The Works of the People pf Old: Na Hana a ka Po‘e Kahiko
In this book, Samuel M. Kamakau examines aspects of the material culture of his ancestors. The text is a translated and edited version of a series of articles published in the Hawaiian language newspaper Ke Au ‘Oko‘a in 1969 and 1870. Kamakau wrote of practices that were fast disappearing with information from his own experiences as well as research by Hawaiian students and their instructors at Lahainaluna Seminary.
He describes the cultivation of food and other plants used by the Hawaiians, such as olona for nets and rope, and hue‘awa‘awa (bitter gourds) for containers. The rich Hawaiian tradition of fish farming is documented, as well as the elaborate rituals of canoe-making, kapa (bark cloth) making, and house construction.
Samuel M. Kamakau, a Hawaiian scholar born on Oahu, had a lifelong academic involvement with the history and traditions of his people. This continuing interest led him to write several series of articles that were published originally in Hawaiian-language newspapers during the 1860's and 1870's.
$15.95
isbn 978-0-030897-82-6
hardcover, 6x9, 178pp.
Available at Bishop Museum's Shop Pacifica (phone 808-848-4158, email at shop@bishopmuseum.org ) and other fine bookstores throughout the islands.
