Native Hawaiian

Since 1946, the Aloha Festivals has showcased Hawaiian culture, offering events encompassing music, dance, and history to educate and inspire an appreciation for native customs and heritage. This year is the 75th Anniversary of Aloha Festivals, and while the major live events have been cancelled again due to the pandemic, those involved still take immense pride in the history of the celebration.

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs is justifying its recent purchase of two commercial properties in Iwilei on Oʻahu by saying revenue generated will benefit Native Hawaiians. But the money could also have been spent directly in the community or used to purchase culturally significant land in need of greater stewardship. HPR’s Kuʻuwehi Hiraishi has more on why the purchase was made.

A respected educator and cultural leader, Kumu Hinaleimoana Wong met HPR in Waikiki to visit Kapaemahu, the majestic healing stones at the edge of Kūhiō Beach that are linked to healers who were not specifically male or female. In Western culture, especially in American culture, there's great emphasis placed on a label, Kumu Hina said.

About 200 Kumu Hula, or Hula teachers, have now signed on to a statement declaring what hula is, and how to protect its future. The Huamakahikina Declaration on the Integrity, Stewardship and Protection of Hula was drafted at a congress of hula practitioners this past September. Two of them joined The Aloha Friday Conversation to walk us through some of the major ideas.

Puʻu O Kaimukī Park just behind the Kaimukī Fire Station was once home to a heiau, or temple, dedicated to navigation. This history has been captured in a community-led mural now on display at the park. HPR's Kuʻuwehi Hiraishi has the story.

Today on The Conversation: East-West Center Senior Fellow Denny Roy discusses China-Taiwan and China-U.S. relations; Hawaiʻi Pacific University’s Oceanic Institute uses a federal grant to engage STEM majors; Honolulu Civil Beat's Suevon Lee reports on educators exiting teaching; Botanist Patti Welton reflects on three decades of conservation work at Haleakalā National Park; and Mānoa Honey & Mead's Yuki Uzuhashi celebrates the natural flavors gathered by his bees.

Today on The Conversation: East-West Center Senior Fellow Denny Roy discusses China-Taiwan and China-U.S. relations; Hawaiʻi Pacific University’s Oceanic Institute uses a federal grant to engage STEM majors; Honolulu Civil Beat's Suevon Lee reports on educators exiting teaching; Botanist Patti Welton reflects on three decades of conservation work at Haleakalā National Park; and Mānoa Honey & Mead's Yuki Uzuhashi celebrates the natural flavors gathered by his bees.

Kawaiahaʻo Church was established in 1820 and soon became the primary place of worship for Hawaiian royalty, but many of the church’s records remained in filing cabinets in the basement.

Hawaiʻi is forming a task force to study the issue of missing and murdered Native Hawaiian women and girls. The state House created the panel, which aims to gather data and identify the reasons behind the problem. Few figures currently exist, but those that do suggest Native Hawaiians are disproportionately represented among the state’s sex trafficking victims.

Federal legislation introduced by Congressman Kaialiʻi Kahele would pave the way for more Native Hawaiians to inherit Hawaiian Home Lands awarded to their parents or grandparents.