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Hawaiian Culture

Hawaiian culture stories from Molokai

Aunty’s Corner

Wednesday, January 6th, 2010

Aunty’s Corner

Aloha Molokai.  My name is Aunty Kapua.  I have always loved Molokai and when my beloved sister passed away I moved here from Lahaina. I am a kupuna volunteer here at The Molokai Dispatch taking care of the e-mail subscriptions and the hard copy subscriptions. The most fun, however, is stuffing the newspapers with the inserts every Wednesday. 

I thought it would be great to have a column about the doings of us kupuna on Molokai.  To start off I want to thank Misaki’s and Molokai Drugs for their wonderful donations to the Hui at Home Pumehana.  I wish also to thank the staff at Home Pumehana for their hard work for both onolicious Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners that they prepared and served.  Wow, lots of work.

During the holidays, Na Wahine O Molokai, under the direction of Kumu Hula Kauila Reyes, walked around town doing their Christmas caroling.  Akaku Television was there to capture their Christmas cheer on camera.  You can see the kupuna on Channel 54 during Maui Time. It’s really funny to see one’s self on TV.

Last week, Alulike Kupuna Program took the kupuna on a lovely drive to the east end and told us about the different areas. We were quizzed afterwards.  Auwe, all but myself could remember all the places.  I need to get a map and learn what all the ahupua’a are named.
 
If you are interested in submitting to this column please let me know at the Dispatch by calling 552-2781 or stopping in the office on Kamo`i St.

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Seal Slaying

Monday, January 4th, 2010

Seal Slaying

A Molokai monk seal has once again captured the island’s attention – this time for his unfortunate death. A male monk seal that has been known to swim in Molokai waters for the past several years was found dead on Dec. 14, 2009.

NOAA officials say he was intentionally shot, after performing a necropsy, and have opened an ongoing investigation on why and how the animal met its fate. It is against the law to kill an endangered species, like the Hawaiian monk seal, and being found guilty can carry a fine up to $50,000.

are an important part of Hawaiian natural resources,” Schofield said. “They were here before we were.” He added that anyone with any information about this latest incident should call 1-800-853-1964.

 

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Molokai Duo Strums on Oahu

Monday, December 14th, 2009

Molokai Duo Strums on Oahu

Community Contributed
By Lucy Lamkin

Molokai ukulele maker Dan Ryerson and Ukes for Kids’ 13-year-old student Ace Villanueva participated in the eighth Annual Ukulele Guild of Hawaii Exhibition & Conference last month. On Nov. 21-22, the pair traveled to Oahu for the conference held at the Sheraton Hotel in Waikiki.


The event featured 48 instruments by 32 master builders. Builders from all over the world, including Hawaii, the mainland, New Zealand and Japan, gathered for two days to learn more about their craft. Ryerson put on his exhibit for the seventh year in a row. The event included instrument and craftsmanship displays, a program of workshops in instrument construction and playing techniques.

Ace Villanueva of Molokai performed in the lineup of well known players at the Conference Open Mic and was praised by world reknowned strummers Kalei Gamiao and Kimo Hussey. Gamiao, Hussey and several other recording artists inclduding Brittni Paiva, Daniel Nakashima and Chris Salvador played at the Saturday night banquet. 

Dan Ryerson’s Manae label has created custom ukuleles and guitars for clients in Hawaii, the mainland and Japan.  Ryerson initiated the Ukes For Kids program on Molokai that has supplied over 385 ukuleles to students like Villanueva across the island.

Molokai’s Ukes for Kids Program has received significant support from the The Ukulele Guild of Hawaii which is devoted to perpetuating Hawai‘i’s culture and heritage. Large contributions have come from as far away as Santa Cruz, California where guild member and instrument maker Dave Tachera produced a concert benefitting the Molokai program.  Local band Na Ohana Hoaloha has also consistently raised funds in support of the Ukes for Kids Program on Molokai.

A closer view of the Exhibition is available at: http://www.ukuleleguild.org/

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Choke Talent on Molokai

Monday, December 14th, 2009

Choke Talent on Molokai

Nearly 50 students from four Molokai schools participated in this year’s Brown Bags to Stardom talent show last Saturday night, an island-wide talent competition. This was the second year that the competition was open to elementary and middle school students, and the first year that Molokai had all three divisions represented.

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