An informative lecture series promoted by local sponsors to perpetuate the Hawaiian Culture. Offered FREE of charge from September thru April every year, see Events Calendar for schedule.
Rubellite Kawena Johnson is a prolific writer and educator who has authored many books and papers highlighting Hawaiian culture and history. As an expert in Hawaiian culture, history and religion, Dr. Johnson offers a fresh look at how our ancestors understood the environment, and created the Kumulipo Hawaiian Chant of Creation to pass down this understanding to our generation. Her family history places Dr. Johnson in a unique position to instill deep understanding on these subjects: a native Hawaiian and lineal descendant of Kuali’i and Kamehameha, Dr. Johnson is also a descendant of the great chiefs of Hawai’i.
Among Dr. Johnson's credits are Emeritus Professor of Hawaiian Language and Literature at the University of Hawai’i; recipient of the Living Treasure Award from Honpa Hongwanji; recipient of the Hawai’i Award for Literature from the State Foundation Culture and the Arts and The Hawai’i Literary Arts Council.
A Personal Biography
Jonathan Kay Kamakawiwo‘ole Osorio
Jonathan Kay Kamakawiwo’ole Osorio is a scholar of nineteenth century Hawaiian political and social history and a dedicated activist and advocate for Hawaiian self-determination. A full professor at and former Director of the Kamakakokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies, Dr. Osorio has developed and taught classes in history, law as culture, music as historical texts, and indigenous research methodologies. He helped design the Master of Arts degree in Hawaiian studies, and assisted in creating a new School of Hawaiian Knowledge. He has attended and organized protests and demonstrations for a number of worthy causes. Dr. Osorio called for Hawai’i's decolonization at the Permanent Forum for Indigenous Issues at the UN. He is the author of Dismembering Lahui, detailing the colonization of Hawai’i as a slow and insinuative process that heavily depended on Hawaiians being converted to the law.
Dr. Osorio is a Christian husband and father enthusiastically involved in family activities. His love for mankind and boundless energy for change is evident in his philosophies regarding peace, environmentalism, and the protection of Hawaiian culture. His visionary goal is that the Hawaiian sovereignty movement will ultimately produce a nation and government devoted to peace and disarmament, careful management of our lands and waters, and protective of the cultural diversity that has defined Hawai’i.
Biography Kepa Maly, Cultural Historian–Resource Specialist
& Ho‘opa‘a Kumu Hula
As a young boy, Kepa learned the Hawaiian language, as well as cultural practices and values, from native küpuna (elders). Raised on the islands of O’ahu and Lana’i, Kepa participated in 1975 in a ’uniki, as po’o pua’a, of Halau Hula o Ma’iki, and is instructor of traditional chant and dance (aho’opa’a kumu hula). For thirty-five years, Kepa has devoted himself to learning and documenting Hawaiian traditions and practices from many küpuna — learning cultural truths from previous generations.
In 1995, Kepa and his wife Onaona formed Kumu Pono Associates LLC, with a focus on researching and writing historical documentaries; conducting detailed oral histories; developing preservation and resource management plans, and writing interpretive plans for a variety of state projects. Kepa and Onaona live on the island of Lana’i, where their dedication to cultural preservation extends to their own backyard. So far, they have developed a museum and heritage center in conjunction with the community (the Lana’i Culture & Heritage Center), and are currently developing plans to ensure long-term management of Lana’i's cultural and natural resources.
Māhealani Pai and Chadd Paishon truly represent the achievements that begin with effective collaboration.
A cultural Specialist at Kamehameha School, Keauhou-Kahalu‘u Education Group (formerly with Kamehameha Investment Corporation), Māhealani Pai leads the restoration efforts of select ma kai (ocean) sites areas nā ahupua‘a of Kahalu‘u and Keauhou.
Makali‘i Navigator and Captain of Nā Kālai Wa‘a Moku o Hawai‘i, Chadd Paishon, provides a learning venue in Keauhou-Kahalu‘u, effectively connecting the ‘āina (land), kai (ocean), and lani (heavens).
Together, Māhealani and Chadd work diligently to advance the environmental kinship concept, emphasizing mai poina, (the remembrance of lost ancestors), and cultivating a deeper understanding of these cultural values and program efforts.
Do humans and corals share a special bond? A study of an ancient Hawaiian geneology chant, the Kumulipo, says yes. Corals are the first ancestors from which generations of biodiversity follow. A recent study conducted by researchers at The University of Hawai‘’i at Hilo reveal astonishing findings about the design and structure of corals. This presentation briefly describes the knowledge of corals as understood by Hawaiians and what marine geneticists have found about the kinship between corals and humans.
In this presentation, Dr. Charles Pe‘ape‘a Makawalu Burrows discusses key Hawaiian conservation values including:
Mana: Faith, Respect for Nature
Kapu and Noa: Sacred and Release, or protecting the sanctity of the mana in humans and nature
‘Ike: Knowledge or keen observation of the natural world
‘Āina: The Living Earth as living entity
Lokahi: Unity, Balance, Harmony, similar to homeostasis
Mālama ‘Āina: Caring for the Earth, Stewardship of Creation
Chemist and Biologist Dr. Burrows, president of ‘Ahahui Mālama I Ka Lōkahi, (a nonprofit native Hawaiian environmental organization), also serves on the boards of several Kailua community organizations on O’ahu which advocate for the protection, conservation, and restoration of Kailua ahupua‘a‘s cultural and natural resources. Retired in 2000 after 35 years of service as a science educator, Dr. Burrows remains active as a member of the Kaho‘olawe Island Reserve Commission, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Native Hawaiian Historic Preservation Council, and the Hawai’i Interfaith Power and Light, and serves on the United Church of Christ National Energy and Environment Committee.
In early 2009, Governor Lingle asked the U.S. Supreme Court to affirm that the State of Hawai’i has good title to Ceded Lands, further stating that Hawaiians have a moral but not legal claim to these lands. But what are Ceded Lands and why are claims made of these lands so important?
In this presentation, political scientist Dr. David Keanu Sai draws upon his extensive research completed for his dissertation and recently written law journal article. He presents the historical and legal context of the Hawaiian Kingdom government and annexation of Hawai’i to the United States, inclusive of the 1898 Joint Resolution of Annexation which served as the basis of the Governor's request. Dr. Sai reveals the issues around Ceded Lands and as clearly, offers several steps toward resolution.
According to Dr. Jeffrey Yin, the influence we have on our environment and fellow humans is global; therefore, our kuleana, our responsibility, is also global. Modern technology, itself a cause of global warming, also offers unique answers to the problem. Harnessing natural energy in a sustainable way offers an unprecedented opportunity to balance society's energy needs with kuleana, effectively caring for the environment and the people.
Dr. Yin, a Honolulu native, graduated in 1991 from Kamehameha Schools. Drawn to atmospheric sciences as an undergraduate at Harvard University, Dr. Yin earned his Ph.D. in atmospheric sciences in 2002 from the University of Washington. Inspired by a desire to understand climate variations and their influence on humans, Dr. Yin spent five years in postdoctoral research at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado. Dr. Yin currently serves as a Resource Assessment Scientist at 3TIER, Inc., providing weather and climate information to renewable energy industries.
Dr. Pualani Kanahele is of pure Hawaiian descent, raised in a hula tradition that spans many generations. She is responsible to her ancestral and matrilineal lineage. She knows the forests, the mountain, volcanism and the ocean of her homeland; these too are her responsibility. Educated in Western institutions, Pua earned a Bachelor of Arts degree and, at the age of 69 in the winter of 2006, received an Honorary Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Hawai’i at Mänoa. Currently, Dr. Kanahele heads a team of cultural researchers who are reestablishing an archaic system of knowledge that includes Papahulilani (those of the heaven, sky), Papahulihonua (those of the earth), and Papahänaumoku (those who are born).
Dr. Kanahele also serves as President of Edith Kanaka’ole Foundation, a family foundation that focuses on promoting and elevating Hawaiian cultural knowledge and intelligence. She is a Kumu Hula and is also Director of Hawaiian Traditional Knowledge Research with the Hawai’i Community College.
Part of the Conservancy staff for over 20 years, Sam has brought his expertise to
the organization in a variety of capacities. As the Ecologist for the Hawai’i
Natural Heritage Program of The Nature Conservancy of Hawai’i from 1986 -
1999, he conducted biological inventories and produced biological reports and
management recommendations for The Conservancy, their partner federal, state,
and local agencies, and for private organizations. As the coordinator for the
Hawai’i Natural Heritage Program from 1992 to 1994, Sam managed a staff of 15
and an annual budget of over $1 million. As Director of Science he guided the
scientific efforts behind the vision and operations of The Nature Conservancy of
Hawai’i. In his current role as Senior Scientist and Cultural Advisor, Sam
continues his guidance and adds his cultural expertise to enhance the mission
and many facets of The Conservancy.
Sam has over 30 years of experience in Hawaiian ecology. This experience
includes biological inventories and research, field ecology, entomology,
arachnology, ethology, natural community classification, and biological database
management.
He also has extensive knowledge of Hawaiian culture, history, and language
which are all an important asset when working with the local communities. He
has applied his expertise of island conservation in cooperative projects and
workshops in the Galapagos Islands, the Philippines, Pohnpei, Palau, Jamaica,
Okinawa, Amazonia, and Rapanui. As an excellent public speaker, Sam often
lends his knowledge to conservation agencies, community groups, donors, and
important visitors.
Sam is an active member of The Nature Conservancy of Hawai’i and an
Advisory Committee member for the ’Ōhi’a Project (Hawaiian natural history
curriculum development). Additionally, he serves as a Hawaiian natural history
and culture consultant for the Moanalua Gardens Foundation (and its transition
status in the Papahana Kuaola Hawaiian Education Center), sits on the steering
committee of the ’Ahahui Mālama i ka Lōkahi (Hawaiians for the preservation of
native ecosystems), and on the Restoration Advisory Group for the Kaho’olawe
Island Reserve Commission. He has served on panels of the Office of Hawaiian
Affairs on the topic of traditional management of natural resources, and sits on
the Hawaiian leadership committee advising the Hawai’i Life Sciences
Consortium. Sam serves on the Board of Trustees for the Native Hawaiian
Culture and Arts Program (NHCAP), the Bishop Museum Association Council,
and as an at-large member of the Hawai’i State Board of Land and Natural
Resources.
For over 12 years Sam studied oli (traditional Hawaiian chant) and hula with
Kumu John Keolamaka’āinana Lake, a master of Hawaiian religion and cultural
protocols; training that culminated in his ’uniki (traditional rite of passage) in
February 2003 as a kahuna kākalaleo, practitioner of Hawaiian chant and
protocol. In that capacity he serves as Kahuna Pule at the heiau of Pu’u Koholā at
Kawaihae, as part of Nā Wa`a Lālani Kāhuna o Pu’u Koholā. Before his passing,
Kumu Lake gave Sam the kuleana to continue teaching oli for the hālau on
O’ahu, a heavy but joyful responsibility. Sam strives to blend the richness of
unique Hawaiian ecosystems with the equally rich culture that developed here.
Sam received his bachelor’s degree in Zoology at the University of Hawai’i at
Mānoa. He then went on to receive his masters in Zoology and doctorate in
Animal Behavior at the University of California, Davis. He holds an affiliate
faculty post with the Department of Urban and Regional Planning at the
University of Hawai’i.
Dr. James P. Kauahikaua, Scientist-in-Charge at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory and Park Ranger Andrea Kaawaloa-Okita from Hawaii Volcanoes National Park talk about the science and mythology of Hawaiian volcanoes.
Dr. Manulani Aluli Meyer, using humor and interactive teaching techniques, explains "‘Ike ‘Āina: Sustainability in the context of Hawaiian epistemology." 65 minutes. Taped October 23, 2009 in Keauhou, Hawaii.
Dr. William Steiner, UHH College of Agriculture, Dr. Dennis Gonsalves, Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center, and Jerry Konanui, Association of Hawaiian Awa, present three perspectives on this controversial issue.
Kawika Winter, director of the Limahuli Garden and Preserve on Kaua‘i, describes Hawaiian land management techniques and how they can be applied today.
