Celebration of Hawaiian culture, arts makes waves

Preparing for the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival in 2012 and 2013, Kamaka Pili remembers attending long practices that left him mentally and physically exhausted, with sore muscles and bruised and bleeding knees. The closer it came to that prestigious hula competition in Hilo, the more frequent and intense the practices were; they often lasted five hours, four times a week, with few breaks.

Still, Pili and his hula brothers from Kawaili‘ula, kumu hula Chinky Mahoe’s halau (school), never complained. They considered it an honor to dance at Merrie Monarch, and their discipline and determination paid off: They won second place in the men’s kahiko (traditional), auana (modern) and overall divisions in 2012 and first place for all three the following year.

To Pili the spiritual rewards were even more gratifying. “Hula is much more than a physical dance,” he said. “It is the path to discovering who I am and learning about the Hawaiians who came before me. Through hula I am able to tell stories of the past and ensure the ancestors’ voices are heard. I realize that as a Hawaiian I have a kuleana (responsibility) to perpetuate my culture and heritage.”

That is the mission of the Hawaii Arts & Hospitality Association (HAHA), for which Pili serves as president. To that end the organization presents “Aloha Authentic” (alohaauthentic.org), a 30-minute television show that airs at 6 p.m. on the first Monday of every month on ‘Olelo Channel 53. Pili is producer and host for the show, which gives Hawaiian artists, artisans, kupuna (elders) and cultural practitioners a forum to share their knowledge, skills and experiences.

Building on that, he and Terri Funakoshi, his mentor and adviser, spearheaded the launch of the Native Hawaiian Arts & Culture Expo last year. “The goal of the expo is to spark Hawaiians’ interest in their culture, to support Hawaiian entrepreneurs, to remind kamaaina that Hawaii is a special place and to educate visitors about authentic Hawaii,” Pili said. “Art is essentially how we express ourselves, and that occurs in numerous ways. Hawaiian culture comprises many types of art, from hula and chants to lau hala weaving and lomilomi massage.”

Like the inaugural event, the second annual exposition will feature a craft fair, entertainment, presentations, workshops and a gallery showcasing work by Hawaiian artists.

The Royal Order of Kamehameha I will participate in the opening ceremony, which honors Kalakaua, Hawaii’s last reigning king (his birthday is Nov. 16). Founded in 1836 by King Kamehameha III, the Royal Hawaiian Band will kick off the entertainment, including hula, steel guitar and falsetto performances.

A wide variety of products will be sold at the craft fair; think jewelry, apparel, books, plants and food. Attendees can also peruse exhibits of surfboards, Hawaiian weapons, holua (sleds), kapa (tapa) beaters and ipu (gourds), a hula implement.

Booths will display background about the craftspeople and explain how their products relate to Hawaiian culture. Visitors are welcome to linger and talk story.

The Moolelo (Stories) of Art gallery will showcase an eye-catching array of fine art. Most will be available for purchase, including a set of 15 original paintings of alii (royalty) by Brook Kapukuniahi Parker, a descendant of John Palmer Parker, founder of famed Parker Ranch on Hawaii island.

“Education is a top priority,” Pili said. “Artists will be on hand to discuss the materials, themes and inspiration for their creations. It’s wonderful to see modern pieces that integrate ancient Hawaiian art forms — for example, paintings with petroglyph motifs.”

Presentations on sledding, surfing, tattooing, quilting, poi pounding and lomilomi massage will draw crowds to the main stage and craft fair. Also planned are workshops on feather work, kapa (tapa) pounding, Hawaiian medicine and more led by respected elders and practitioners (see sidebar). Participants can take what they make at those sessions and explain the process to family and friends, generating a ripple effect that Pili hopes will extend far beyond Hawaii.

“What’s great is that Hawaiians are the storytellers; you will learn about the Hawaiian culture from the Hawaiians themselves,” he said. ‘The expo brings together traditional cultural practitioners and contemporary artists and enables you to walk on the bridge that connects them: a commitment to preserving the Hawaiian culture and sharing it with the world.”

WORKSHOPS

Those interested in attending the workshops should sign up online at www.nativehawaiianexpo.com prior to the event. Space is limited, and reservations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis:

SATURDAY

Oli (Hawaiian chant)

10:30-11:30 a.m., $20

Feather work

wristlet, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., $45

Pupu o Niihau (Niihau shell jewelry)

Earrings and bracelet, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., $85-$185

UKULELE

11:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m., $30 pre-booked online, $50 at the door

KAPA POUNDING

1:30-3:30 p.m., $60

Hawaiian quilting

2:30-4:30 p.m., $35 (small size), $45 (large)

LAU HALA WEAVING

Christmas ornament, 3:30-5 p.m., $35

Laau Lapaau (Hawaiian medicine)

Nioi (chili pepper), 3:30-5 p.m., $60

OLI

4-5 p.m., $20

NOV. 13

KAHILI (FEATHER STANDARDS)

10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., $60

Ohe kapala (bamboo stamps)

Hair pick, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., $30

Natural dye/kapa stamping 1-3 p.m., $60

PUPU O NIIHAU

Choker, 1-5 p.m., $310

LAU HALA WEAVINg

Stars, bracelets: 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 1-2, 2:30-3:30, 4-5 p.m., $6

LAAU LAPAAU

Sore muscle oil infusion, 3:30-5 p.m., $60