Culture & Art

Honoring Prince Kūhiō’s Legacy

Wednesday, May 6th, 2026

By Léo Azambuja
A free theatrical play honored the legacy of Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole Piʻikoi before a crowd of nearly 100 Molokai residents at Lanikeha Community Center last week. The play was part of the Prince Kūhiō Day celebrations that had been postponed due to the Kona Low storms in March .
“Although our kingdom is lost, we are still the Hawaiian people, and as an aliʻi, part of me stands outside of any government, and I’m determined to serve,” the actor portraying Prince Kūhiō said during the “Ka Kauā o Ka Lāhui: The Life of Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole Piʻikoi” play April 26.…

Native Plant Spotlight from Kamalō: ʻAʻaliʻi

Friday, March 27th, 2026

By Ka Ipu Makani

Ka Ipu Makani Cultural Heritage Center is excited to begin sharing a new series highlighting the native plants being grown and prepared for planting at ʻAikoʻolua in Kamalō as part of the Kīpuka Kamalō Restoration Project. The work on the ground is led by ʻAnakala Bobby Alcain, who has spent many years working with native plants and sharing knowledge about their propagation and care in dryland environments.

Over the coming months, this series will introduce some of the native species being propagated for the project and share a bit about their ecological roles, cultural uses, and significance in Hawaiian traditions.…

Lauhala Anthuriums for Valentine’s Day

Thursday, February 5th, 2026

By Léo Azambuja

The hala tree was one of the most important plants in old Hawaii. All parts of the tree were utilized — the fruit was a famine food also used for lei-making and paintbrushes, the roots and flowers had medicinal properties, the wood was used to build structures. But it was its leaves, called lauhala, that made the tree so popular until today. 

Weaved in a variety of ways, lauhala was used in crafting floor mats, hats, containers, burial vessels, baskets and even canoe sails.

“I am a third-generation weaver, taught by my tutu lady and my hanai mama and my hanai tutu.…

Hula Panel and Exhibit at Mitchell Pauole Center

Thursday, January 29th, 2026

This year’s Kā Molokai Makahiki had a special event, a hula panel and exhibit at Mitchell Pauole Center Jan. 24 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. The event honored Molokai’s hula lineages and the role of hula in the Makahiki tradition. 

“We are reintroducing the hula aspect into our Makahiki traditions because of Lono,” Lima said of the Hawaiian god of fertility, abundance, agriculture and peace. “When Lono brings the rains, he activates the forest, and when the forest is activated and moves, that is what inspired our people to dance, to tell those stories that way.”

The seven panelists — Debbie Naeʻole, Bridget Mowat, Loretta Ritte, Teri Neuhart, Kahiwa Chow, Karen Harada and Uakea Weisbarth-Tafaoimalo — were students of kumu hula Rachel Kamakana, Harriet Ne, John Kaʻimikaua, Kauwila Reyes and Moana Dudoit. …