From 2013 to 2017, some 245 crew members sailed the double-hulled canoes Hokule‘a and Hikianalia to 23 countries and territories during the Malama Honua Worldwide Voyage (hokulea.com). The Johnny Appleseeds of aloha, they shared Hawaii’s goodwill in more than 150 ports, from Samoa to South Africa, from Bali to Brazil.

Thus were planted the seeds that grew into the theme for this year’s Celebration of the Arts: “E aloha i na mea kanu … Love all things that are planted.”

“‘Seeds’ that we will focus on are not just from an agricultural viewpoint,” said Clifford Nae‘ole, cultural advisor at The Ritz-­Carlton, Kapalua, which has hosted the event for 27 years. “Teachers, mentors and cultural practitioners are also ‘farmers’ who plant seeds of knowledge about subjects such as history, science, politics, language, music and hula. Celebration of the Arts assembles people in a welcoming environment that encourages listening, learning, contributing and passing it forward.”

The seeds for the acclaimed cultural festival were planted by Linda Morgan, former regional director of marketing for Ritz-­Carlton Resorts Hawaii; renowned musician and composer Henry Kapono; and Lynn Shue, owner of Village Galleries Maui.

On Oct. 29, 1992, the hotel opened with a team of executives committed to preserving and honoring the Hawaiian culture and the ancient burial site on its grounds.

“Hawaiian culture, art and community came together that day, and an idea called me from deep within,” Morgan said. “What if we hosted an event that invited everyone to tap into their own creative spirit? What if The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua became the gathering place for Hawaiian arts and culture to thrive?”

With the support of then-­General Manager John Toner, Morgan, Shue and Kapono fine-tuned the concept, and Celebration of the Arts debuted April 8-11, 1993. There were awa (kava) and hiuwai (sunrise cleansing) ceremonies, art exhibits and demonstrations, and opportunities for attendees to make their own baskets, tapa, watercolors and more.

“Souls were touched, eyes were opened and the hotel came alive with people’s connections to culture, the arts and one another,” Morgan said. “That has not changed. What has evolved over the years is the building of understanding, respect and caring for all things Hawaiian through the inspiring, thought-provoking themes and presentations that Clifford has created.”

Jacob Adolpho, who makes kaula (cordage) from strips of hau bark, will be one of the participants in the session entitled “Ulana … to weave.” In olden times, kaula held hale (house) frames together, lashed adze stones to handles and secured outriggers to canoes.

“As Jacob knows, weaving cordage is intricate work that also represents a metaphorical fastening,” Nae‘ole said. “Just as kaula was essential to make hale, adzes and canoes long ago, so is the binding of mindsets necessary to unify the Hawaiian people.”

The presentation “Cornerstones” underscores the fact that to have a solid foundation — something to build on — there must first be solid cornerstones.

“That also holds true for the Hawaiian renaissance,” Nae‘ole said. “I believe the cornerstones of that burgeoning movement are wayfinding and the journeys of Hokule‘a and Hikianalia; the resurgence of the Hawaiian language through immersion programs; the pride and discipline demonstrated by dancers in the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival; and the restoration of the Honokahua Burial Site and the protection of sanctity and dignity for the kupuna (ancestors) interred there. These topics will be discussed in-depth by Hawaiians who are actively involved with them.”

Kyle Nakanelua and Ke‘eaumoku Kapu instruct men in lua, the traditional Hawaiian form of self-­defense. During “The New Age of Looking Backwards,” they will explain how and why they continually research and practice the values of their kupuna.

“There is an adage that goes ‘We will know where we are going only by knowing where we went,’” Nae‘ole said. “Kyle and Ke‘eaumoku are proud to walk in the steps of their kupuna. The lessons they learned from them are what they now plant in their students. What we sow today we will reap tomorrow. What fruits will we harvest? What kind of ancestors will we be?”

—

HIGHLIGHTS

Find a complete schedule at kapaluacelebrationofthearts.com.

APRIL 19

10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Hands-on art and demonstrations

Local artists, crafters and cultural practitioners display, demonstrate and teach attendees how to make a take-home keepsake. Also on Saturday.

11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

“The Roots of Ulu”

Ulu (breadfruit) once a staple in Hawaii, is making a comeback. Matt Yamashita, a filmmaker who hails from Molokai, captures the essence of its value, both physical and spiritual, in this documentary.

12:30-1:30 p.m.

Ulana … to weave

Sabra Kauka, Jacob Adolpho, Lloyd Kumula‘au Sing and Pohaku Kahoohanohano are known for their skill and knowledge about this Hawaiian art.

2 to 3 p.m.

“Cornerstones”

Topics for discussion include the voyages of Hokule‘a and Hikianalia (Kala Babayan-Tanaka), Hawaiian immersion language programs (Hokulani Holt), the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival (Kamaka Kukona) and the Honokahua Preservation Site (Dane Uluwehi Maxwell).

APRIL 20

11-11:45 a.m.

Community Resilience

Tiare Lawrence and Mahina Martin ensure the intentions of corporations, politicians and legislation work for the good of the community.

12:15-1:30 p.m.

“If You Listen, You Will See”

Lecturer and author Richard Roshon has logged more than 30,000 miles of ocean kayaking, including spending winter nights with humpbacks by his side.

2:30-3:30 p.m.

“The New Age of Looking Backwards”

Lua instructors Kyle Nakanelua and Ke‘eaumoku Kapu turn to the past to help sow seeds for the future of Hawaii.

6-8:30 p.m.

Celebration of Island Tastes

The admission of $25, $15 for children 6-12, includes entertainment and a dinner plate of kalua pork, chicken long rice, ahi poke, poi, sweet potato and haupia. Beverages and a la carte items such as opihi (limpets) and luau hee (octopus with taro leaf and coconut milk) can be purchased separately.

Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi is a Honolulu-based freelance writer whose travel features for the Star-Advertiser have won several Society of American Travel Writers awards.