Featuring more than 30 practitioners of this ancient art, this book won a "Keep It Hawai'i" Award from the Hawai'i Tourism Authority for r [...]
Read the rest of this entry »

This is the first in a series of traditional Hawaiian stories retold for today’s learners. In this bilingual tale, 'Elepaio pecks a hole in Kanaka's water gourd, provoking the man to throw a rock at him. ‘Elepaio flits about the forest trying to get sympathy from the other birds. In the end, ' [...]
Read the rest of this entry »

Can culture- and tradition-bound Hawaiians survive in the modern business world? This is a question that has been asked over and over as economic prosperity has risen in the islands but by-passed the Hawaiian community. International economic initiatives and development began with the first tourists—the British explorers that accompanied Captain James Cook in 1778. But systems for managing natural and human resources in the island chiefdoms were well established prior to their arrival. Malcolm Naea Chun examines the account of both Native and non-native writers to discover what he calls “cultural management,” then explores how its tools and techniques can be used today for organizations that want to be culturally based, and to operate effectively in the modern business world.

Read the rest of this entry »

The mele contained in this book are fundamental to hula Pele and reflect a vast and dynamic Hawai'i worldview. These mele have been preserved for centuries via oral traditions, the sacred hula of Hawai'i, and, more recently, in twentieth-century written texts. Lele Kawa offers original translations [...]
Read the rest of this entry »

Could you give an example of where fiction crosses over to nonfiction?

The environmental issues affecting Hawai’i and government corruption is an example of where the story specifically crosses over to nonfiction. Lei is an environmentalist, and I wanted to go much further with cruise ship pollution, the beach cleanup, government protection of industry but instead I just touch on it. I even had the Superferry in the story at one point and the current governor’s real-life decision to waive environmental protection laws on their behalf, but it was starting to distract from the plot.

Read the rest of this entry »

Hūlili is a multidisciplinary forum for current research that examines the nature, needs, and strengths of Hawaiians, their families, and their communities. Through collaboration and critique, Hūlili fosters new connections and shared insights to mobilize greater Hawaiian well-being.

by Stacy L. Kamehiro The Arts of Kingship offers a sustained and detailed account of Hawaiian public art and architecture during the reign of David Kalākaua, the nativist and cosmopolitan ruler of the Hawaiian Kingdom from 1874 to 1891. Stacy Kamehiro provides visual and historical analysis of Ka [...]
Read the rest of this entry »

I was a kid in the 40’s and 50’s, a time when it still was not cool to be Hawaiian. Kamehameha, my school from seventh through twelfth grade, even though instituted for Hawaiian children, sought to make us thoroughly American. Which I was. Except for those “aboriginal twinges” and a gaping hole in my heart. I consciously—and self-consciously—pursued article assignments to learn about being Hawaiian as well as to write about specific topics. I learned about hula, heiau, the Hawaiian diet. I spent three days on Kaho‘olawe during January Makahiki ceremonies, addressed a personal health problem through lomilomi, sailed for an afternoon on the voyaging canoe Hōkūle‘a. Eventually I came to know dozens of people in the Hawaiian community. They all welcomed me, especially after I learned to approach any Hawaiian by placing myself in my family, school, and community. I think it is today’s version of what some have told me was the ancient recitation of genealogy between strangers until they came to a point of commonality. Never mind the journalism degrees and writing achievements. I am the younger Pierre Bowman’s older sister, Uncle Wright’s niece, Scotty’s cousin. I am KS ’58. I am Kailua, O‘ahu. Now we can talk.

Read the rest of this entry »

Originally published as a reader by Lahainaluna Press in 1834, this collection of four-footed animal descriptions features Hawaiian and English text. Each sketch is accompanied by a reproduction of an original woodblock print. A sort of picture-zoo for young Hawai'i students who had never seen most [...]
Read the rest of this entry »

Fourth in Wichman’s series of Kaua‘i tales, Pele Ma is a collection of stories that tell of the life and exploits of Pele, Kamapua‘a, Hi‘iaka, Lohi‘au, and their companions. Although Pele is always associated with the Big Island, these retellings remind us that the Pele legends have a str [...]
Read the rest of this entry »