Na Maka O Ka Aina

Artist, craftsman and philosopher Sam Kaha‘i Ka‘ai displays his collection of fishhooks made of bone, ivory, pearl and turtle shell, and demonstrates the traditional way of making them using grinding stones and a Hawaiian drill.


Sam explains the importance of cordage to the Hawaiians of old who bound their world together instead of using nails. He presents the treasured lei niho palaoa (whale tooth pendant) and describes its importance in family inheritance. While carving his well-known wooden ki‘i, he shares insights into the past gained from making things in traditional ways.… (altro)

Sovereignty is the ability of a people who share a common culture, religion, language, value system and land base to exercise control over their lands and lives, independent of other nations. From the history of the Mahele and the 1893 act of war against the Hawaiian Kingdom to the modern-day struggles for land rights, this video takes a look at one of the first native initiatives for self governance, Ka Lahui Hawai’i. Narrated by Sol Bright.

Featuring Mililani Trask, Helen Akiona, James Hu’eu, Jr., Kamakahukilani Von Oelhoffen, Parley Kanakaole, Apolonia Day, Bobby Alcaine, Lilikala Kame’eleihiwa, Lydia La’eha, Helen Kanawaliwali O’Connor, Kekuni Blaisdell, Florence Lerback, Paul Neves, Pele Hanoa, Attwood Makanani, Henry Smith, Henry Auwae, Martina Whitehead, Naleen Andrade, Minerva Kaawa, Genesis Lee Loy, and Elaine Needham.

Includes Leo Anderson Akana’s Song of Sovereignty, performed by the Peter Moon Band.
1989… (altro)

“Let’s make haupia with Kupuna Helen Haleola Lee Hong”)

Larry Kimura visits Helen Haleola Lee Hong at the Keliihoomalu family residence in Kaimū in the Puna district of Hawai‘i island, to learn how to prepare haupia (coconut pudding) and talk story about earlier times.


Assisted by Sammy Keliihoomalu, Helen shows how to select and husk the coconuts, demonstrates old and new ways of grating the coconut and cooks up the ingredients on the stove. While waiting for the haupia to cool, she reminisces about her younger days in Puna.

Videotaped July 19, 1990, while lava flows were covering nearby Kalapana homes.… (altro)

Tuti Kanahele visits Esther Makuaole who makes her home on Kaua‘i. Following a long-established tradition taught to her as a young girl in Kona, Esther skillfully weaves pāpale (hats) made of lau hala and other materials.


The exquisite beauty of her work is revealed as she demonstrates the tools and the styles of weaving.

Videotaped July 31, 1990 at Waimea, Kaua‘i.

Nā Hulu Kūpuna is a series of video portraits featuring Hawaiians of the kupuna (grandparent) generation sharing knowledge and stories in their native language.… (altro)