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Culture & Art

Ekolu Spreading Love

Monday, March 28th, 2011

Ekolu Spreading Love

Award-winning reggae band, Ekolu is letting the music flow with their latest album release, “Simply for Love.”  They will be at Molokai’s very own Paddler’s Inn for the album release party, this Saturday, April 2, hosted by HI Finest Productions. Local boy Paulele Alcon’s company will also be donating proceeds of the concert to the Molokai High School Athletics Department.

Ekolu’s front-man, Lukela Keala, spoke with the Dispatch about Ekolu’s inspirations, his personal experiences of growing up in Wailuku Valley in Maui, and what we can expect from his band this weekend.

Molokai Dispatch (MD): How do you think Ekolu’s style has evolved over the years?

Lukela Keala (LK): Just wanting to be a better musician. Doesn’t take much to motivate me.

I could never get away from it.

MD: You have played shows on the mainland, as well as Japan. How do those audiences differ from Hawaii’s audiences?
LK: People on the mainland and Japan are more emotional. I guess that’s because they don’t local music all the time. You can feel that they miss home a lot!

MD: What is the number one message you want to spread amongst your listeners?
LK: That’s simple - love.

MD: What do you listen to these days?
LK: All kinds of stuff – oldies, reggae, Hawaiian, Jazz, Light Rock, Opera (Andrea Bocelli’s my man) and just a mix of everything.

Thank you, Lord Jesus for everything. I am grateful for you. Much love to all of the Molokai people. Oh, and one more thing, pick up our new album, “Simply For Love.” I know you guys don’t have a Borders over there, so check it on our website: www.ekolumusic.com. Love you, Molokai folks!

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Keeping It Classy

Monday, March 28th, 2011

Keeping It Classy

Molokai elementary students enjoyed a relaxing start to their four-day weekend last Thursday afternoon when they were treated to a classical music performance.

The Galliard String Quartet, an ensemble of Chamber Music Hawaii, travelled across the island, stopping at each elementary school and the Molokai Public Library as part of an educational outreach program through the Honolulu Symphony.

The violinists, a violist and a cellist demonstrated the versatility of the classical genre by playing a variety of musical selections, including arrangements from World War II and modern folklore.

 “Classical music is a treasure of national history,” said quartet violinist Hung Wu. “There is much more to be learned in addition to the notes and arrangements.”

Students enthusiastically asked questions about the origins of the pieces played, how long the musicians have been playing and the materials used to craft the instruments.

“I like the low sound of the bass and would like to try play sometime,” said Kaunakakai third grader Beverly Ludgate.

Kualapu`u School Principal Lydia Trinidad said the kids benefited from the participatory aspect of the show and “got a rise out of watching their teachers get on stage and play with the ensemble”

“It’s great the quartet can come and expose the kids to new world culture at an expert level of performance,” said Kaunakakai teacher Bob Underwood, who also teaches violin and brass instruments through the 21st Century program. Classes are offered at Kaunakakai Elementary, Kualapu`u School and Maunaloa Elementary.

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Local Artist Honored

Wednesday, March 23rd, 2011

Community Contributed by Victoria Kapuni

Master carver and local Molokai artist Bill Kapuni will have one of his lifetime achievements on display for the public to enjoy beginning at the end of the month.  A model of the pyramid he and artist Rafeal Trenor co-created was donated to the Molokai Public Library, and is being dedicated Monday, March 28 at 3 p.m. in Kapuni’s memory for all Molokai people to enjoy.  The pyramid was created for an international peace project in 2002 and sculpted on his Kalama`ula ag land – one of eight pyramids of its kind in the world.

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Internment History on Molokai

Monday, March 21st, 2011

Internment History on Molokai

About 2,000 Japanese-Americans were forcibly confined in camps around Hawaii during World War II – 2,000 stories previously untold.

The National Park Service (NPS) recently uncovered six previously unknown internment sites, for a total of 13 around the state.

Kaunakakai was one of those sites. The old jail, the island’s oldest wooden building now standing vacant in Malama Park, was used as a holding site for four known Molokai residents picked up during WWII.

Sites like these, where little remains to identify their historical significance, are being studied by NPS to determine whether they should be brought into the NPS system. Planners and NPS officials are hosting meetings around the state to gather public input on all the sites, as well as collect information on each island’s specific locations.

Judy Bittenbender, a local resident who attended last week’s scoping meeting on Molokai, said preserving these sites are important, “in part for the future generation, as so many of our seniors are passing on.”


Mana`o and ideas on internment preservation – both of Kaunakakai and the other island’s sites – can be shared with NPS for this study until May 31. The draft study will be presented again to the public in the fall, before being sent to Congress in spring 2012. More information can be found at nps.gov/pwro/honouliuli and HawaiiInternment.org. Testimony and questions can be sent to Bott’s email, suzanne_bott@nps.gov.

Internment throughout Hawaii
KAUAI – Wailua County Jail, Kalaheao Stockade, Lihue Plantation, Waimea Jail
OAHU – Honouliuli Gulch, U.S. Immigration Station, Sand Island Detention Center
MAUI – Wailuku County Jail, Haiku Camp
MOLOKAI – Kaunakakai Jail
LANAI – Lanai City Jail
HAWAII – Waiakea Prison Camp, Kilauea Miliary Camp

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Rare Hula Workshop

Wednesday, March 16th, 2011

Rare Hula Workshop

Hui Pulelehua, a youth hula troupe the trains in the rare forms of hula with the Hula Preservation Society (HPS) out of Oahu, are presenting a free workshop on Molokai on April 16.

The hui is headed by Kumu Maile Loo; Uncle Calvin Hoe, master craftsman; and Kumu Iwalani Kalima of Hilo who has been training the students in the dances of her long-time kumu, Uncle George Naope.

Participants will have an opportunity to try out the different hula – hula papa hehi ame kala`au (treadleboard with hand sticks), hula `ulili (spinning gourd rattle), and hula `ohe (nose flue hula).

Hula `ohe is on the brink of extinction, and will be the primary focus of the workshop. The workshop will be from 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon at Kulana `Oiwi. Come early at 8:30 a.m. to make your own nose flute ($5 supply fee).

The workshop is free but registration is required; contact workshops.hps@gmail.com or call the HPS office at (808) 247-9440. Deadline is April 9.

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Arts Center Nears Construction

Monday, March 14th, 2011

Arts Center Nears Construction

Molokai Art Center (MAC) made it one step closer to the renovation of their new building this past weekend. They hosted nearly 250 people at a sold-out event at Coffees of Hawaii in an effort to fundraise for the first-ever art center on Molokai.

Last Saturday’s “Soup ‘R Bowl” party treated guests to handmade ceramic soup bowls, eight homemade soups, and the music of local musicians.

“I think [the center is] an important part of the community. We need a place for [artists] to do what they do,” said Darlene Hall, a community resident.

The arts center was founded in 2010 with local artists Emillia Noordhoek, Dan Bennett, Kim Markham, April Torres and Betty West. The board members have been throwing fundraisers ever since in order to renovate one of the buildings on the Coffees’ property.

MAC is nearing the finalization of a five year lease for a 763 square foot structure behind the coffee processing plant. President Emillia Noordhoek said that she plans on signing the lease within the next couple of weeks.

The group had abandoned the idea of renovating a different building on Coffee’s property, because it would have been too costly to make the structure useable and safe, according to Bennett.

The Art Center will feature a kiln, eight wheels, and a raku kiln. Raku is a Japanase-style of firing, which uses a low-heat process.

“I thought it was great. I had a great audience and I’d gladly do it again,” said one of the night’s musicians, Norman DeCosta.

After the signing of the lease, the committee can finalize its building plans and begin construction.

“We hope to start having classes by this summer,” Noordhoek said.

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A Call to Organize

Monday, March 14th, 2011

Molokai’s `Aha Ki`ole is beginning to stimulate island participation for its core values: protecting and preserving the island’s resources.

The organization’s po`o alaka`i (executive board) announced they are beginning a registration drive for all residents 18 years of age or older, who have lived on Molokai for two or more years.

“We are much stronger as a whole unit speaking out, than we are as smaller parts,” said Karen Poepoe, one of the organization’s po`o alaka`i.

A Big Issue
Their first act of community service was to take a survey of registered residents on an issue that is undeniably on people’s minds: windmill development on Molokai.

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Hokule`a Youth Crew Voyage to Christchurch for Earthquake Relief

Friday, March 4th, 2011

Hokule`a Youth Crew Voyage to Christchurch for Earthquake Relief

Polynesian Voyaging Society News Release

A small group of culturally conscious Hawaii youth are headed to Christchurch, New Zealand to provide much-needed assistance to those coping with the effects of the tragic Feb. 22 earthquake.  The natural disaster claimed 161 lives with hundreds still unaccounted for. Thousands are still struggling without water, electricity, proper sewage, or access to government services and aid.

Six members of Polynesian Voyaging Society’s Kapu Na Keiki program, Moani Hemuli, Haunani Kane, Waimea McKeague and Jason Patterson of Oahu; Cliff Kapono of Hawaii island; and Niegel Rozet of Maui, are planning to deploy to the disaster area within the week. The team is comprised of voyaging navigators and apprentices, trained first responders, and a journalist.  Working with their hosts, Ngai Tahu people, they will offer person-to-person relief in the city center and more isolated rural areas surrounding Christchurch.

Maori (native) communities within the region have rallied to support those devastated by the earthquake.  They have opened their marae (meeting houses) as temporary shelters and are helping to administer much needed medical assistance and provide food and water to displaced families.  The Ngai Tahu iwi (tribe) is the principal Maori iwi (tribe) in New Zealand’s South Island; their tribal offices, located in Christchurch were badly damaged in the quake. Nevertheless, tribal members have been working tirelessly to assist those left homeless by the natural disaster.


“We are so grateful that our Hawaiian cousins wish to come and assist with this tragedy,” said Patsy Perenara-O’Connell, an official with Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu  (the tribal governance organization of the Ngai Tahu people) headquartered in Christchurch.

“We believe this is the best way to express solidarity with our Polynesian `ohana during this painful time,” said Haunani Kane, spokesperson for Kapu Na Keiki. “While this particular voyage will substitute jet transportation for a sailing canoe, it requires the same level of planning and preparation. We will be self-sufficient upon arrival and throughout our stay to ensure we lighten the burden of our hosts.”

With limited time for planning and preparation, Kapu Na Keiki finds itself with an abundance of goodwill and a scarcity of funding. The group is appealing to the generosity of Hawaii?s people and businesses to help fund this humanitarian voyage. “We estimate our expenses will be about $20,000,” said Kane. “If 200 people are inspired to give $100, our expenses will be completely covered. All money raised beyond that will go directly toward disaster relief in New Zealand.”

Contributions to Kapu Na Keiki?s Voyage to Christchurch can be made through Polynesian Voyaging Society where a special account has been designated. Send donations to Polynesian Voyaging Society, Attn: Voyage to Christchurch, 10 Sand Island Parkway, Honolulu, HI 96819. Checks, cash or credit cards (American Express, Visa and Mastercard) are welcomed, call with a credit card by phone (808) 842-1101 or fax (808) 842-1112. Contributors may also call the PVS office at 536-8405 to make donations.

ABOUT KAPU NA KEIKI
Kapu Na Keiki ("Hold Sacred the Children") embodies a dream envisioned by navigator and educator Nainoa Thompson to expose youth to Hawai‘i’s ancestral tradition of deep-sea voyaging and non-instrument navigation. Students develop an appreciation for Hawai‘i, its people and its cultural and ecological beauty, learn the importance of caring for our environment and natural resources, enjoy the gift of physical activity, challenge themselves, be inspired to explore, exercise leadership and service, and experience the values of compassion and giving.
 

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Preserving Forgotten History

Monday, February 28th, 2011

By Associated Press and Molokai Dispatch staff

Not many people in or outside of Hawaii know the state hosted internment camps – preliminary studies have identified 13 sites in Hawaii where people were confined for varying lengths of time between the 1941 start of the war and the war's end in 1945.

Honouliuli Gulch on Oahu, which held 1,200 people between 1943 and 1945, was the largest camp in Hawaii.

The National Park Service is holding public meetings over the next month to get input on internment camps in Hawaii during World War II to help it determine the best way to preserve these sites and share their history.

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Hula Heaven

Friday, February 25th, 2011

Hula Heaven

Telling stories of ancient hula deities and paniolo princes, the dancers of Aunty Moana’s hula halau captivated the audience during the halau’s annual fundraiser last Saturday night.

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