Nū Hou - Newsbriefs

By Ka Wai Ola Loa Staff

He Reo Aroha Kamehameha-Kapālama, May 1 Kamehameha Schools, The Charles T. and Beatrice Parrent Fund, and Ka'iwakīloumoku present He Reo Aroha, a musical based on traditional and contemporary Maori songs and love stories. From an early age Kaia had trained to sing, she was groomed for greatness. Pascoe sang, with his father, he was groomed to work on the fishing boats. When the teenagers meet at a high school party one warm summer's night, their voices create a love that remains with them for a lifetime. A moment where love is music, music is love. See Kali Kopae and Jamie McCaskill star in He Reo Aroha on May 1, 7 p.m. at the Ke'elikōlani Auditorium at the Kamehameha Schools Kapālama Campus. Admission is free. For more information contact Jamie Fong, Ka'iwakīloumoku Coordinator, at (808) 842-8655.

OHA hails Nā Wai 'Ehā recommendation

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs is hailing the recommendations of a hearings officer to the State Commission on Water Resource Management to restore tens of millions of gallons per day of water to Nā Wai 'Ehā, the four streams of West Maui: Waikapū, 'Īao and Waiehu Streams and Waihe'e River. These streams, which once supported extensive kalo cultivation, have been drained almost dry for more than a century by ditches that diverted the water to irrigate sugar plantations. In proceedings before the Water Commission, OHA joined with Hui O Nā Wai 'Ehā, Maui Tomorrow Foundation and the County of Maui Department of Water Supply in urging the Water Commission to restore mauka to makai flow in these streams in order to bring back native stream life and restore traditional and customary practices such as kalo cultivation that depend on flowing water. Following a lengthy administrative trial, at which testimony was heard from 77 witnesses over the course of several months, the Hearing Officer, Dr. Lawrence Miike, agreed. His 210-page proposed decision, which will now go to the full Water Commission for a vote, recommends that 34.5 million gallons per day be restored to the streams. "OHA has committed significant resources over the last five years in working with the community on our shared goals for Nā Wai 'Ehā," said OHA chair Haunani Apoliona. OHA's objectives in the matter are to ensure sufficient water for the kuleana users, year round stream flow from the summit of Pu'u Kukui to the ocean, and permanent protection of the watersheds from which the water flows. OHA Maui Trustee Boyd Mossman said, "Maui's water future will not be bright unless we mālama the streams we depend on," said OHA Maui trustee Boyd Mossman. "We hope the state government continues these efforts and this direction so that Hawaiians and all the people of Maui will be well-served."

Kalo security bill passes with amendments

A bill that would prohibit the development, testing, propagation, release, importation, planting, or growing of genetically engineered Hawaiian kalo was heard on the Senate floor and amended to resemble an earlier House draft, which also establishes prohibitions on genetically engineered non-Hawaiian kalo. The Taro Security Bill, House Bill 1663 HD1 SD2, addresses concerns about the possibility of cross-pollination of Hawaiian kalo with genetically modified non-Hawaiian kalo. The Senate Floor Amendments restore prohibitions from an earlier draft, which state that no non-Hawaiian kalo not unique to Hawai'i – including, but not limited to, the Chinese Bun long and araimo varieties – shall be genetically engineered outside an enclosed laboratory; no genetic engineering of non-Hawaiian kalo shall be allowed inside an enclosed laboratory unless entry into the enclosed laboratory is prohibited to the general public; no genetically engineered non-Hawaiian kalo shall be tested, propagated, planted, or grown outside an enclosed structure; and no genetically engineered non-Hawaiian kalo shall be tested, propagated, planted, or grown inside an enclosed structure, unless entry into the enclosed structure is prohibited to the general public.

Two panels in LA discuss Hawai'i statehood

As the 50th anniversary of Hawai'i statehood nears, the topic is in the spotlight at two events in Los Angeles, California. One involves kūpuna mixing memories of nostalgia with at times conflicting feelings 50 years later and the other involves five scholar/activists confronting "the myth of statehood".

In "Kaleponi Kūpuna on Hawai'i Statehood," kūpuna now living in California share their memories of statehood – and its ramifications for Hawaiians in areas like ceded lands, sovereignty and the return of Kaho'olawe – in a panel discussion that will air at 2 p.m. April 23 on 'Ōlelo NATV channel 53. The hourlong program, taped March 7 in Wilmington repeats at 1 p.m. April 24, 4:30 p.m. April 25 and 4 p.m. April 30. The seven panelists, some of whom were teens at the time of statehood in 1959, discuss how they voted, how their views changed since then and what they see for the future of Hawaiians. Moderated by Joel Jacinto of the advocacy group Search to Involve Pilipino Americans, the panel was organized by KA HĀ, or Kaleponi Advocates for Hawaiian Affairs, to start a dialog between the Native Hawaiian Community in California with those living in the Islands. The nonprofit coalition of community leaders aims in part to use its influence in California to help gain support for bills in Congress that are important to Native Hawaiians.

Also ahead is "Ho'opunipuni: The Myth of Statehood," a free video screening followed by a panel discussion on statehood and the complexity of Hawai'i's relationship with the United States in the world today. Panelists for the May 4 event from 6 to 10 p.m. at the National Center for the Preservation of Democracy in Los Angeles are: Dr. Kekuni Blaisdell, professor emeritus of medicine at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa and convener of Kanaka Maoli Tribunal Kōmike; Richard Falk, Princeton University professor emeritus of international law and practice and United Nations rapporteur in the occupied territories; Maivan Clech Lam, associate director and law professor at Ralph Bunche Institute for International Studies at City University of New York; Jon Kamakawiwo'ole Osorio, Ph.D., professor at the Kamakakūokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies at UH Mānoa; and Kūhiō Vogeler, Ph.D., political science at UH Mānoa.

Paul Kealoha Blake of East Bay Media Center will moderate. The event is sponsored by Visual Communications as part of its silver jubilee Asian Pacific Film Festival in Los Angeles, April 30 to May 7. Partners are KA HĀ and Statehood Hawai'i, a Honolulu-based nonprofit that promotes dialog on Hawai'i statehood. Statehood Hawai'i was also a partner in the kupuna roundtable.

For more information, visit statehoodhawaii.org.

Learn how to build 'green'

MA'O Organic Farms in Wai'anae, O'ahu, will host through June a series of natural-building workshops including cob building, timber framing, roundwood carpentry, lime and clay plastering, and designing and constructing a living "green" roof. Instructor Timothy Rieth, who has taught more than 400 students from Hawai'i to Thailand, leads the Paepae Kaiāulu workshop series designed to develop much-needed farm infrastructure, or paepae, and educate the community in alternative, sustainable building methods. Fees apply. Upcoming classes are:

• Natural-building weekend, April 25-26
• Timber framing, May 16-24
• Natural-building weekend, May 23-24
• Roundwood carpentry workshop, June 6-7
• Small-scale green roof construction and gardening, June 13
• Clay-plastering workshop, June 20-21
• Lime-plastering workshop, June 27-28

MA'O Organic Farms, O'ahu's largest commercial organic producer, works to impact out-of-school youth through Hawaiian culture and values, successful completion of a higher education and sustainable economic development in organic agriculture. The workshops are co-sponsored by OHA, the Wai'anae Community Re-Development Corp, MA'O Organic Farms and the Administration for Native Americans. For information or to register, visit sgnb.com or contact instructor Rieth of Seven Generations Natural Builders at tim@sgnb.com or (808) 696-5569.

Nāhoalike to celebrate music, hula in Honolulu

Hawaiian music and hula will take center stage at Nāhoalike, May 5 at 5 p.m. at Hawai'i Theatre in Honolulu, O'ahu. Performers are former Miss Aloha Hula Natalie Ai Kamau'u, the 2006 Nā Hōkū Hanohano female vocalist of the year, as well as her father, Howard Ai, who released his debut CD in 2008. Also performing are Michael Casupang and Karl Veto Baker – the kumu hula of Hālau I Ka Wēkiu who have three CDs to their name – and Holunape, which won two 2006 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards, the highly regarded Best Use of the Hawaiian Language award and Group of the Year. Tickets are $20-$25 and are available at the theatre box office, by calling (808) 528-0506, or online at hawaiitheatre.com.

Bishop Museum reducing operations

Effective May 1, Bishop Museum will be taking steps to reduce its expenses in light of the adverse economy. "With recent cuts in State funding, loss of income from investments, and a continued decline in non-resident visitors, the Museum must adjust to reduce its operating expenses," President and CEO Timothy Johns said. "Although the economic climate creates many uncertainties, we are committed to continuing to serve the community and provide world-class programs, research, and exhibits." The cuts will include closing Bishop Museum to the public each Tuesday, temporarily ceasing public operations at its Hawai'i Maritime Center, and a combination of layoffs and furlough of staff.

Hawaiian law certificate approved

On March 20, the faculty of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa's Richardson School of Law approved a Native Hawaiian Law Certificate. The new certificate will join the Environmental Law and Pacific Asial Legal Studies programs in offering certificates to law students beginning with the class of 2010. The certificate program is part of the law school's Ka Huli Ao Center for Excellence in Native Hawaiian Law. That news came the same day that the UH Board of Regents voted to amend the university's mission statement to recognize its unique responsibilities to the indigenous people of Hawaiʻi and to Hawaiʻi's language and culture. The mission statement now has specific language about increasing representation of Native Hawaiians at UH, providing for and supporting the use of the Hawaiian Language, and supporting the study of Hawaiian language, culture, and history throughout the UH system.

Queen's achieves magnet status

The Queen's Medical Center in Honolulu, O'ahu has been awarded magnet status by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, a status that only 5% of U.S. hospitals have achieved. "It really, truly is the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval for patient care," said Art Ushijima, Queen's president and CEO. "The designation is formal recognition of our excellence in patient care." Queen's was founded in 1859 by Queen Emma Kaleleonālani and 'Iolani, Kamehameha IV, who went door-to-door raising funds to open the hospital. Queen's was the first hospital in Hawai'i, and today is the largest private hospital in the state and the main trauma center for the Pacific.

Native Hawaiian Legal Corp. seeks Exec. Director

The Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation is looking for an Executive Director to help serve over 700 clients annually at the only non-profit, public interest law firm specializing in Hawaiian land and traditional rights. The ideal candidate possesses excellent managerial and administrative skills, is knowledgeable of the American legal system and Native Hawaiian rights, has experience advocating for Native Rights in Hawai'i and developing and executing strategic plans, grant-writing and fund raising, and who can communicate effectively to internal and external constituents. The position is located in downtown Honolulu, O'ahu. Salary is negotiable. Deadline is May 20. For more information about the position and how to apply, visit www.nhlchi.org.

Kaululā'au and Damien at Maui Arts & Cultural Center, April 18-19

See the epic tales of Kaululā'au and Father Damien this weekend in this pair of one-man plays at the McCoy Studio Theater of the Maui Arts & Cultural Center in Kahului. Moses Goods portrays the trickster ali'i Kaululā'au, along with all the other characters in his story, as he faces his demons and grows into his destiny in this play by Keali'iwahine Hokoana. Read our review of Kaululā'au in the February Ka Wai Ola. In Damien, Vinnie Linares tells the story of Father Damien, the Belgian priest – soon to be saint – who ministered to leprosy patients in Kalaupapa, Moloka'i in the one-man play by Aldyth Morris. Shows Saturday, April 18 at 7:30 p.m., Sunday, April 19 at 2 and 7 p.m. Tickets $20-25, call (808) 242-ARTS or visit mauiarts.org.

Celebrating native species through art

Entries are being sought through the end of May for Hawaiʻi Nei, a juried art exhibition at the Volcano Art Center's gallery in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, Kīlauea, Hawaiʻi that will run June 13 to August 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 Hawaiʻi Forest and Trail, a family membership at ʻImiloa Astronomy Center, a membership to Volcano Art Center, and various gift certificates from local businesses. Hawaiʻi 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.

Lei hulu exhibit at Lyman Museum

The Lyman Museum in Hilo, Hawai'i presents The Art of Feather Lei Making, May 1-16. The exhibition features a rainbow of lei hulu and other traditional and contemporary-style featherwork by Aunty Doreen Henderson and her students, Lei Hulu o Hilo. Folks are invited to meet the artists and learn how to make feather flowers. 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Call (808) 935-5021 or visit lymanmuseum.org for more information.

OHA announces economic development grant application process

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs Community-Based Economic Development (CBED) Grants Program is introducing a new two-step grant application process. Organizations interested in applying for a CBED grant will be required to submit a Letter of Interest by July 15 to be eligible to submit a full application to the CBED Grants Program during the fall.

Based on eligibility and suitability of the project to the CBED program, an OHA review committee will issue invitations to organizations to submit full applications due October 15. Interested parties not receiving an invitation to apply will not be eligible to submit a full CBED application during this round of funding.

Awards up to $50,000 per organization will be made to community-based organizations to plan, develop, and implement sustainable economic development projects/programs that will serve the needs of the Hawaiian community and achieve measurable outcomes.

For more information on the CBED grants program, visit www.oha.org/cbed.