, on March 25. The modified bill clarifies that gambling will not be permitted under a Native Hawaiian Governing Entity, in accordance with Hawai'i state law. "As an indigenous people that exercised governance until the U.S. overthrow, Native Hawaiians deserve the same opportunity to preserve their culture, language and traditions as indigenous people on the mainland. This change in the legislation should make the bill's intent clear and remove any distractions from its thoughtful consideration," the congressional delegation said in a joint statement. Other than the gambling clarification, the bill is identical to the one introduced in February.

Volcanoes park seeking input

The Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park will be hosting open house sessions across Hawai'i to gather public input on a process to develop a general management plan for the park for the next 20 years. The planning document guiding the park now is 30 years old. Since that plan was completed, the park acquired 116,000 acres, has seen an increased number of visitors and has experienced numerous volcanic eruptions – including the one that over-ran Kalapana. The open houses are schedule for:

Hawai'i

• April 26: Cooper Center Farmer's Market, Volcano Village, 6:30-9 a.m.
• April 26: Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium, Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
• April 27: Aunty Sally Kaleohano's Lū'au Hale, Hilo, 5-8 p.m.
• April 28: Nā'ālehu Community Center, Nā'ālehu, 5-8 p.m.
• April 29: Keauhou Beach Resort, Kona, 5-8 p.m.

Maui

• May 1: Maui Community College, Kahului, 3-7 p.m.

O'ahu

• April 30: East-West Center, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, 5-8 p.m.

For more information or to submit comments online, visit nps.gov/havo/parkmgmt/plan.htm. To add your name to the plan mailing list and receive the newsletter, call Park Planner Lora Gale at 808-985-6303.

Asam named Lunalilo Home interim director

Dr. J. Kuhio Asam was named interim executive director of Lunalilo Home, an elder care home in Hawai'i Kai, O'ahu, on March 23. Asam was the medical director of APS Healthcare Hawai'i from 2002 to 2008, and before that medical director of Kahi Mohala. He is a graduate of Kamehameha Schools, Yale University and the John A. Burns School of Medicine at UH Mānoa. He serves as trustee for the University of Hawai'i Foundation and Hanahau'oli School and on the boards of Kahi Mohala, 'Ahahui O Nā Kauka and the Mental Health Association. Lunalilo Home was established in 1883 under ali'i William Charles Lunalilo's will to care for elderly Hawaiians. The home moved to its current site in Hawai'i Kai in 1927. For more information see lunalilo.org.

'Alae 'ula hatch at Waimea Valley

Three 'alae 'ula chicks hatched at Waimea Valley, O'ahu, last month, adding to an endangered population of less than 1,000. In the legend of Māui, the endemic 'alae 'ula was said to have held the secret of fire from humans, revealing it only when the demigod Māui attempted to strangle the bird. As punishment, Māui burned the 'alae 'ula with coals from the fire, hence the 'alae 'ula's red-colored shield on its forehead. The 1,000 'alae 'ula living today are spread between wetland habitats on O'ahu and Kaua'i. - Photo: Courtesy of Waimea Valley

Natural-building workshops

Seven Generations Natural Builders will collaborate with MA'O Organic Farms in Wai'anae, O'ahu, for a natural-building workshop series to teach the fundamentals of earth construction, timber-framing, natural plasters and more, particularly as they apply to subtropical and tropical environments. Students will participate in building an extensive courtyard that includes outdoor classrooms, a kitchen, bread oven and a food-prep area.

Classes are: April 4-10, Introduction to Cob and Natural Building, $650; April 25-26 Natural Building Weekend, $200; May 16-24, Timber Framing and Natural Building; $1,100. Discounts are available for students who enroll in multiple courses. No one will be turned away for lack of funds – sliding scale and work trade opportunities are available.

The workshops are supported in part by OHA and the Administration for Native Americans. Natural building is based on a philosophy that values social and environmental sustainability. MA'O is the largest organic grower on O'ahu and provides educational and social entrepreneurial opportunities for Wai'anae youth.

For workshop information, email tim@sgnb.com or visit sgnb.com.

Celebrating native species through art

Entries are being sought throughout May for Hawai'i Nei, a juried art exhibition at the Volcano Art Center's gallery in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park that will run June 13 to Aug. 2. The exhibition is open to all residents of Hawai'i Island, amateur and professional of all ages. Entries should be original works celebrating native plants, animals or landscapes from ridge to reef on the island. Prizes include dinner for two at Kīlauea Lodge, an eco-tour with Hawai'i Forest and Trail, a family membership at 'Imiloa Astronomy Center, a membership to Volcano Art Center and gift certificates from local businesses. Hawai'i Nei is presented by the Natural Area Reserves System of the Department of Land and Natural Resources, the Volcano Art Center Gallery and the Three Mountain Alliance watershed partnership. For more information, contact coordinator Colleen Cole at 808-333-7741 or tcolleencole@gmail.com, or visit volcanoartcenter.org.

HOEA update

HOEA: Hawaiian 'Ohana for Education in the Arts, is literally a project whose "time has come," as suggested by the kaona of its name. It will open its doors on May 25 on the grounds of Hawai'i Preparatory Academy in Waimea, North Hawai'i.

HOEA announces its full roster of instructors for this new Hawaiian school of fine arts for adult emerging artists. Big Island instructors for the Hana Kapa Studio include the mother-daughter team of Marie McDonald and Roen Hufford; Teresa Reveira; and Joni Mae Makuakane-Jarrell. They will be joined by Sabra Kauka from Kaua'i and Mililani Hanapī from Moloka'i.

The Hana Kālai Lā'au Studio will be taught by O'ahu carvers Hanale Hopfe and the father-son team of Sol and Alani Apio. The Apios will focus on kapa-making implements and wood turning. Hopfe will teach wood and stone carving. Kala Willis from Keauhou, Hawai'i will conduct the kālai pahu niu, or coconut drum making portion of the course.

Noted Maori jewelry maker and sculptor, Stacy Gordine, will conduct the Jewelry Making Studio, which will feature creations in bone, shell, stone and metal.

Honolulu painter and printmaker Harinani Orme will offer a course called the Printmaking Studio, which will cover monotype, dry point and relief printing.

HOEA is also pleased to announce that its "Business of Art" workshops will be conducted by former Hawai'i resident Dr. Herman Pi'ikea Clark, senior lecturer at Te Uru Maraurau: School of Maori and Multicultural Education. These financial literacy and marketing skills workshops are scheduled in June at four areas of the Big Island: Waimea, Kona, Ka'ū and Hilo.

Hilo resident Lehua Waipa Ah-Nee has been hired as the project's professional photographer.

For information and registration for the Studio Program and workshops, call the HOEA Office at 808-885-6541 or visit its web site at khf-hoea.org.

Murata scholarship accepting applications

The Hawai'i Academy of Recording Arts is accepting applications through May 15 for the Bill Murata Memorial Scholarship. The $3,000 scholarship will be awarded to two college sophomores or higher attending a school in Hawai'i. Awardees will have demonstrated interest and concentration in Hawaiian music, the music of Hawai'i, or Hawaiian poetry. The scholarships will be awarded at the 32nd annual Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards, June 9 at the Sheraton Waikīkī. Applications, including all the requirements, may be downloaded from the HARA web site at nahokuhanohano.org. For more information, call Bryson Ramos at 593-9424 or Lea Uehara at 941-8751.

To our readers

Ka Wai Ola is happy to announce that we are expanding with a midmonth, web only edition. This month will mark the official launch of Ka Wai Ola Loa,"loa," as in an "extra," "additional" Ka Wai Ola every month.

Like our monthly paper, this web-only edition will cover a vast range of stories and issues that are of great interest to the Hawaiian community. As its name implies, Ka Wai Ola Loa will give us a chance to increase our news, features and community coverage. And we hope the community will also take part by contributing articles on issues and activities that are important to you.

Future issues of Ka Wai Ola Loa will also feature a column to answer beneficiary questions and concerns. If you have a question or problem for us to tackle, write to webmaster@oha.org and we'll consider your question for publication in a future edition of Ka Wai Ola Loa.

Ka Wai Ola Loa is sent to subscribers via e-mail. To subscribe, visit oha.org.We hope you will enjoy reading it as much as we enjoy bringing it to you. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, write to webmaster@oha.org.

Mahalo,

Ka Wai Ola Staff