Hawaiian Culture

Hawaiian culture stories from Molokai

Future Scientists Get a Sense of Our Past

Friday, March 29th, 2013

Future Scientists Get a Sense of Our Past

Community Contributed

By Bradford Duval

Every few years, science teacher Erron Yoshioka along with 15 eager science club members and two other teachers travel to Molokai from Moanalua High School on Oahu. During their spring break, they take in Molokai and gain a shared sense of history and perspective on some of the old ways and how it relates to their scientific lessons and explorations.

Sharing knowledge with those willing to learn is a specialty of 2013 Umu Kai Award winner Uncle Mac Poepoe’s, and on the students’ recent trip to Mo`omomi, learn they did.

Starting at the main pavilion, the students were able to learn about pono fishing techniques, and how traditional Hawaiian practices tie in to the science of fishery management.…

Prince Kuhio Day

Thursday, March 28th, 2013

Prince Kuhio Day

Homesteaders and Molokai residents celebrated Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole’s birthday Saturday on the island where his Hawaiian Homes Commission Act was first put into practice.

“If it weren’t for the success of homesteads on Molokai, the [Hawaiian homestead] program wouldn’t still be around,” event organizer Kammy Purdy said. Prince Kuhio’s 132nd birthday was honored with food, music and a ho`okupu at the Lanikeha Community Center.

Prince Kuhio was next in line for the throne when the Hawaiian monarchy was overthrown in 1984. He later became a congressional delegate and championed for the rights of Native Hawaiians. His 1920 Hawaiian Homes Commission Act provided homelands for the people he represented.…

Moana Dudoit: A legacy of love, culture and ohana

Monday, March 25th, 2013

Moana Dudoit: A legacy of love, culture and ohana

“One of the best friends I ever had.” “Always helped everyone.” “A legacy of unconditional love.” “Always dreamed big.” “Spiritually strong.” These are just a few of the ways one of Molokai’s most beloved kumu hula, Aunty Moana Dudoit, is described by family and friends.

For more than 40 years, Dudoit’s halau has taught and supported about 300 people ranging in age from 4 to 90-something. Traveling around the world to share the aloha spirit, Hawaiian culture and love of family, Dudoit has touched not only those on her native island of Molokai, but also those on the mainland, and in Japan, Europe and the South Pacific.…

Celebrating Coffees

Sunday, March 24th, 2013

Celebrating Coffees

Coffee, keiki and good causes brought the crowds up to Kualapu`u this weekend as Coffees of Hawaii celebrated 20 years of harvests in the area and 200 years of coffee in Hawai`i.

“She was pretty much abandoned when I came here ten years ago,” Coffees of Hawaii owner Mike Atherton said about the plantation, adding he was proud that he was able to keep the company harvesting coffee through the years.

March 16 was declared Coffees of Hawaii Day at the opening ceremonies Friday. The event led into an afternoon parade and evening festivities, including Project Runway: Plantation Style, where teams competed at the Kualapu`u Center to create the best fashion piece out of burlap and plastic paper without sewing.…

Prince Kuhio Day 2013 – UPDATED

Wednesday, March 20th, 2013

Please note: Location of the Molokai Prince Kuhio celebration this Saturday is at Lanikeha in Ho`olehua, not at Kiowea Park as originally noted. 

Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole was next in line for the throne when the Kingdom of Hawaii was overthrown in 1894. Though this was when the Hawaiian monarchy came to an end, it was just the beginning of a lifetime of activism and accomplishments for Prince Kuhio.

Prince Kuhio went to prison for treason as he attempted to restore the monarchy. He left Hawaii after being released from prison, and when he returned, Hawaii was a territory of the U.S.…

Mateo’s Mana`o

Sunday, March 17th, 2013

Mateo’s Mana`o

 

Danny Mateo’s time as Maui County council chair ended at noon Jan. 2. The next minute he started his work in the Mayor’s office as an executive assistant and liaison for the county and State legislature.

“Retirement for me is not in the immediate future,” he said over coffee at Kanemitsu Bakery Saturday. “I still have a lot to offer. As long as there is fire in the fireplace I will continue what I do.”

This means Mateo will continue to be a voice for the people of Molokai and work to improve the island, something he did for 10 years as a councilmember before he reached his term limit.  …

New Style for Kualapu`u

Friday, March 15th, 2013

New Style for Kualapu`u

 

There’s a new shop three doors down from Molokai Furniture in Kualapu`u that offers men’s, women’s and children’s Hawaiian wear. Molokai Furniture owner Denise Taueetia opened Denise’s Island Fashion February 25 and has been adding new clothes and accessories as the business develops.

Ashley Keoho, who works at Denise’s Island Fashion, said they’ve ordered basic tops and shorts to sell alongside the classic Hawaiian attire. She said their earrings and cover-ups have been popular so far.

Surrounded by vibrant colored apparel and beach-inspired jewelry, Keoho talks story with customers and offers her eye for style to help with purchases. Taueetia called her young employee a blessing, adding that because of Keoho she is able to bring in clothes that appeal to younger shoppers.…

Native Hawaiian Scholarship Available

Thursday, March 14th, 2013

Native Hawaiian Scholarship Available

Liko A`e News Release

Liko A`e Native Hawaiian Leadership Program is accepting applications for those of Hawaiian ancestry wanting to pursue college degrees from accredited schools throughout Hawai`i and the U.S. With funding made possible by the U.S. Department of Education, Title VII(B) Native Hawaiian Education Act and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Native Hawaiian students pursuing vocational and higher education degrees from associates to doctorates are eligible to apply for these funds.

Since 2003, Liko A`e has successfully supported more than 2,000 college students pursuing a diverse range of degree programs. This year, in addition to providing financial scholarships, Liko A`e’s Leadership Program will require students to participate in mentoring programs, focused community service projects and online community building.…

Soap for Molokai, Pride in Residency

Sunday, March 10th, 2013

Soap for Molokai, Pride in Residency

 

Molokai Soaps has its own shop now, and owner Patricia Hammond hopes to bring some pride in residency to Kaunakakai. This means she’s working on beautifying town and encouraging others to follow suit.

She moved her business into a portion of the old Fish and Dive on the main strip of Ala Malama Street. The remaining portion of the former dive shop, though empty, is now a little livelier thanks to Hammond’s initiative.

“This is the first thing you see when you come into town,” Hammond said as she stood outside the store next to her soap shop. “And unfortunately it’s an ugly building.”…

Research Team Discovers Existence of Hawaii Sign Language

Friday, March 1st, 2013

 

University of Hawai`i News Release

A research group based in the Department of Linguistics at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa announced this morning that they have confirmed the existence of a previously undocumented language in Hawai‘i called Hawai‘i Sign Language (HSL). This is the first time since the 1930’s that a previously unknown language, either spoken or signed, has been documented in the U.S., and it could be the last of America’s undiscovered languages.

The announcement was made in conjunction with the 3rd International Conference on Language Documentation and Conservation at UH Mānoa.

HSL, the indigenous language of Deaf people in Hawai‘i, is one of only two known surviving sign languages in the United States.…